A solar thermal control system includes a membrane configured to receive solar energy, wherein the membrane is configured to form a cavity between the membrane and an outer surface of a structure by coupling to the outer surface, and wherein the solar energy is configured to heat air within the cavity. The control system also includes a thermal collection unit configured to connect to the cavity and receive and direct air from the cavity, and a ducting system coupled to the thermal collection unit and configured to direct air from the thermal collection unit to at least one of the interior of the structure and a vent.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

Falling particle solar receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that include one non-linear falling particle curtain or two or more falling particle curtains within a solar receiver that receives incident solar radiation. The particles heated in the solar receiver may be used to heat a secondary fluid. In an embodiment, the particles may be recirculated to improve energy capture and thermal efficiency. In other embodiments, an air curtain may be used across the aperture of the receiver, and flow-control devices may be used to evenly spread particles across the width of the receiver inlet. Finally, feed particles may be preheated using heat from the solar receiver.

A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation into the outer surface of a concrete wall. The heat transfer device makes use of a fluid in a tube system to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation into the outer surface of a concrete wall. The heat transfer device makes use of a fluid in a tube system to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

The present invention relates to the utilization of solar energy for generation of electricity and/or production of clean fuels or other chemicals, as a means for long term, transportable storage of inherently intermittent solar energy.

The present invention relates to the utilization of solar energy for generation of electricity and/or production of clean fuels or other chemicals, as a means for long term, transportable storage of inherently intermittent solar energy.

An ultra-supercritical (USC) tower-type solar heat absorber includes a grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen, a tube row, and a graphite filling layer. The grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen is assembled by a plurality of grille hot plates. Each of the plurality of grille hot plates includes a liquid-absorbing core and a grille, and is filled with a phase-transition working medium (such as sodium, potassium, and lithium) and pumped to a vacuum state. When sunlight is reflected and concentrated on the grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen, the phase-transition working medium absorbs heat and evaporates on an evaporation surface of a grille hot plate, is condensed on a condensation surface of the grille hot plate, and returns to the liquid-absorbing core through a grille to produce a stable two-phase flow, which allows efficient heat transfer, homogenizes a surface heat-flow density, and greatly reduces a temperature difference and a thermal stress on a surface of the grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen.

An ultra-supercritical (USC) tower-type solar heat absorber includes a grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen, a tube row, and a graphite filling layer. The grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen is assembled by a plurality of grille hot plates. Each of the plurality of grille hot plates includes a liquid-absorbing core and a grille, and is filled with a phase-transition working medium (such as sodium, potassium, and lithium) and pumped to a vacuum state. When sunlight is reflected and concentrated on the grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen, the phase-transition working medium absorbs heat and evaporates on an evaporation surface of a grille hot plate, is condensed on a condensation surface of the grille hot plate, and returns to the liquid-absorbing core through a grille to produce a stable two-phase flow, which allows efficient heat transfer, homogenizes a surface heat-flow density, and greatly reduces a temperature difference and a thermal stress on a surface of the grille-hot-plate current-sharing screen.