Non-imaging solar collectors that generate both electrical energy and thermal energy through the use of a novel solar absorber assembly inside a transparent housing with a wide-angle concentrator are disclosed. One or more minichannels or heat pipes comprise part of the absorber assembly, and effectively remove heat from photovoltaic solar cells adjacent and/or attached to the minichannels or heat pipes, thereby cooling and improving the efficiency of the solar cells while at the same time transferring heat to a fluid flowing through the minichannel(s). Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing non-imaging solar collectors that generate both electrical and thermal energy.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

A cladding panel that collects and/or emits thermal energy, which includes: a first panel; a second panel with an extrados adhered to an intrados of the first panel, forming a leaktight seal, with a low-relief channel, the channel being attached to the intrados of the first panel to form a conduit; an inlet connector for heat-conducting fluid, connected to a first end of the channel; and an outlet connector for heat-conducting fluid, connected to a second end of the channel, wherein the first panel is made of calibrated laminated ceramic with a flat, smooth intrados and a flat, smooth extrados and has a uniform thickness of 3-6 mm, and the second panel is made of waterproof heat-insulating plastic that is stable up to 120 C.

A cladding panel that collects and/or emits thermal energy, which includes: a first panel; a second panel with an extrados adhered to an intrados of the first panel, forming a leaktight seal, with a low-relief channel, the channel being attached to the intrados of the first panel to form a conduit; an inlet connector for heat-conducting fluid, connected to a first end of the channel; and an outlet connector for heat-conducting fluid, connected to a second end of the channel, wherein the first panel is made of calibrated laminated ceramic with a flat, smooth intrados and a flat, smooth extrados and has a uniform thickness of 3-6 mm, and the second panel is made of waterproof heat-insulating plastic that is stable up to 120 C.

This invention provides a solar fluid heating panel with fluid conduits that allow a fluid to be heated by the sun. It also provides a mounting system and weather sealing system that allow the panels to replace a traditional roof. The roof replacing panels can be installed quickly using mounting brackets attached to roof purlins. The panels can allow natural ambient light to enter the building while harnessing the sun's energy to heat fluid within the conduits.

A heat exchange unit for a solar photovoltaic panel comprising backing plate comprising U-channeling depressed in an upper surface thereof flexible tubing positioned within the U-channeling configured to carry fluid; and rear panel, the rear panel being positioned behind the backing plate, the rear panel having a reflective surface to reflect heat from the backing plate; wherein the heat exchange unit is configured to be positioned in thermal contact with a solar panel, with the flexible tubing between the backing plate and solar photovoltaic panel to facilitate heat exchange between the flexible tubing and the solar panel.

A solar window system for a building includes multiple heat generation encasements each including thermoelectric sheets, where the thermoelectric sheets are positioned inside a housing having an interior metal layer. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. Inside each heat generation encasement, there are pipes filled with Phase-Change Material (PCM) materials that help provide heating to the building. The solar window system further includes a storage tank on top of the system filled with PCM materials for storing heat from the heated air, the storage tank being connected to the pipes of each heat generation encasement. The solar window system includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank. The solar window system also includes circular movable rings that can be open and closed as needed. These rings are located around each heat generation encasement and have two movable flexible solar panels capable of generating electricity.

A solar window system for a building includes multiple heat generation encasements each including thermoelectric sheets, where the thermoelectric sheets are positioned inside a housing having an interior metal layer. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. Inside each heat generation encasement, there are pipes filled with Phase-Change Material (PCM) materials that help provide heating to the building. The solar window system further includes a storage tank on top of the system filled with PCM materials for storing heat from the heated air, the storage tank being connected to the pipes of each heat generation encasement. The solar window system includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank. The solar window system also includes circular movable rings that can be open and closed as needed. These rings are located around each heat generation encasement and have two movable flexible solar panels capable of generating electricity.