A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.

A hardened solar thermal energy collector (STEC) system that is adapted to withstand a nuclear detonation or other powerful explosion in the vicinity. The STEC system comprises a plurality of collector tubes arranged side by side in an array that carry and circulate a working fluid, each of the plurality of collecting tubes having an upper radiation collection surface having a diffractive optical structure and a bottom surface, a supporting tray upon which each of the collector tubes is securely mounted, an insulated housing set beneath a ground surface level enclosing the plurality of collector rubes and supporting trays, and a secured underground geothermal storage unit fluidly coupled to the array of collector tubes. The housing, the plurality of collector tubes, and the tray are positioned such that topmost portions thereof are at the ground surface level or below.

A system and methods for heating and cooling are provided. The system may include an energy collector and an adaptive panel connected to the energy collector. The adaptive panel may a radiative cooling layer configured to dissipate heat from the energy collector. The radiative cooling layer may further include a thermo-responsive polymer configured to adjust transparency depending on temperature. The system may include a solar heating layer configured to absorb solar irradiation that passes through the radiative cooling layer and transfer heat to the energy collector.

A system for producing electricity from solar energy is provided. The system includes a solar panel for disposing such that solar radiation impinges thereon. The solar panel includes fluid pipes configured for heating fluid therein by the solar radiation. The system further includes a fluid container in fluid communication with the fluid pipes, having an inlet configured to receive heated fluid from the solar panel and an outlet configured to transfer fluid back to the solar panel; a gas line disposed in the fluid container, the gas line having a liquid gas being configured to evaporate by the heat generated by the fluid and to increase thereby pressure in the gas line; and a turbine having a rotor configured to convert rotating motion to electricity, the turbine being configured to receive evaporated gas from the gas line and the evaporated gas is configured to rotate the motor.

Facades, roofs, and greenhouses that may capable of self-cooling are provided. For example, a façade for a greenhouse may include an internal glass wall and an external glass wall in a parallel plane to the internal glass wall and separated from the internal glass wall by a first distance. The distance may be configured to permit passage of a heat transfer liquid. The internal glass wall can include a first face, facing the external glass wall. The first face of the internal glass wall can include a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation into the heat transfer liquid when in operation.

Facades, roofs, and greenhouses that may capable of self-cooling are provided. For example, a façade for a greenhouse may include an internal glass wall and an external glass wall in a parallel plane to the internal glass wall and separated from the internal glass wall by a first distance. The distance may be configured to permit passage of a heat transfer liquid. The internal glass wall can include a first face, facing the external glass wall. The first face of the internal glass wall can include a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation into the heat transfer liquid when in operation.

The thermal hybrid tank is a multifunctional tank with a shape that makes for easy construction and assembly while maximizing the ability of thermal syphoning. This invention can store an inlet liquid and thermal energy from a heat exchanger, for outlet usage in multiple applications. The tank typically has a pitch coupling front surface and a downward angled front surface which together allows for coupling with the heat exchanger and a roof decking or a solar panel, of which could be a liquid cooled PV solar panel, or a solar focusing panel, or a roof structure.

The thermal hybrid tank is a multifunctional tank with a shape that makes for easy construction and assembly while maximizing the ability of thermal syphoning. This invention can store an inlet liquid and thermal energy from a heat exchanger, for outlet usage in multiple applications. The tank typically has a pitch coupling front surface and a downward angled front surface which together allows for coupling with the heat exchanger and a roof decking or a solar panel, of which could be a liquid cooled PV solar panel, or a solar focusing panel, or a roof structure.

Energy storage systems are disclosed. The systems may store energy as heat in a high temperature liquid, and the heat may be converted to electricity by absorbing radiation emitted from the high temperature liquid via one or more photovoltaic devices when the high temperature liquid is transported through an array of conduits. Some aspects described herein relate to reducing deposition of sublimated material from the conduits onto the photovoltaic devices.

Energy storage systems are disclosed. The systems may store energy as heat in a high temperature liquid, and the heat may be converted to electricity by absorbing radiation emitted from the high temperature liquid via one or more photovoltaic devices when the high temperature liquid is transported through an array of conduits. Some aspects described herein relate to reducing deposition of sublimated material from the conduits onto the photovoltaic devices.