The invention, in some embodiments, relates to solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to liquid-air transpired solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to thermal energy transfer systems that comprise solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of constructing solar energy collectors are provided.

The invention relates to a thermal energy storage with at least one thermal energy storage volume. The thermal energy storage comprises at least one primary borehole extending from ground level to a first predetermined depth in a rock body; at least one set of secondary boreholes located around the at least one primary borehole; and at least an upper and a lower fracture plane extending in a radial and/or oblique plane from the at least one primary borehole towards adjacent secondary boreholes. At least one fracture plane permits a hydraulic flow between at least one of the secondary boreholes and the primary borehole. Each thermal energy storage volume is defined by one set of secondary boreholes and its upper and lower fracture planes. The set of secondary boreholes diverge away from the at least one primary borehole at each fractured plane level, without intersecting the at least one primary borehole.

Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.

Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.

A continuous flow treatment apparatus comprises a heating fluid management portion and a feces treatment portion. The heating fluid management portion is configured to heat heating fluid and provide the heated heating fluid to a heat exchanger. The feces treatment portion comprises the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is configured to receive feces at a first position of the heat exchanger, indirectly heat the feces via the heated heating fluid as the feces are transported from the first position to a second position of the heat exchanger, and provide the heated feces at the second position. The feces are maintained at a minimum temperature for a predetermined amount of time such that the feces exiting the feces treatment portion have been rendered sanitary for at least one of storage or further processing.

A solar panel (302) for heating a target fluid using incident solar radiation is described, the solar panel (302) includes: three major edges (306) arranged so that the solar panel (302) can be inscribed in a triangle with each major edge (308) of the panel (302) lying along at least a portion of a side of the triangle; a cavity for retaining the target fluid; and an inlet and an outlet for the target fluid, for exchanging the target fluid with adjacent solar panels (302).

A solar panel (302) for heating a target fluid using incident solar radiation is described, the solar panel (302) includes: three major edges (306) arranged so that the solar panel (302) can be inscribed in a triangle with each major edge (308) of the panel (302) lying along at least a portion of a side of the triangle; a cavity for retaining the target fluid; and an inlet and an outlet for the target fluid, for exchanging the target fluid with adjacent solar panels (302).

A solar water heating system can be implemented utilizing an innovative flat-shaped heat pipe as a primary heat transfer device. The system can include two small insulated rectangular ducts at the top and a large insulated rectangular duct at the bottom of the flat-shaped heat pipe. An absorber, positioned to receive, collect, and transfer solar heat, can be integrated into the system, complemented by a glass cover to minimize heat loss. The flat-shaped heat pipe, which can be constructed from a copper plate with porous wicks on its inner surfaces, can be filled with a working fluid. Solar irradiation incident through the glass cover on the absorber triggers the evaporation of the working fluid, absorbing latent heat. Subsequently, the vapor moves and transfers evenly to both sides of the flat-shaped heat pipe, facilitating the transfer of heat to water flowing through the rectangular ducts situated outside the flat-shaped heat pipe. This configuration optimizes energy efficiency, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution for solar water heating applications.

A solar water heating system can be implemented utilizing an innovative flat-shaped heat pipe as a primary heat transfer device. The system can include two small insulated rectangular ducts at the top and a large insulated rectangular duct at the bottom of the flat-shaped heat pipe. An absorber, positioned to receive, collect, and transfer solar heat, can be integrated into the system, complemented by a glass cover to minimize heat loss. The flat-shaped heat pipe, which can be constructed from a copper plate with porous wicks on its inner surfaces, can be filled with a working fluid. Solar irradiation incident through the glass cover on the absorber triggers the evaporation of the working fluid, absorbing latent heat. Subsequently, the vapor moves and transfers evenly to both sides of the flat-shaped heat pipe, facilitating the transfer of heat to water flowing through the rectangular ducts situated outside the flat-shaped heat pipe. This configuration optimizes energy efficiency, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution for solar water heating applications.

A solar thermal absorber including a spectrally selective filter comprising a stack of dielectric layers and one or more semiconductor absorber layers. The dielectric layers are transparent to infrared radiation and have a refractive index contrast, and the semiconductor absorber layers have a band gap, such that the semiconductor absorber layers absorb at least a portion of the solar spectrum and the stack reflects infrared radiation.