A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have inlet and outlet fluid lines in fluid communication via manifolds with a cold fluid supply line and a warm fluid return line, respectively. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed thereto to face the sun. The plates have dividers or partitions that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.

A portable solar heating device that having a mat shaped flexible main body with bounded edges, the main body including a front flexible layer formed of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation, a back flexible heat insulating layer, and a flexible electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer located between the front and back layer, the electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer including a plurality of protrusions extending towards the front flexible layer, at least one allowing ambient fluids into a fluid heating chamber located between the front layer and the electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer and at least one outlet allowing heated fluids to escape from the chamber, an electric fan attached to the outlet to assist in moving heated fluids out from the chamber, and at least one solar cell for powering the electric fan.

A portable solar heating device that having a mat shaped flexible main body with bounded edges, the main body including a front flexible layer formed of a material transparent to electromagnetic radiation, a back flexible heat insulating layer, and a flexible electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer located between the front and back layer, the electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer including a plurality of protrusions extending towards the front flexible layer, at least one allowing ambient fluids into a fluid heating chamber located between the front layer and the electromagnetic radiation absorbing layer and at least one outlet allowing heated fluids to escape from the chamber, an electric fan attached to the outlet to assist in moving heated fluids out from the chamber, and at least one solar cell for powering the electric fan.

A Multiple Bifacial Photovoltaic Transparent Panels Thermal Triangles Reflective Minors Ensemble system which is configured to be oriented towards the sun and relative to the horizon, the mirrors reflecting the sunray to the bifacial PV panels front, back and underside faces. There is a plurality of rhombus or trapeze shaped sunray path openings, mounted on a small footprint, above a two axes tracking mechanism. Further, an Micro-Electric Power Station MEPS capable of obtaining energy from a plurality of Rear/Back and side sun ray reflectors sources, located in between various bifacial photovoltaic transparent solar thermal panels. The reflector sources may include an integrated laminated mirror film around the inside of a casing/envelope of a rhombus thin (e.g. glass) box or of transparent sunrays magnifying concentrator envelope balloon. The MEPS facility may be mounted above streets and traffic junctions, on a structure which may be referred to as Micro-Grid Electric Pylons MGEP.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

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.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

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.