An external solar receiver, for a concentrating thermodynamic solar power plant of the type with a tower and heliostat field, has a wind tight modular inner structure, also called “casing,” and a plurality of heat exchanger tube receiver panels fastened to that inner structure. Each panel has a plurality of metal boxes supporting the heat exchanger tubes and assembled to one another by assembly means allowing the disassembly, each box being covered with thermal insulation via an anchor. The tubes are secured to the boxes by a removable and floating connector.

Embodiments relate to an enhanced method for installing solar roofs by primarily reducing the installation time. The design is for a roofing shingle with an embedded solar module that installs intuitively like normal roofing shingles without special tools, fasteners or alignment. The shingle structure is molded out of low thermal expansion plastic composite and is compatible with commercial photovoltaic modules as well as solar infrared radiation absorbing devices.

Embodiments relate to an enhanced method for installing solar roofs by primarily reducing the installation time. The design is for a roofing shingle with an embedded solar module that installs intuitively like normal roofing shingles without special tools, fasteners or alignment. The shingle structure is molded out of low thermal expansion plastic composite and is compatible with commercial photovoltaic modules as well as solar infrared radiation absorbing devices.

A hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panel based cogeneration system and heat pump and non-tracking non-imaging solar concentrator based CSP stabilized power generation system comprises a hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panel based cogeneration subsystem to cogenerate electricity and heat, a heat pump subsystem to raise the temperature of the cogenerated heat, a non-tracking non-imaging solar concentrator based CSP subsystem to further upgrade the cogenerated thermal energy, a thermal storage to store the cogenerated heat, and a thermal power regeneration system to take the stored cogenerated heat to regenerate power. The power output of the cogeneration subsystem supplemented with the power output from the thermal power regeneration system realizes stabilized power output.

The present invention relates to a solar system for providing volumetric energy reproducing the effect of a combustion flame for a high-temperature industrial process, characterized in that it comprises: a solar receiver exposed to concentrated solar radiation, in which heat transfer fluid (liquid or gas) is brought to high temperature; at least one high-temperature chamber in which said high-temperature industrial process is performed; injection means of the heat transfer fluid in the form of a gas jet reproducing a combustion flame in the at least one high-temperature chamber. The present invention also relates to a process for providing volumetric energy reproducing the effect of a combustion flame for this purpose.

A central receiver for a solar power facility is provided comprising an arrangement of heat absorber tubes located in a chamber having a window that, in use, is to receive solar radiation reflected by a heliostat field. The heat absorber tubes extend transversely relative to the window and are connected into a working fluid circuit. The window forms an atmospheric air inlet and the chamber has an outlet in a region opposite the window. An air flow promoting fan induces a flow of atmospheric air inwards through the window, past the absorber tubes; and through the outlet. The receiver preferably includes multiple rows of unpressurized louvers or panes having oblique frontal surfaces such that reflected rays travel into the chamber and provide a leading row in which the temperature of the louvers is, under operating conditions, maintained at a level low enough to reduce thermal reflection and radiation losses.

Heat exchanger assemblies and methods for providing heat exchange as well as methods providing specific energy to predetermined materials within an assembly as well as gas turbine engines as well as methods of powering same are provided. Heating assemblies are provided that can include: a heat-sinking substrate; and a selective emitter layer in thermal communication with the substrate. These assemblies can be provided as part of heat exchanger assemblies. Methods for providing heat to a fluid are also provided that can include heating a layer upon a substrate to provide photons of a predetermined wavelength to a fluid from the layer. Turbine combustion engines are also provided that can include a turbine having at least a portion of the blades in the hot section of the turbine coated with an emissivity layer in thermal communication with the turbine blade. Methods for powering turbine combustion engines are also provided.

The present invention limits fluid temperature at a point in a fluidic system to below a predetermined temperature by cooling the fluid when needed and without requiring a separate cold fluid source. The present invention “clips” the temperature of the fluid at a point in the system to within a temperature range and prevents overcooling the fluid. When the fluid temperature is below the temperature range, the temperature of the fluid is unchanged as it passes through the apparatus of the present invention. The present invention may operate without external power, can function in any orientation, and works for unpressurized and pressurized systems. The present invention has application in the areas of solar thermal energy systems, fluid tanks, engine oil and coolant systems, transmission fluid systems, hydraulic systems, machining fluid systems, cutting fluid systems, nuclear reactors and chemical reactors, among others.

A solar thermal collector adapted to be assembled from a flat pack configuration, comprising a conduit (6) configured to carry fluid and to absorb radiation, a base (1) above which the conduit (6) is mounted and a plurality of panels configured to interconnect with the base (1) to produce a housing (8) for the conduit (6).

A hybrid receiver for a concentrator photovoltaic-thermal power system combines a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module and a thermal module that converts concentrated sunlight into electrical energy and thermal heat. Heat transfer fluid flowing through a cooling block removes waste heat generated by photovoltaic cells in the CPV module. The heat transfer fluid then flows through a helical tube illuminated by sunlight that misses the CPV module. Only one fluid system is used to both remove the photovoltaic-cell waste heat and capture high-temperature thermal energy from sunlight. Fluid leaving the hybrid receiver can have a temperature greater than 200° C., and therefore may be used as a source of process heat for a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The hybrid receiver can maintain the photovoltaic cells at temperatures below 110° C. while achieving overall energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%.