A solar thermal collector for heating a fluid with absorbed solar thermal energy from solar radiations is provided. The solar thermal collector comprises an inlet configured to supply the fluid into the solar thermal collector, an outlet configured to evacuate the fluid from the solar thermal collector, and a solar absorber having an absorber plate and a base plate. The absorber plate has an absorber plate perimeter and an absorbing surface configured for absorbing the solar thermal energy from solar radiations. The base plate is connected to the absorber plate along the entire absorber plate perimeter so as to define a sealed cavity. The base plate and the absorber plate are connected at a plurality of contact points distributed so as to create an array of junctures across the sealed cavity, thereby allowing the fluid to circulate throughout the sealed cavity when flowing from the inlet to the outlet.

The present invention typically features integrative configurability for transportation/storage, and disintegrative configurability for operation. Two half-cases are coupled to obtain a case. A case is uncoupled to obtain two half-cases. Each half-case houses a solar panel (pivotably connected to the half-case) and a U-bar (pivotably connected to the solar panel). The solar panel is pivoted away from the half-case's interior to the angle-of-inclination desired for collecting solar energy. The U-bar is pivoted away from the solar panel's back to securely fit into one of plural parallel slots provided across the half-case's interior, the U-bar thereby holding the solar panel in place at the desired angle-of-inclination. The half-cases are laid flat individually to collect solar energy. A half-case is compacted by pivoting the U-bar proximate the solar panel's back and pivoting the solar panel proximate the half-case's interior. Two complementary half-cases, each compacted, are (re)attached to form a portable case.

A heating and/or cooling module for a photovoltaic panel includes a 3D-textile core having a first main surface and a second main surface parallel thereto, together enclosing a volume, and a plurality of piles attaching the main surfaces to each other. An inlet is provided into the volume and an outlet out of the volume, so that a fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet through the volume. At least one of the first main surface and the second main surface includes a plastic sealing layer, and that the first and second main surface are connected to each other by melting of the plastic sealing layer. A method of manufacturing such a module and a photovoltaic panel with such a module.

An encasement system or bay for the delivery of solar powered devices that is installed and structurally integrated into a building is provided. The encasement system or bay houses solar powered devices, such as solar heaters, solar coolers and photovoltaic devices, into a roof and/or wall of a building. As the solar devices are housed in the encasement system or bay, and the bay is embedded in the roof or wall of the building, the components of the solar devices are not exposed to the elements, and thereby have an increased output efficiency. Should the solar devices need repair or replacement, the encasement systems can be easily accessed, and the solar devices repaired or replaced, without a need for replacing the encasement system.

An encasement system or bay for the delivery of solar powered devices that is installed and structurally integrated into a building is provided. The encasement system or bay houses solar powered devices, such as solar heaters, solar coolers and photovoltaic devices, into a roof and/or wall of a building. As the solar devices are housed in the encasement system or bay, and the bay is embedded in the roof or wall of the building, the components of the solar devices are not exposed to the elements, and thereby have an increased output efficiency. Should the solar devices need repair or replacement, the encasement systems can be easily accessed, and the solar devices repaired or replaced, without a need for replacing the encasement system.

A solar heat collecting device of the flat panel type, a process for its manufacture and parts thereof, made of extruded profiles in particular of aluminum or aluminum alloys. The device comprises a casing accommodating a heat collector assembly comprising a plurality of elongate extruded heat collector bodies, side by side, each having a tube co-axial with its axis of extrusion, flanked on each of its opposite sides integrally by an extruded web and further comprising a manifold at each end to which the respective tube ends are sealingly and communicatingly brazed. The edges of the adjoining webs of adjoining elongate bodies overlap slightly but are movable free of mechanical constraint or mutual attachment in relation to one another. Together the elongate bodies present the incoming solar radiation with a substantially plane uninterrupted area for absorption.

A solar collector housing that is opened and closed without tools includes structure for accommodating temperature-related expansion and contraction of a polymer absorber housed within the collector. The housing includes a transparent cover, a frame for holding the transparent cover, and a base. The cover, frame and base collectively define a hollow interior within which the polymer absorber is positioned. A plurality of latches is secured to an exterior of the frame. The frame and base are pivotally connected to one another when the latches are open so that the collector housing can be opened. The housing cannot be opened when the latches are closed. A pair of variable gate closure components are positioned in slots formed in a second end of the collector and enable the polymer absorber to expand and contract without placing stress on the absorber tubes.

A reflective concentrator can include a primary reflector and a secondary reflector located radially outward of the primary reflector. The primary reflector can be a rotationally-symmetric, convex conical shape, radial sections of which may include an off-axis parabolic reflector with a focal point radially outward of the primary reflector. A secondary reflector may be located radially outward of the primary reflector, and may include a rotationally symmetric section of a toroidal space surrounding the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the secondary reflector may be convex or concave. Incident sunlight generally aligned with a rotational axis of symmetry of the primary reflector may be reflected off of the primary reflector, off of the secondary reflector, and back towards a point near the central peak of the primary reflector. The reflective concentrator may be aerodynamically stable, and may include an aerodynamic fairing on its read side to further increase the aerodynamic stability of the structure.

A reflective concentrator can include a primary reflector and a secondary reflector located radially outward of the primary reflector. The primary reflector can be a rotationally-symmetric, convex conical shape, radial sections of which may include an off-axis parabolic reflector with a focal point radially outward of the primary reflector. A secondary reflector may be located radially outward of the primary reflector, and may include a rotationally symmetric section of a toroidal space surrounding the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the secondary reflector may be convex or concave. Incident sunlight generally aligned with a rotational axis of symmetry of the primary reflector may be reflected off of the primary reflector, off of the secondary reflector, and back towards a point near the central peak of the primary reflector. The reflective concentrator may be aerodynamically stable, and may include an aerodynamic fairing on its read side to further increase the aerodynamic stability of the structure.

A solar water heater absorber absorbs the sun's energy on the surface of a twin-walled polycarbonate panel and conducts the heat from the sun through the panel wall into fluid flow through channels of the panel. The panel is an extruded polycarbonate glazing material that consists of two panes connected by longitudinal ribs to form a plurality of water channels that may further include twisted strips providing a helical water flow pattern that increases turbulence within the water channels. The panel is connected to large pipes or headers on the top and bottom ends of the panel that receive the heated fluid from the water channels, allow the heated fluid to exit the panel, and for return water to re-enter the panel in a solar water heating system.