Thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a plurality of heat absorption bodies for conversion into thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture. The receiver design enables a high penetration of concentrated sunlight deep into the thermal receiver to increase light trapping and reduce thermal losses. The thermal receiver is integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) receiver platform that converts some of the incident light to electricity while passing the remaining light to the thermal receiver. In another embodiment, other thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a sheet of falling particles. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture.

The present invention provides an apparatus for heating a fluid using solar energy. The apparatus comprises: a fluid source, a first chamber comprising a fluid inlet to allow one-way movement of a fluid from the fluid source to the first chamber, a second chamber comprising a fluid outlet to allow the controlled movement of a fluid internal the second chamber to a further chamber or external the apparatus, and a fluid connection between the first and second chambers to allow substantially one-way movement of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. Each of the chambers is fluid tight and configured as a solar collector to heat a fluid therein. The apparatus as a whole operates such that under even incident solar radiation a fluid is heated in each of the chambers and upon thermal expansion of the fluid, the fluid is moved in a controlled manner substantially one-way from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to a further chamber or to the outside the apparatus. By the movement of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, the first chamber donates a portion of the heat energy held by the fluid therein to the second chamber, the second chamber becomes enriched in heat energy by the gain of fluid and the first chamber becomes deprived in energy by the loss of fluid such that the second chamber contains fluid that is hotter than the first chamber.

The present invention provides an apparatus for heating a fluid using solar energy. The apparatus comprises: a fluid source, a first chamber comprising a fluid inlet to allow one-way movement of a fluid from the fluid source to the first chamber, a second chamber comprising a fluid outlet to allow the controlled movement of a fluid internal the second chamber to a further chamber or external the apparatus, and a fluid connection between the first and second chambers to allow substantially one-way movement of a fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. Each of the chambers is fluid tight and configured as a solar collector to heat a fluid therein. The apparatus as a whole operates such that under even incident solar radiation a fluid is heated in each of the chambers and upon thermal expansion of the fluid, the fluid is moved in a controlled manner substantially one-way from the first chamber to the second chamber, and from the second chamber to a further chamber or to the outside the apparatus. By the movement of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, the first chamber donates a portion of the heat energy held by the fluid therein to the second chamber, the second chamber becomes enriched in heat energy by the gain of fluid and the first chamber becomes deprived in energy by the loss of fluid such that the second chamber contains fluid that is hotter than the first chamber.

The invention provides a SolarHearth, a passive solar heating system that includes a work of art that can be mounted on a building, to bring warmed air into the building. The system includes a heat exchange chamber having a display window that contains the work of art, and is is configured to create a passive solar environment to create a natural vacuum. The system further includes means for moving air through the heat exchange chamber, such as an air plenum or fans.

The invention provides a SolarHearth, a passive solar heating system that includes a work of art that can be mounted on a building, to bring warmed air into the building. The system includes a heat exchange chamber having a display window that contains the work of art, and is is configured to create a passive solar environment to create a natural vacuum. The system further includes means for moving air through the heat exchange chamber, such as an air plenum or fans.

A thermal energy storage (TES) for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants consists of a two-tank molten salt storage. There is a provided need for a thermal energy receiving and storage system for CSP plants. To demonstrate how thermocline TES can be used in the CSPonD concept, a water tank is used for receiving a heat transfer fluid, which includes an absorbing mesh that is mountable within the tank for establishing and maintaining natural stratification resulting in a thermocline zone within the tank, and additionally comprises a plug flow injection system for establishing plug flow within the tank. A method of establishing and maintaining natural stratification, involves pumping cold heat transfer fluid, injecting the cold heat transfer fluid, and controlling the pumping and the injecting, all within the tank.

A thermal energy storage (TES) for Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants consists of a two-tank molten salt storage. There is a provided need for a thermal energy receiving and storage system for CSP plants. To demonstrate how thermocline TES can be used in the CSPonD concept, a water tank is used for receiving a heat transfer fluid, which includes an absorbing mesh that is mountable within the tank for establishing and maintaining natural stratification resulting in a thermocline zone within the tank, and additionally comprises a plug flow injection system for establishing plug flow within the tank. A method of establishing and maintaining natural stratification, involves pumping cold heat transfer fluid, injecting the cold heat transfer fluid, and controlling the pumping and the injecting, all within the tank.

Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating are provided. For example, systems for radiative cooling can include a top layer including one or more polymers, where the top layer has high emissivity in at least a portion of the thermal spectrum and an electromagnetic extinction coefficient of approximately zero, absorptivity of approximately zero, and high transmittance in at least a portion of the solar spectrum, and further include a reflective layer including one or more metals, where the reflective layer has high reflectivity in at least a portion of the solar spectrum.

Systems and methods for radiative cooling and heating are provided. For example, systems for radiative cooling can include a top layer including one or more polymers, where the top layer has high emissivity in at least a portion of the thermal spectrum and an electromagnetic extinction coefficient of approximately zero, absorptivity of approximately zero, and high transmittance in at least a portion of the solar spectrum, and further include a reflective layer including one or more metals, where the reflective layer has high reflectivity in at least a portion of the solar spectrum.