The invention relates to a pipeline system for a linearly concentrating solar power plant (1) with at least one receiver line (13), in which a heat transfer medium is heated by radiating solar energy, or with a central receiver and at least one emptying tank (21) and/or one store for the heat transfer medium, the heat transfer medium having a vapor pressure of less than 0.5 bar at the maximum operating temperature. Furthermore, a gas displacement system (31) is comprised, which connects gas spaces in the at least one emptying tank (21) and/or in the store for the heat transfer medium to one another and which has a central gas store (35) and/or a central gas connection (37) and a central exhaust gas outlet (39), through which gas can be discharged into the surroundings.

The invention belongs to the technical field of solar thermal power generation equipment, and discloses a combined solar thermal power generation system. The system comprises a parabolic trough collector subsystem, a heat exchanger subsystem, a Rankine cycle power generation subsystem and a dish power generation subsystem; the parabolic trough collector subsystem comprises a trough-type mirror field, a pump and a valve; the heat exchanger subsystem comprises a superheater, an evaporator and a preheater; the Rankine cycle power generation subsystem comprises a temperature-decreased pressure reducer, a steam turbine, an electric generator, a condenser, a condensate pump, a deaerator and a feedwater pump; and the dish power generation subsystem comprises a dish-type mirror field and a Stirling engine set. The system utilizes the heat released by the cold chamber of the Stirling engine by condensed fluid of the Rankine cycle. It provides an extra heat source for the Rankine cycle, which increases the power of the steam turbine and improves the solar to electric efficiency of the thermal power generation system.

A solar automatic heat collecting and equalizing tube, including: a glass tube, an absorption tube, and a baffle. The glass tube is sleeved on the absorption tube. The absorption tube is coated with a heat absorption layer. The space between the glass tube and the absorption tube is vacuum. The baffle is disposed in the inner cavity of the absorption tube and is configured to drive a fluid in the absorption tube to tumble up and down alternately. The baffle is spiral in shape and fixed in the absorption tube.

Examples are provided herein that relate to solar heating with a solar refraction device. One example provides a solar heating system, comprising a container configured to enclose contents within the container in a closed configuration, and a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points positioned to heat the contents enclosed within the container, each focal point corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies.

A solar collector that comprises a conduit for a working fluid, and a parabolic trough reflector arranged to focus reflected sunlight onto the conduit. The parabolic trough reflector is arranged to pivot around the conduit.

Systems and methods for generating electrical power using a solar power system that comprises a pressurized closed loop pipe containing a transfer liquid extending between a solar collector and a heat exchanger. The transfer liquid is heated by the solar collector and gives up its thermal energy at the heat exchange to produce steam. The system also includes a source of geothermal energy and a source of natural gas. The geothermal energy in the form of heat separates the natural gas from the ground water in a separation tank. At the resulting heated ground water from the separation tank is connected to the heat exchanger to supplement thermal energy from the solar collector.

A solar energy driven power generation system includes a solar energy receiver configured to collect solar energy. A vapor generator is operably connected to the solar energy receiver. A vapor turbine is operably connected to the vapor generator and is configured to be driven by a flow of vapor from the vapor generator. An electrical power generator is operably connected to the vapor turbine and driven thereby. A thermal conditioning system is operably connected to the vapor turbine and is driven by a flow of output vapor or hot liquid from the vapor turbine. A method of power generation includes collecting solar thermal energy and generating vapor utilizing the solar thermal energy. A vapor turbine is driven by the vapor and electrical power is produced via the rotation of the vapor turbine. Output vapor from the vapor turbine is utilized to drive a thermal conditioning system.

A single thermal energy storage tank is used so that costs can be reduced and an installation space can also be reduced compared to a case where two tanks, i.e., a high temperature tank and a low temperature tank are provided. In addition, the single thermal energy storage tank includes a porous block so that passage of molten salt can be more easily performed and flow pressure drop can be reduced. In addition, the porous block is configured by stacking a plurality of unit blocks so that the capacity of the single thermal energy storage tank can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, a plurality of single thermal energy storage tanks are connected in parallel so that the plurality of single thermal energy storage tanks can be selectively used according to an operation load and thus the solar thermal power generation system can easily cope with the operation load.

A hybrid solar concentrator that utilizes one or more dielectric mirrors to isolate components of the solar spectrum compatible with specific PV band-gaps and to pass longer wavelengths through to a heat receiver, generating both electricity and heat from a single set of dual-axis heliostats.

Broadband reflectors include a UV-reflective multilayer optical film and a VIS/IR-reflective layer. In various embodiments, the VIS/IR reflective layer may be a reflective metal layer or a multilayer optical film. Concentrated solar power systems and methods of harnessing solar energy using the broadband reflectors and optionally comprising a celestial tracking mechanism are also disclosed.