A polymer consisting of small functional molecules can be integrated into solar thermal fuels in the solid-state for solar energy harvesting and storage. In certain embodiments, a solar energy storage device can include one or more layers of photoswitchable moieties associated with a polymer. Such solar thermal fuel polymers can be used to enable deposition from low concentration solutions, resulting in uniform and large-area thin-films. This approach enables conformal deposition on a variety of conducting substrates that can be either flat or structured and control over film growth via electrodeposition conditions and results in highly uniform and large-area thin films.

The integrated solar absorption heat pump system includes an absorption heat pump assembly (AHPA) having a generator, a condenser in fluid communication with the generator, an evaporator/absorber in fluid communication with the condenser and the generator, and a heat exchanger in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber; a solar collector in fluid communication with the generator of the AHPA; a photovoltaic thermal collector in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber of the AHPA; a plurality of pumps configured for pumping a fluid throughout the system to provide the desired heating or cooling; a power storage source, e.g., a solar battery, in communicating relation with the photovoltaic thermal collector; and a coil unit in communicating relation to the evaporator/absorber for receiving an air-stream. The absorption heat pump assembly can include an absorber and a solution heat exchanger.

An integrated solar energy utilization apparatus and system. The apparatus comprises at least one photoelectric conversion component (110) and at least one thermoelectric conversion component (120). The thermoelectric conversion component comprises at least one first thermally conductive terminal (121) for heat inflow, the photoelectric conversion component and the first thermally conductive terminal being thermally conductively connected. In the case that the thermoelectric conversion component is a temperature difference power generation component, the thermoelectric conversion component also comprises at least one second thermally conductive terminal (122) for heat outflow. When the temperature of the first thermally conductive terminal is higher than the temperature of the second thermally conductive terminal, the thermoelectric conversion component outputs electricity. The thermoelectric conversion component is used to further convert the heat generated by the photoelectric conversion component into electricity, the solar energy not utilized by the photoelectric conversion component is thus utilized again, thereby effectively enhancing the energy conversion rate for solar power generation.

The integrated solar absorption heat pump system includes an absorption heat pump assembly (AHPA) having a generator, a condenser in fluid communication with the generator, an evaporator/absorber in fluid communication with the condenser and the generator, and a heat exchanger in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber; a solar collector in fluid communication with the generator of the AHPA; a photovoltaic thermal collector in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber of the AHPA; a plurality of pumps configured for pumping a fluid throughout the system to provide the desired heating or cooling; a power storage source, e.g., a solar battery, in communicating relation with the photovoltaic thermal collector; and a coil unit in communicating relation to the evaporator/absorber for receiving an air-stream. The absorption heat pump assembly can include an absorber and a solution heat exchanger.

A heat receiver, a reactor, and a heater utilize the heat of concentrated solar light for thermal decomposition and/or chemical reaction of coals, etc. The heat receiver includes: a side portion forming a substantially cylindrical side surface; a substantially circular bottom portion connected to the lower edge of the side portion; and a ceiling connected to the upper edge of the side portion. A substantially circular aperture is formed in the center of the ceiling. The heat receiver has a substantially cylindrical cavity and the opening portion is open. When the cavity has a diameter of D and a length of L, and the aperture has a diameter of d, d=D/2 or less and L=2D or more. Concentrated solar light entering the heat receiver is to be contained in the heat receiver to effectively utilize the solar light.

The disclosed technology includes converting solar energy to thermal energy and delivering heat for use in a process. A representative method includes transferring solar energy to a working fluid and transferring energy from the working fluid to a heating element positioned inside a heating well. The heating well contains a thermal energy storage substance (TESS). A controller controls the heating element, which is in thermal communication with the TESS. In some embodiments, the TESS releases and absorbs heat as latent heat, which reduces temperature variation in heat exchange between the heating well and the formation surrounding the heating well. In such embodiments, the TESS is positioned between the heating element and an outer casing of the heating well. In addition to heating wells, the disclosed technology can be applied to other processes involving heat delivery.

The integrated solar absorption heat pump system includes an absorption heat pump assembly (AHPA) having a generator, a condenser in fluid communication with the generator, an evaporator/absorber in fluid communication with the condenser and the generator, and a heat exchanger in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber; a solar collector in fluid communication with the generator of the AHPA; a photovoltaic thermal collector in communicating relation with the evaporator/absorber of the AHPA; a plurality of pumps configured for pumping a fluid throughout the system to provide the desired heating or cooling; a power storage source, e.g., a solar battery, in communicating relation with the photovoltaic thermal collector; and a coil unit in communicating relation to the evaporator/absorber for receiving an air-stream. The absorption heat pump assembly can include an absorber and a solution heat exchanger.

The composite material comprises nitrate and chloride anion inorganic salts which may also comprise sulphates, carbonates and/or nitrites and organic and inorganic nanoparticles, such as graphene, and cations of the alkaline, earth-alkaline, earth, carbon and/or amphigenic chemical groups. Said formulations have chemical and physical characteristics, such as the heat capacity, thermal stability and thermal conductivity thereof which make them optimum for being used as an alternative to the commercially available binary mixture in concentrating solar power plants.

A thermochemical oxidation reactor operably extracts energy from solid solar thermochemical fuel. In another aspect, an oxidation reactor includes a main reactor chamber and an extraction tube connected to the main reactor chamber to directly draw hot gas therefrom. In still a further aspect, an oxidation zone of a thermochemical oxidation reactor has an internal chamber with a larger cross-sectional area A as compared to internal cross-sectional areas B and C of adjacent recuperation and quenching zones of the reactor.