A solar collector includes a box shaped collection space bounded by a rectangular bottom (10), a frame (12), and an outer rectangular glass pane (14). The box shaped collection space includes therein an inner rectangular glass pane (16) that is disposed in a first direction from the bottom and is separated from the outer rectangular glass pane by spacers (18). An absorber sheet (20) and at least one fluid conducting riser (22) are positioned intermediate of the bottom and the inner rectangular glass pane. At least two ventilation caps (30) extend in overlying relation of respective corners of the solar collector. Inner sides (32I) of the ventilation caps include a pattern (34P, 34Z) of air ventilation passages that provide at least one ventilation channel that extends from outside the collector space to between the inner and outer rectangular glass panes.

A heliostat contained within a mechanical enclosure is described that optimizes the heliostat for domestic applications by emphasizing features of durability, protection from outside weather, low cost of manufacture, self-powering, light-weight, and aesthetics.

A heliostat contained within a mechanical enclosure is described that optimizes the heliostat for domestic applications by emphasizing features of durability, protection from outside weather, low cost of manufacture, self-powering, light-weight, and aesthetics.

The present invention relates to a system and apparatus which is designed to use parabolic concentrator to focus sunlight onto a receiver which uses a coolant to carry the heat to the heat storage unit. The system comprises a primary loop comprising at least one solar array and at least one heat storage unit. The system further comprises a secondary loop operatively communicating with said primary loop. The solar array comprises plurality of reflector dish assemblies comprising reflector dish means whereby said dish means are arranged in close proximity to each other wherein said dish means being such that high sunlight concentration ratio is obtained for providing high conversion efficiency from heat to electricity.

The present invention relates to a system and apparatus which is designed to use parabolic concentrator to focus sunlight onto a receiver which uses a coolant to carry the heat to the heat storage unit. The system comprises a primary loop comprising at least one solar array and at least one heat storage unit. The system further comprises a secondary loop operatively communicating with said primary loop. The solar array comprises plurality of reflector dish assemblies comprising reflector dish means whereby said dish means are arranged in close proximity to each other wherein said dish means being such that high sunlight concentration ratio is obtained for providing high conversion efficiency from heat to electricity.

A method for improving the efficiency of a solar heating system based on absorbing heat from solar radiation into the outer surface of a concrete wall. The heat transfer device makes use of a fluid in a tube system to transfer heat from the outside of the wall to the inside of the wall. The inside wall is then used to heat air that is passed over it, and that air is then used to heat up a heat storage system.

A method includes coupling a number of sets of N and P thermoelectric legs to a substrate. Each set includes an N thermoelectric leg and a P thermoelectric leg electrically contacting each other through a conductive material on the substrate. The method also includes forming a conductive thin film on another substrate, and coupling the each set on an end thereof away from the substrate to the conductive thin film formed on the another substrate through a pin several times longer than a height of the N thermoelectric leg and the P thermoelectric leg of the each set to form a thermoelectric device.

A transparent sheet includes a texture in relief on a first of its main faces, such that, if n is the refractive index of the material including the texture, P.sub.m is the mean slope in degrees of the textured face and Y(q) is the percentage of the textured surface with a slope greater than q/(n1) in degrees, then the two cumulative conditions exist: Y(q)>3%+f(q) %*P.sub.m*(n1) and Y(q)>10%, with f(q)=24(3*q) and q=2 or 3.

A multifunction flat plate heat exchanger including a heat exchanging flat plate, a spectrum selectivity absorption layer, a light transmissive layer, at least one heat-conductive structure, and at least one airflow driving device is provided. The heat exchanging flat plate has a first plate surface, a second plate surface and a pipe tunnel located between the first plate surface and the second plate surface. The spectrum selectivity absorption layer covers the first plate surface. The light transmissive layer covers the spectrum selectivity absorption layer, and the light transmissive layer and the first plate surface are respectively located at two opposite sides of the spectrum selectivity absorption layer. The heat-conductive structure is disposed on the second plate surface. The airflow driving device is disposed at one side of the heat exchanging flat plate and the heat-conductive structure.

A multifunction flat plate heat exchanger including a heat exchanging flat plate, a spectrum selectivity absorption layer, a light transmissive layer, at least one heat-conductive structure, and at least one airflow driving device is provided. The heat exchanging flat plate has a first plate surface, a second plate surface and a pipe tunnel located between the first plate surface and the second plate surface. The spectrum selectivity absorption layer covers the first plate surface. The light transmissive layer covers the spectrum selectivity absorption layer, and the light transmissive layer and the first plate surface are respectively located at two opposite sides of the spectrum selectivity absorption layer. The heat-conductive structure is disposed on the second plate surface. The airflow driving device is disposed at one side of the heat exchanging flat plate and the heat-conductive structure.