Disclosed are a de-icing device for a solar panel and a method of operating the same. The de-icing device for the solar panel and the method of operating the same include a sensor unit, a power supply unit, a switching unit, and a control unit, so that it is possible to provide a high-efficiency de-icing device for the solar panel in which snow deposited on the solar penal may be dissolved by applying a reverse current to the solar panel. In addition, it is possible to provide a high-efficiency and high-precision de-icing device for the solar panel in which solar power generation and de-icing may be simultaneously performed and the amount of the reverse current may be controlled.

Disclosed are a de-icing device for a solar panel and a method of operating the same. The de-icing device for the solar panel and the method of operating the same include a sensor unit, a power supply unit, a switching unit, and a control unit, so that it is possible to provide a high-efficiency de-icing device for the solar panel in which snow deposited on the solar penal may be dissolved by applying a reverse current to the solar panel. In addition, it is possible to provide a high-efficiency and high-precision de-icing device for the solar panel in which solar power generation and de-icing may be simultaneously performed and the amount of the reverse current may be controlled.

A molten salt central receiver arrangement for transferring heat from panels to a molten salt that flows through the panels. A control device allows to change the condition of at least one of the panel arrangements of the molten salt central receiver arrangement depending on at least an operating parameter of at least one panel and/or depending on an environment signal that characterizes the actual or forecast available heat for the heat transfer to the molten salt. In normal operation passes, each having one or more panels, are connected in series such that molten salt flows in a serpentine or alternating way upward and downward through subsequent passes. In a parallel flow condition, molten salt may flow upward through all of the panels in parallel. In a drain condition, the molten salt is forced out of one or more panels and replaced by compressed air.

A molten salt central receiver arrangement for transferring heat from panels to a molten salt that flows through the panels. A control device allows to change the condition of at least one of the panel arrangements of the molten salt central receiver arrangement depending on at least an operating parameter of at least one panel and/or depending on an environment signal that characterizes the actual or forecast available heat for the heat transfer to the molten salt. In normal operation passes, each having one or more panels, are connected in series such that molten salt flows in a serpentine or alternating way upward and downward through subsequent passes. In a parallel flow condition, molten salt may flow upward through all of the panels in parallel. In a drain condition, the molten salt is forced out of one or more panels and replaced by compressed air.

A molten salt central receiver arrangement for transferring heat from panels to a molten salt that flows through the panels. A control device allows to change the condition of at least one of the panel arrangements of the molten salt central receiver arrangement depending on at least an operating parameter of at least one panel and/or depending on an environment signal that characterizes the actual or forecast available heat for the heat transfer to the molten salt. In normal operation passes, each having one or more panels, are connected in series such that molten salt flows in a serpentine or alternating way upward and downward through subsequent passes. In a parallel flow condition, molten salt may flow upward through all of the panels in parallel. In a drain condition, the molten salt is forced out of one or more panels and replaced by compressed air.

A molten salt central receiver arrangement for transferring heat from panels to a molten salt that flows through the panels. A control device allows to change the condition of at least one of the panel arrangements of the molten salt central receiver arrangement depending on at least an operating parameter of at least one panel and/or depending on an environment signal that characterizes the actual or forecast available heat for the heat transfer to the molten salt. In normal operation passes, each having one or more panels, are connected in series such that molten salt flows in a serpentine or alternating way upward and downward through subsequent passes. In a parallel flow condition, molten salt may flow upward through all of the panels in parallel. In a drain condition, the molten salt is forced out of one or more panels and replaced by compressed air.

A freeze prevention valve comprising a body having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for fluid to exit the valve in an open condition, a valve seat (18) provided adjacent an opening (22) of the valve, a piston member (20) that is movable in the body, the piston member comprising a piston shaft and a piston head (24), the piston head (24) arranged to seat against the valve seat (18) in a closed condition of the valve, a temperature sensing device (26) comprising a temperature sensitive element (28), operatively associated with the piston head (24), wherein the temperature sensitive element contracts and expands when the temperature of the fluid sensed by the temperature sensing device decreases or increases, wherein contraction of the temperature sensitive element allows the return spring (30) to move the piston member to unseat the piston head from the valve seat and thereby open the valve.

A freeze prevention valve comprising a body having an inlet (14) and an outlet (16) for fluid to exit the valve in an open condition, a valve seat (18) provided adjacent an opening (22) of the valve, a piston member (20) that is movable in the body, the piston member comprising a piston shaft and a piston head (24), the piston head (24) arranged to seat against the valve seat (18) in a closed condition of the valve, a temperature sensing device (26) comprising a temperature sensitive element (28), operatively associated with the piston head (24), wherein the temperature sensitive element contracts and expands when the temperature of the fluid sensed by the temperature sensing device decreases or increases, wherein contraction of the temperature sensitive element allows the return spring (30) to move the piston member to unseat the piston head from the valve seat and thereby open the valve.

Disclosed are a de-icing device for a solar panel and a method of operating the same. The de-icing device for the solar panel and the method of operating the same include a sensor unit, a power supply unit, a switching unit, and a control unit, so that it is possible to provide a high-efficiency de-icing device for the solar panel in which snow deposited on the solar penal may be dissolved by applying a reverse current to the solar panel. In addition, it is possible to provide a high-efficiency and high-precision de-icing device for the solar panel in which solar power generation and de-icing may be simultaneously performed and the amount of the reverse current may be controlled.

A pump (2) system includes a pump, a sensor (22; 28) arranged in or at a flow path (14), and a concentration measurement device measuring a concentration in liquid inside the flow path (14). The concentration measurement device includes the sensor (22; 28), as a concentration sensor, connected to an evaluation device (26) for evaluating readings of the sensor (22; 28). The evaluation device (26) is connected to a further signal source (20; 24), providing at least one further parameter, and is configured to carry out an evaluation of the reading of the sensor (22; 28), taking into account the further parameter provided by the further signal source (20, 24) to output the concentration in the liquid. A solar heating system includes the pump system.