A multi-function solar panel, the panel being of the tilted tray type which is divided into three chambers, one chamber being used for electricity generation, and cooling of the PV panel and partial preheating of the feed water to a still, one for processing the feed water to produce potable water and the other for water storage and other ancillary devices used in the production process and PAYG functionality of the multi-function solar panel.

A housing for a solar panel is provided and is comprised of a glazed element and a tray. The tray includes a plate, a pair of side walls, a top end cap and a bottom end cap. The tray also includes a lip configured to seat the glazed element. Wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap, the bottom end cap are formed of a single material and configured as a single integral component and wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity. Wherein said top end cap includes a top header, said top header extending the length of said top end cap and said top header extending outward from said top end cap and in a direction away from said cavity.

A housing for a solar panel is provided and is comprised of a glazed element and a tray. The tray includes a plate, a pair of side walls, a top end cap and a bottom end cap. The tray also includes a lip configured to seat the glazed element. Wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap, the bottom end cap are formed of a single material and configured as a single integral component and wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity. Wherein said top end cap includes a top header, said top header extending the length of said top end cap and said top header extending outward from said top end cap and in a direction away from said cavity.

The present disclosure describes a method for discharging a hydrogen storage system, which is found in the annular space of a receiver tube, in particular for solar collectors, wherein the annular space is formed between an outer-lying tubular jacket and an inner-lying absorber tube of the receiver tube, and the outer-lying tubular jacket is connected via a wall to the absorber tube in a gas-tight manner. The method is hereby characterized in that an opening penetrating the tubular jacket or the wall is produced, free hydrogen in the annular space is pumped out through the opening, and the opening is subsequently sealed. The disclosure further describes a device for implementing the method.

A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

An eco-smart panel is described comprising a a solar thermal panel, a phase change material, a metal foil layer, and a structural frame constructed of materials including wood studs, gypsum, or fiberglass-reinforced concrete. The materials may be variously configured to create modular systems for fabricating buildings or structures. Eco-smart panels may be utilized to create buildings or structure with enhanced energy efficiency, increased fire resistance, increased flood resistance, and decreased construction cost and time.

An eco-smart panel is described comprising a a solar thermal panel, a phase change material, a metal foil layer, and a structural frame constructed of materials including wood studs, gypsum, or fiberglass-reinforced concrete. The materials may be variously configured to create modular systems for fabricating buildings or structures. Eco-smart panels may be utilized to create buildings or structure with enhanced energy efficiency, increased fire resistance, increased flood resistance, and decreased construction cost and time.

A thermophotovoltaic panel, including a first surface for receiving solar radiation, photovoltaic cells connected to said first receiving surface, a heat exchanger connected to said photovoltaic cells, and a second surface, opposite to the first, for supporting the panel, said heat exchanger being positioned between said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein said photovoltaic cells and said exchanger are embedded in at least one resin, preferably cold-polymerised epoxy resin, to constitute a body including said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein at least one layer of resin at said first receiving surface is constituted of substantially transparent resin.

An inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator powered high temperature thermo-chemical reaction system, which is designed to reduce CO2 into CO and H2O into H2 for liquid fuels such as methanol and kerosene, comprises: 1) an inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator with a transparent cover and a Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC); 2) the first stage of the multi-stage non-imaging non-tracking solar concentrator with a domed divergent Fresnel Lens transparent cover and a CPC; 3) the second stage of the multi-stage non-imaging non-tracking solar concentrator with a domed divergent Fresnel Lens transparent cover and a CPC; 4) a high temperature thermo-chemical reactor with a steel high pressure vessel, an insulation layer, a first CeO2 catalyst layer, and a second CeO2 catalyst layer.