This thermosyphon cooling system cools fluid by thermosyphon to prevent overheating at a solar collector when forced circulation stops. The introduction of the fluidic diode in the thermosyphon heat dump flow path affords more design and installation options, higher reliability, and the opportunity to manufacture solar collectors of less expensive alternative materials.

This thermosyphon cooling system cools fluid by thermosyphon to prevent overheating at a solar collector when forced circulation stops. The introduction of the fluidic diode in the thermosyphon heat dump flow path affords more design and installation options, higher reliability, and the opportunity to manufacture solar collectors of less expensive alternative materials.

A method for constructing a solar heat collector comprises applying a bit array to a sheet of reflective material to create a sheet of solar reflectors, each bit in the bit array creating a solar reflector having a known focal point; and mating the sheet of solar reflectors to a heat absorbing layer such that at least a portion of the heat absorbing layer passes through a focal point of at least some of the solar reflectors.

A building-integrated solar energy system is disclosed that comprises an evacuated closed-loop conduit network circulating a working fluid through a solar thermal collector and at least one heat usage device, wherein the effective entirety of the surfaces of the closed-loop conduit network are in contact with the working fluid such that phase change occurs whenever heat energy is added by the solar thermal collector or removed by a heat usage device. The working fluid is adiabatically isolated and contained in a low pressure environment within the closed-loop conduit network. The full surface contact and low-pressure isolation of the working fluid dramatically reduces temperature differentials and energy losses, allowing for highly efficient and cost-effective heat collection and distribution.

A solar heating system comprising: at least one collector array panel adapted for being located on a sloping roof of a building, the collector array panel including at least one thermosyphon heating tube; a liquid source adapted for supplying liquid to said heating tube of said collector array panel; and a cut-off valve coupled both to: a mains supply for receiving liquid therefrom; and said liquid source for automatically blocking liquid received by said cut-off valve from said mains supply from filling said heating tube of said collector array panel whenever such filling could damage said collector array panel, wherein said cut-off valve operates automatically responsive to light and/or temperature for blocking filling of said heating tube of said collector array panel whenever such filling could damage said collector array panel.

A solar heating system comprising: at least one collector array panel adapted for being located on a sloping roof of a building, the collector array panel including at least one thermosyphon heating tube; a liquid source adapted for supplying liquid to said heating tube of said collector array panel; and a cut-off valve coupled both to: a mains supply for receiving liquid therefrom; and said liquid source for automatically blocking liquid received by said cut-off valve from said mains supply from filling said heating tube of said collector array panel whenever such filling could damage said collector array panel, wherein said cut-off valve operates automatically responsive to light and/or temperature for blocking filling of said heating tube of said collector array panel whenever such filling could damage said collector array panel.

A solar thermal collector comprises a solar heat collector tube and a Fresnel reflector film configured to focus incident solar light on the solar heat collector tube. A solar thermal collector assembly, a solar thermal collector module, a cooling apparatus, and a solar cooker comprising the solar thermal collector are also provided. Also provided is a use of a Fresnel reflector film for collecting solar thermal energy.

A simple and portable solar heat collector has a sheet of solar reflectors, each of the solar reflectors having a focal point, and tubing for routing heat absorbing fluid through the focal point of at least some of the solar reflectors. The tubing has an input tube for receiving heat absorbing fluid and an output tube for outputting heated heat absorbing fluid. The sheet of solar reflectors may have a sun-facing side and a non-sun-facing side. A first part of the tubing is adjacent to the non-sun-facing side of the sheet of solar reflectors, and a second part of the tubing extends from the first part of the tubing through holes in the sheet of solar reflectors to the focal point of at least some of the solar reflectors.

An apparatus and method for simultaneous water disinfection and electricity generation includes a disinfection section and an electricity generating section. In some cases, the disinfection section includes a storage tank and a plurality of transparent vacuum tubes. In addition, the electricity generating section includes a base plate and a plurality of photovoltaic cells. Water disinfection is performed by exposing the disinfection section to sunlight radiation. Electricity generation is carried out by exposing the electricity generating section to the sunlight passing through the plurality of transparent vacuum tubes of the disinfection section.

A building-integrated solar energy system that concurrently provides space heating, space cooling, hot water, and electricity to commercial and residential buildings. The solar energy system comprises an evacuated closed-loop conduit network circulating a working fluid through a solar thermal collector and at least one heat usage device, wherein the effective entirety of the surfaces of the closed-loop conduit network are in contact with the working fluid such that phase change occurs whenever heat energy is added by the solar thermal collector or removed by a heat usage device. The solar energy system further comprises an impermeable outer housing enveloping the closed-loop conduit network and forming an evacuated space located between and defined by the outer surface of the closed-loop conduit network and the inner surface of the impermeable housing such that the working fluid is adiabatically isolated. As a result, the full surface contact and low-pressure isolation of the working fluid dramatically reduces temperature differentials and energy losses, allowing for highly efficient and cost-effective heat collection and distribution.