A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A gas processing system includes an input gas supply, an output gas storage container and/or an inlet to a secondary reactor, and a solar-thermal reactor. The solar-thermal reactor uses a solar collector to focus sunlight onto a reactor, the reactor having a housing that encloses a reaction chamber, a catalyst arranged therein, an inlet for receiving the input gas and an outlet for expelling the output gas. Sunlight is focused by the solar collector to heat the reactor and thereby chemically convert the input gas from the gas supply into the output gas that can be stored in the output gas container or directed towards the secondary reactor.

A gas processing system includes an input gas supply, an output gas storage container and/or an inlet to a secondary reactor, and a solar-thermal reactor. The solar-thermal reactor uses a solar collector to focus sunlight onto a reactor, the reactor having a housing that encloses a reaction chamber, a catalyst arranged therein, an inlet for receiving the input gas and an outlet for expelling the output gas. Sunlight is focused by the solar collector to heat the reactor and thereby chemically convert the input gas from the gas supply into the output gas that can be stored in the output gas container or directed towards the secondary reactor.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A method and apparatus worn by a user for controlling weeds using concentrated solar energy is disclosed. Solar energy may be concentrated by Fresnel lens over the wearer and directed by manual methods by the wearer at surfaces of weed plants to heat portions thereof causing damage. Shutters or other devices may be used to direct, and control intensity of concentrated, solar energy, such control preferably applied before significant concentration of the solar energy. In some embodiments, solar energy concentration apparatus may be integrated with solar photovoltaic cells for generating electric power for purposes such as an electrical temperature sensor, a camera and video display device for viewing underneath a crop canopy, control of solar intensity and other purposes.

A method and apparatus worn by a user for controlling weeds using concentrated solar energy is disclosed. Solar energy may be concentrated by Fresnel lens over the wearer and directed by manual methods by the wearer at surfaces of weed plants to heat portions thereof causing damage. Shutters or other devices may be used to direct, and control intensity of concentrated, solar energy, such control preferably applied before significant concentration of the solar energy. In some embodiments, solar energy concentration apparatus may be integrated with solar photovoltaic cells for generating electric power for purposes such as an electrical temperature sensor, a camera and video display device for viewing underneath a crop canopy, control of solar intensity and other purposes.

A system for utilizing solar power to generate carbon nano-materials. A system for utilizing the carbon dioxide byproduct of a fossil fuel power generation process to drive an electrolysis reaction which produces carbon nano-materials, and methods of producing the same.

A system for utilizing solar power to generate carbon nano-materials. A system for utilizing the carbon dioxide byproduct of a fossil fuel power generation process to drive an electrolysis reaction which produces carbon nano-materials, and methods of producing the same.

The subject invention combines two long-established technologies—cement kilning and solar radiation concentration—to create a new process to kiln cements that will significantly reduce the non-renewable energy consumption and pollution and CO2 generation of current cement kilning methods. The process entails using focused solar radiation to heat closed containers containing cement raw materials to kiln the raw materials to produce cement, including Portland cement.