An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to an integrated system for heat distribution among a plurality of users. In some embodiments, the system includes a separate automatic control of heat distribution to each user and/or separate billing to each user. For example, a system may supply hot fluid to a plurality of apartments in a building and/or in multiple buildings. Optionally, each apartment has separate remote controlled valves controlling flow of heated fluid to the apartment and/or a sensor sensing how much heat enters and leaves the apartment in the hot fluid. In some embodiments, a processor controls the valve and/or receives data from sensors. The processor optionally controls devices that generate and/or store and/or dissipate heat. Optionally the processor predicts energy availability, costs and needs controls valves and/or devices to provide for predicted and/or unexpected needs while reduce cost of the energy.

An improved solar space heater collector may be constructed having a frame with extruded HDPE sides. The sides may have insulating pockets, as well as internally directed extensions for supporting at least one of insulation, absorbers, and/or baffles. Externally and downwardly directed fins may cooperate with shingles and/or flashing to facilitate a proper watertight connection of the collector to the roof. Finally, an improved jaw retainer may have a dual durometer grip which cooperates with a top glass.

An improved commercial solar space heater system for a commercial building consisting of a plurality of solar-energy absorbing units atop the roof of the building providing passive solar heating. Each unit includes a frame having sides defining a heat chamber between a top plate and an absorber as well as an insulating pocket between an inner wall and a support. The heat chamber is enclosed except for an inlet and outlet through which air is directed to be heated. A housing frame holds the frame at an angle conducive to sunray absorption and a curb frame spaces the frame and housing frame from the rooftop when attached to the building. Duct work runs the outlet air from said heat chamber into at least one room of a building and a controller is used for detecting the temperature in the room and directing heat from the outlet into the room when said temperature is below a pre-determined temperature.

A system for hot and cold water supply to consumers that includes photovoltaic solar panel, wind turbine, water heating tank, water tank and cooling system. The heating tank includes an electrical connection mechanism, an outer layer, a water bag and heating carpet that is positioned in a dry space between them. The water tank includes an outer layer and a water bag. The electrical connection mechanism connects the heating carpet and the cooling system to the photovoltaic solar panel and to the wind turbine. The volume of the heating tank or the water tank are larger than the volume of the average hourly hot or cold water consumption of the consumer. The system is able to supply hot and cold water also at times that the photovoltaic solar panel and the wind turbine do not produce electricity.

Systems and methods for a thermosyphonic water heating system for a storage tank. A DC heat pump receives power from a DC power source and heats water via a heat exchanger using a thermosyphonic piping system. A passive back-flushing having a cold water inlet pipe connected to the hot water return pipe draws cold water into the storage tank through the heat exchanger. A vertical array of temperature sensors distributed throughout the storage tank monitor temperature of stored water at multiple heights and a communication unit communicates monitored data to an external control device.

A system for collecting solar energy to be stored and distributed in a multi-unit building to be used for heat and electricity, comprising one or more solar energy collectors, one or more sunlight concentrating mirrors, photovoltaic panels, a heat mass storage area, and thermos siphoning to distribute heat energy throughout the building in conjunction with radiant heating technology.

A solar photovoltaic (PV) water heating system includes a tank (1.020) including at least a first heating unit (1.016) having at least first and second heating elements (1.016.1 . . . 1.016.x), at least one of which is switchable (1.014.1A . . . 1.014.1m); a PV solar collector (1.002); an inverter (1.004) adapted to convert the output from the PV collector to an alternating power supply; a modulator (1.060) to modulate the alternating power supply from the inverter; a controller (1.040) adapted to control the modulator and the switching of the or each switchable heating element; wherein the controller is adapted to control the modulator and the switchable heating elements to maximize the energy drawn from the PC collector.

A heat storage reservoir comprising: at least one input inlet for introduction of gaseous heat transfer fluid, or for introduction of superheated liquid heat transfer fluid, into the heat storage reservoir, and at least one liquid recovery system for recovery of liquid heat transfer fluid from the heat storage reservoir; and/or at least one gas outlet for recovery of gaseous heat transfer fluid from the heat storage reservoir, and at least one output inlet for introduction of liquid heat transfer fluid into the heat storage reservoir; and further comprising a volume of solid granular material, to which volume heat is transferred by means of a phase change from gas to liquid of a heat transfer fluid on contact of the heat transfer fluid with the solid granular material, and/or from which volume heat is transferred by means of a phase change from liquid to gas of a heat transfer fluid on contact of the heat transfer fluid with the solid granular material, which volume is in fluid connection with the at least one input inlet and the at least one liquid recovery system, and/or the at least one gas outlet and the at least one output inlet, and a pressure reduction system in fluid connection with the volume of solid granular material, characterized in that the pressure reduction system is arranged to reduce the gas pressure contribution arising from non-condensable species only.

A greenhouse, for cold weather climates, is configured with a gable that is offset toward the north wall and therefore the south extension of the roof, from the gable to the south wall is longer than the north extension. A greater amount of light can enter through this south extension and the inside surface of the north wall is configured with a reflective surface to allow light to be more uniformly distributed around the plants. The north wall may have no widows and may be thermally insulated to prevent the greenhouse from getting too cold during the night. A ground to air heat transfer (GAHT) system may be configured to produce a flow of greenhouse air under the greenhouse for heat transfer, to moderate the temperature of the greenhouse. A thermal medium may flow to a thermal reservoir for heat exchange with the conduits of the GAHT system.

A heating system for heating a fluid received at an inlet, the system including a first heating device disposed in a first heated line branched from the inlet, wherein a first flow of the fluid through the first heated line is configured to be modulated by a first valve; a second heating device disposed in a second heated line branched from the inlet, wherein a second flow of the fluid through the second heated line is configured to be modulated by a second valve; and a bypass line and a third valve disposed in the bypass line, wherein a flow through the bypass line is configured to be modulated by the third valve, wherein the first and second heating devices and the first, second and third valve are configured to cooperate to heat the fluid at an outlet received from the first and second heated line and the bypass line.