A method for precise control of movement of a motive phase on a lubricant-impregnated surface includes providing a lubricant-impregnated surface, introducing the motive phase onto the lubricant-impregnated surface, and exposing the droplets to an electric and/or magnetic field to induce controlled movement of the droplets on the surface. The lubricant-impregnated surface includes a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating lubricant therebetween or therewithin. The motive phase is immiscible or scarcely miscible with the impregnating lubricant.

A method for precise control of movement of a motive phase on a lubricant-impregnated surface includes providing a lubricant-impregnated surface, introducing the motive phase onto the lubricant-impregnated surface, and exposing the droplets to an electric and/or magnetic field to induce controlled movement of the droplets on the surface. The lubricant-impregnated surface includes a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating lubricant therebetween or therewithin. The motive phase is immiscible or scarcely miscible with the impregnating lubricant.

A double-line focusing solar energy collection apparatus, comprising: a heat collector (1) which comprises a primary concentrator (11) and a heat collection tube (12), the primary concentrator (11) having a focus line; a secondary concentrator (3), having a focus line; and a support (2), for supporting the primary concentrator (11), the heat collection tube (12), and the secondary concentrator (3). The heat collection tube (12) is located between the secondary concentrator (3) and the primary concentrator (11), and is located on the focus lines of the primary concentrator (11) and the secondary concentrator (3).

A thermophotovoltaic panel, including a first surface for receiving solar radiation, photovoltaic cells connected to said first receiving surface, a heat exchanger connected to said photovoltaic cells, and a second surface, opposite to the first, for supporting the panel, said heat exchanger being positioned between said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein said photovoltaic cells and said exchanger are embedded in at least one resin, preferably cold-polymerised epoxy resin, to constitute a body including said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein at least one layer of resin at said first receiving surface is constituted of substantially transparent resin.

A solar energy utilization system includes a solar heat collector that is mounted to a glass surface of a building from the interior and that heats a heating medium by heat energy obtained by taking in solar energy, and an inner glass that is provided on the solar heat collector on the interior side of the building and that uses the heating medium from the solar heat collector on the interior side. A far-infrared cut-off process is applied to the inner glass so that both the absorptivity and emissivity and transmittance of far-infrared rays with a wavelength of at least 9 μm to 10 μm are 20% or less.

A solar energy utilization system includes a solar heat collector that is mounted to a glass surface of a building from the interior and that heats a heating medium by heat energy obtained by taking in solar energy, and an inner glass that is provided on the solar heat collector on the interior side of the building and that uses the heating medium from the solar heat collector on the interior side. A far-infrared cut-off process is applied to the inner glass so that both the absorptivity and emissivity and transmittance of far-infrared rays with a wavelength of at least 9 μm to 10 μm are 20% or less.

An end seal arrangement for a Parabolic Trough solar Collector, PTC, comprises an elongated parabolic reflector trough and a receiver pipe arranged at a focus-line of the reflector trough. The end seal arrangement comprises a housing configured to be fixated to one short-end of the reflector trough, and an inlay configured to be inserted in the housing to slidably abut a circumference of the receiver pipe, such that the reflector trough is sealed to the receiver pipe by the inlay when the housing is fixated to the short-end of the reflector trough and the reflector trough pivots about its focus-line. The end seal arrangement further comprises a fixation means configured to fixate the housing to the reflector trough. By reducing heat leakage and prevent ice, snow, sand, etc. from deteriorating the reflector, improved operational performance will be achieved.

Solar receivers including a plurality of multi-scale solar absorbing surfaces arranged such that light or heat reflected from or emitted from one or more of the plurality of solar absorbing surfaces impinges one or more other solar absorbing surfaces of the solar receiver. The disclosed receivers increase the amount of absorbed energy from a concentrated light source, such as a heliostat field, and reduce radiative and convective heat losses.

A system for collecting solar energy to be stored and distributed in a multi-unit building to be used for heat and electricity, comprising one or more solar energy collectors, one or more sunlight concentrating mirrors, photovoltaic panels, a heat mass storage area, and thermos siphoning to distribute heat energy throughout the building in conjunction with radiant heating technology.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.