A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.

A solar thermal collector and an accessory structure of a building are provided. The solar thermal collector includes at least one heat absorbing plate and at least one heat insulating plate. Each of the heat absorbing plate includes at least one first slab and first engaging parts connected with the first slab. Each of the heat insulating plate includes at least one second slab and second engaging parts connected with the second slab. The first engaging parts are respectively engaged with the second engaging parts, and a gap is maintained between the first slab and the second slab to define a heat collecting channel, through which a heat transfer medium flows between the heat absorbing plate and the heat insulating plate. A heat conductivity of the heat absorbing plate is at least 30 times greater than a heat conductivity of the heat insulating plate.

A solar thermal collector and an accessory structure of a building are provided. The solar thermal collector includes at least one heat absorbing plate and at least one heat insulating plate. Each of the heat absorbing plate includes at least one first slab and first engaging parts connected with the first slab. Each of the heat insulating plate includes at least one second slab and second engaging parts connected with the second slab. The first engaging parts are respectively engaged with the second engaging parts, and a gap is maintained between the first slab and the second slab to define a heat collecting channel, through which a heat transfer medium flows between the heat absorbing plate and the heat insulating plate. A heat conductivity of the heat absorbing plate is at least 30 times greater than a heat conductivity of the heat insulating plate.

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 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.

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 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.

A modular composite panel comprised of a solar photovoltaic panel, a solar thermal collector panel, and an engineered torsion box containing a layer of insulation. Multiple composite panels can form a roof when installed in an array, with panels abutting and situated side-by-side on a structural frame or other suitable support system. A composite panel may span between structural members without requiring intermediate support. A composite panel array can provide weather protection, electricity, and hot water to an enclosed or unenclosed space below. Together with insulated walls, the array of composite panels can provide thermal insulation to an enclosed space below.