A heat collector device is provided. The heat collector includes an exterior surface exposed to an environment, and an interior surface. Side walls separate the exterior and interior surfaces. A heat insulation interposes the exterior and interior surfaces. Each hot air duct includes a first portion interfacing with the external surface and a second portion interfacing with the heat insulation. Each cold air duct is encompassed by the heat insulation. A first chamber formed by a first side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a first end portion of each respective duct. A second chamber formed by a second side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a second end portion of each respective duct. A heat exchange mechanism disposed in the second chamber removes heat from a first fluidic medium of the air ducts, the first chamber, and the second chamber.

A heat collector device is provided. The heat collector includes an exterior surface exposed to an environment, and an interior surface. Side walls separate the exterior and interior surfaces. A heat insulation interposes the exterior and interior surfaces. Each hot air duct includes a first portion interfacing with the external surface and a second portion interfacing with the heat insulation. Each cold air duct is encompassed by the heat insulation. A first chamber formed by a first side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a first end portion of each respective duct. A second chamber formed by a second side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a second end portion of each respective duct. A heat exchange mechanism disposed in the second chamber removes heat from a first fluidic medium of the air ducts, the first chamber, and the second chamber.

A concentrated solar thermal receiver is mounted on a tower to receive concentrated solar thermal energy from a concentrating array of solar reflectors. The receiver comprises a single layered array of tubes configured to carry a heat transfer fluid such as sodium and defining in combination an exposed concentrated solar thermal energy receiving surface. The array of tubes have a lower fluid inlet header communicating with an inlet conduit, and an upper fluid outlet communicating with an outlet conduit. The tubes are arranged in a serpentine configuration and define a fluid flow path which is predominantly transverse and upward. The receiver includes a thermally insulating cover movable between an open position and a closed position in which the solar thermal energy receiving surface is covered to block or reduce the incidence of solar flux on the tubes or to reduce heat loss from the array of tubes when they are not operational.

A concentrated solar thermal receiver is mounted on a tower to receive concentrated solar thermal energy from a concentrating array of solar reflectors. The receiver comprises a single layered array of tubes configured to carry a heat transfer fluid such as sodium and defining in combination an exposed concentrated solar thermal energy receiving surface. The array of tubes have a lower fluid inlet header communicating with an inlet conduit, and an upper fluid outlet communicating with an outlet conduit. The tubes are arranged in a serpentine configuration and define a fluid flow path which is predominantly transverse and upward. The receiver includes a thermally insulating cover movable between an open position and a closed position in which the solar thermal energy receiving surface is covered to block or reduce the incidence of solar flux on the tubes or to reduce heat loss from the array of tubes when they are not operational.

A solar energy capture, conversion and storage system for use on a roof of a building for capturing and converting incident solar radiation to heat and electricity. The invention provides an optimised solar energy capture and conversion system that monitors immediately available incident radiation comprising a mounting structure which supports a matrix in which is embedded a conduit containing a working fluid. The fluid or fluid mixture includes at least one hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE). Valves are arranged to open/close ports which connect the solar energy capture system to either a combined heat/electrical generating system or an energy storage system that incorporates a phase change material to store heat energy. Control of the valves is supervised by an energy management system.

A solar energy capture, conversion and storage system for use on a roof of a building for capturing and converting incident solar radiation to heat and electricity. The invention provides an optimised solar energy capture and conversion system that monitors immediately available incident radiation comprising a mounting structure which supports a matrix in which is embedded a conduit containing a working fluid. The fluid or fluid mixture includes at least one hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE). Valves are arranged to open/close ports which connect the solar energy capture system to either a combined heat/electrical generating system or an energy storage system that incorporates a phase change material to store heat energy. Control of the valves is supervised by an energy management system.

Systems and methods for collecting solar energy and ambient heat are provided. A roof panel includes a metal sheet disposed about an upper end of the roof panel. Heat insulation is disposed below the metal sheet. At least one hot air duct and at least one cold air duct are each formed parallel to a rafter direction and in the plane of the roof panel. Each hot air duct is exposed to a surface of the metal sheet, and each cold air duct is encompassed by the heat insulation. A medium collectively fills the air ducts. A lower air reversing chamber is formed at a lower end portion of the roof panel, and an upper air reversing chamber is formed at an upper end portion of the roof panel. A cooling device is disposed in the upper air reversing chamber.

A thermal insulating apparatus for insulating a building envelope is provided. The thermal insulating apparatus may comprise at least one panel comprising one or more layers of insulating material, and at least one attachment site for joining the thermal insulating apparatus to at least one position of said building envelope. The thermal insulating apparatus may be operable between an open position allowing access to a wall opening, and a closed position in which at least one panel of the thermal insulating apparatus substantially covers and thermally insulates said wall opening. The thermal insulating apparatus may further comprise at least one solar thermal energy collector unit for collecting heat from solar thermal energy from sunlight, and the collected heat may be used for heating a structure such as a home or garage.

A thermal insulating apparatus for insulating a building envelope is provided. The thermal insulating apparatus may comprise at least one panel comprising one or more layers of insulating material, and at least one attachment site for joining the thermal insulating apparatus to at least one position of said building envelope. The thermal insulating apparatus may be operable between an open position allowing access to a wall opening, and a closed position in which at least one panel of the thermal insulating apparatus substantially covers and thermally insulates said wall opening. The thermal insulating apparatus may further comprise at least one solar thermal energy collector unit for collecting heat from solar thermal energy from sunlight, and the collected heat may be used for heating a structure such as a home or garage.

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.