A double point focusing solar energy collection apparatus of the present invention includes a heat collector, a secondary concentrator, and a bracket. The heat collector includes a primary concentrator and a heat collection tube, in which the primary concentrator has a focus point. The secondary concentrator has a focus point. The bracket supports the primary concentrator, the heat collection tube, and the secondary concentrator. The heat collection tube is located between the primary concentrator and the secondary concentrator and located on the focus points of the secondary concentrator and the primary concentrator. By adding the secondary concentrator, which is a rotating paraboloid reflector or circular Fresnel reflector, it can achieve low light loss and high heat collection efficiency, and erosion of the heat collection tube by sand, rain, and snow can be effectively prevented, thereby extending the lifetime of the heat collection tube effectively.

A combined power generation system and method of a small fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor and solar tower is provided, which belongs to the field of new energy and renewable energy application and includes: a nuclear reactor power generation system, a solar tower power generation system and a heat compensation system. Both the nuclear reactor power generation system and the solar tower power generation system adopt supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle system to generate electricity efficiently; molten salt pool in the nuclear reactor power generation system stores high-temperature heat from the modular reactor, and multi-stage temperature heat is utilized for generating power and compensating heat required by the solar tower power generation system.

A combined power generation system and method of a small fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor and solar tower is provided, which belongs to the field of new energy and renewable energy application and includes: a nuclear reactor power generation system, a solar tower power generation system and a heat compensation system. Both the nuclear reactor power generation system and the solar tower power generation system adopt supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle system to generate electricity efficiently; molten salt pool in the nuclear reactor power generation system stores high-temperature heat from the modular reactor, and multi-stage temperature heat is utilized for generating power and compensating heat required by the solar tower power generation system.

A solar-powered generator captures solar energy and generates steam with the energy. The generator includes a container formed with an inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells and an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner and outer spherical walls. The container is formed to allow for sunlight to enter the inner chamber. An inlet port is configured to allow water to enter the outer chamber and an outlet port is configured to allow steam to exit the outer chamber, whereby sunlight entering the inner chamber through the passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface allowing thermal energy to heat the water in the outer chamber to create steam to generate electricity through an external steam turbine. While simultaneously using radiant energy to be absorbed by photovoltaic cells to generate additional electricity.

A heliostat includes a reflecting surface; an elastically deformable frame on which the reflecting surface is mounted; a truss structure behind the elastically deformable frame that includes at least four bracing struts with first ends attached to the elastically deformable frame and second ends attached to at least one node located centrally behind the frame; at least one actuator connected to at least one of the at least four struts at the at least one node; an electronic control system configured to communicate with the least one actuator; and a dual-axis mount to support and orient the above assembly. The actuation of the at least one actuator in response to the electronic control system causes compression or tension of at least one of the at least four bracing struts to thereby control a shape of the reflecting surface and the elastically deformable frame in at least low order bending modes.

A heliostat includes a reflecting surface; an elastically deformable frame on which the reflecting surface is mounted; a truss structure behind the elastically deformable frame that includes at least four bracing struts with first ends attached to the elastically deformable frame and second ends attached to at least one node located centrally behind the frame; at least one actuator connected to at least one of the at least four struts at the at least one node; an electronic control system configured to communicate with the least one actuator; and a dual-axis mount to support and orient the above assembly. The actuation of the at least one actuator in response to the electronic control system causes compression or tension of at least one of the at least four bracing struts to thereby control a shape of the reflecting surface and the elastically deformable frame in at least low order bending modes.

A poly-layered, poly-dimensional solar photovoltaic stack structure may be provided in a tower form. A plurality of solar panels may be stacked on top of one another to create a solar stack tower. Using the solar stack tower, reflection, refraction, diffusion, and transportation of light may transmit photons from a higher area of photon saturation to a lower area of photon saturation. The solar stack tower may provide an enclosed structure, protecting and insulating the solar panels from heat, moisture, dust, and other elements that usually damage solar panels over time.

A reflection unit 31 to 34 has an outer reflection panel 311 to 314 and an inner reflection panel 321 to 324. The outer reflection panel 311 to 314 is disposed around power generation units 22 to 24. The inner reflection panel 321 to 324 is disposed substantively parallel to the outer reflection panel 311 to 314 between the outer reflection panel 311 to 314 and the power generation units 22 to 24. The reflection units 31 to 34 reflects solar light injected into gaps 361 to 364 between the outer reflection panels 311 to 314 and the inner reflection panels 321 to 324 to transmit the solar light into the power generation units 22 to 24.

A dynamic controllable system 10 for moderating energy absorption at the earth's surface includes a series of panel units 110, 610 mounted above the earth's surface over land and water masses. Each panel unit 110, 610 supports rotatable shafts 112, 612, with panels 100, 600 joined to or integrally formed with the shafts 112, 612. Each panel (forcing) 100, 600 has a radiation reflective surface 102, 602 and a radiation emissive surface 104, 604 opposite the radiation reflective surface 102, 602. The panels 100, 602 are selectively rotated into a predetermined one of a plurality of cardinal positions: reflective, emissive and neutral, or into an intermediate position between two of the cardinal positions. The programmable controller 130 receives various data including top of atmosphere satellite data, air temperature and relative humidity at panel units, weather data, time of day, position of panel units, radiation insolation, and combinations thereof. Responsive to real-time data, both local and regional, the programmable controller directs rotational orientation of panels within the panel units, causing a desired reflection of shortwave and longwave radiation away from the earth's surface.

Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.