The invention provides in some aspects a thermal energy collection system comprising a first solar collector through which a first heat transfer fluid flows to absorb energy from sunlight as it passes through the first solar collector, and a second solar collector that collects energy from sunlight that has passed through the first solar collector. The first heat transfer fluid of the thermal energy collection system according to these aspects of the invention is in thermal coupling with the first solar collector, but not with the second solar collector. In other aspects, the invention provides a radiator system, comprising a multi-wall panel, an interior of which is in fluid coupling with, and that forms part of, a fluid circuit through which a first heat transfer fluid flows. A reflective surface is disposed in a vicinity of a second face of the multi-wall panel. Still other aspects of the invention provide a reflective film solar energy collector and a solar energy absorber.

The invention provides in some aspects a thermal energy collection system comprising a first solar collector through which a first heat transfer fluid flows to absorb energy from sunlight as it passes through the first solar collector, and a second solar collector that collects energy from sunlight that has passed through the first solar collector. The first heat transfer fluid of the thermal energy collection system according to these aspects of the invention is in thermal coupling with the first solar collector, but not with the second solar collector. In other aspects, the invention provides a radiator system, comprising a multi-wall panel, an interior of which is in fluid coupling with, and that forms part of, a fluid circuit through which a first heat transfer fluid flows. A reflective surface is disposed in a vicinity of a second face of the multi-wall panel. Still other aspects of the invention provide a reflective film solar energy collector and a solar energy absorber.

A system for energy storage and electricity generation is described. The system includes an energy storage system providing compressed air and an electricity generation system. The electricity generation system includes an airlift pumping system pneumatically coupled to the energy storage system. The airlift pumping system includes a water collecting tank containing collecting water and a riser tube having a base immersed in the collecting water and configured for injection of the compressed air into the riser tube through the air pipeline to provide air bubbles within the riser tube that produce an upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles. The electricity generation system also includes a hydro-electric power system driven by upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles to produce electricity, and a water heating system for heating the collecting water in the water collecting tank.

A system for energy storage and electricity generation is described. The system includes an energy storage system providing compressed air and an electricity generation system. The electricity generation system includes an airlift pumping system pneumatically coupled to the energy storage system. The airlift pumping system includes a water collecting tank containing collecting water and a riser tube having a base immersed in the collecting water and configured for injection of the compressed air into the riser tube through the air pipeline to provide air bubbles within the riser tube that produce an upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles. The electricity generation system also includes a hydro-electric power system driven by upward flow of the collecting water together with the air bubbles to produce electricity, and a water heating system for heating the collecting water in the water collecting tank.

A solar collection system includes an absorption refrigeration system to generate water from atmospheric moisture, and to do so without the use of an electrically operated compressor. At least a portion of the solar energy captured by the solar collection system is used to operate the absorption refrigeration cycle. The absorption refrigeration cycle provides cooling that causes water in the atmosphere to condense into a liquid that can be collected and used for various applications. As one example, the collected liquid can be used for the cleaning of the solar collection system of contaminants like dust or bird drippings. In other applications, the water can be used outside the solar collection system including, but not limited to, irrigation, drinking, and other industrial purposes.

A solar collection system is provided in which an absorption refrigeration system is included to generate water from atmospheric moisture, and to do so without the use of an electrically operated compressor. At least a portion of the solar energy captured by the solar collection system is used to operate the absorption refrigeration cycle. The absorption refrigeration cycle provides cooling that causes water in the atmosphere to condense into a liquid that can be collected and used for various applications. As one example, the collected liquid can be used for the cleaning of the solar collection system of contaminants like dust or bird drippings. In other applications, the water can be used outside the solar collection system including, but not limited to, irrigation, drinking, and other industrial purposes.

The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a containment structure (6) with at least one face exposed to solar radiation, said containment structure (6) comprising a central housing recess (7) and an outer edge (8) that surrounds said central housing recess (7), inside said central recess (7) a primary conduit being arranged for the circulation of a primary heat transfer fluid, exposed to solar radiation, a secondary conduit for the circulation of a secondary fluid, and a heat exchange area between said primary and secondary conduit for the heat exchange between the primary heat transfer fluid and the secondary fluid, said solar collector (1) being characterized in that in at least one portion of said outer edge (8) of the containment structure (6) at least one dissipation conduit (9) is obtained in fluid communication with said primary conduit to dissipate the excess heat to outside said solar collector (1).

The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) comprising a containment structure (6) with at least one face exposed to solar radiation, said containment structure (6) comprising a central housing recess (7) and an outer edge (8) that surrounds said central housing recess (7), inside said central recess (7) a primary conduit being arranged for the circulation of a primary heat transfer fluid, exposed to solar radiation, a secondary conduit for the circulation of a secondary fluid, and a heat exchange area between said primary and secondary conduit for the heat exchange between the primary heat transfer fluid and the secondary fluid, said solar collector (1) being characterized in that in at least one portion of said outer edge (8) of the containment structure (6) at least one dissipation conduit (9) is obtained in fluid communication with said primary conduit to dissipate the excess heat to outside said solar collector (1).

Elliptical cylinder collector for thermal solar energy comprising a first pipe and a reflector surface, which also comprises a second pipe and a third pipe, wherein the reflector surface has a generatrix which is half an ellipse and wherein the second pipe and the third pipe are located at focal points of the ellipse and the first pipe is located on a minor axis of the ellipse at a greater distance from the reflector surface than the second pipe and the third pipe, the first pipe is also located at the focal point of an imaginary parabola whose vertex is located at the negative end of the minor axis of the ellipse.

Elliptical cylinder collector for thermal solar energy comprising a first pipe and a reflector surface, which also comprises a second pipe and a third pipe, wherein the reflector surface has a generatrix which is half an ellipse and wherein the second pipe and the third pipe are located at focal points of the ellipse and the first pipe is located on a minor axis of the ellipse at a greater distance from the reflector surface than the second pipe and the third pipe, the first pipe is also located at the focal point of an imaginary parabola whose vertex is located at the negative end of the minor axis of the ellipse.