A structure includes a bracket affixed to a substrate. A bracket pole member is affixed to the bracket. A bracket back brace is affixed to the bracket. The bracket back brace is affixed to the substrate. In an embodiment, the bracket back brace includes a back brace member having a beveled end with a threaded bolt attached thereto. The threaded bolt being secured through the bracket via a nut. In an embodiment, the bracket back brace is affixed to a strut of the substrate, and the back brace member has a non-beveled end. The non-beveled end is inserted into either (i) a shackle coupling rotatably affixed to a hinge plate affixed to the strut, or (ii) a side-mount collar affixed to the strut.

An automated wirelessly-controlled solar pool heater including a photothermal module atop a floatation vessel for exposure to the sun, an internal pump assembly, a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the photothermal module, a second temperature sensor for sensing ambient pool water, a microcontroller board with wireless transceiver for remote monitoring and operation, and a solar-charging battery. In operation, the pump assembly self-primes and automatically fills the entire photothermal module with pool water. Water in the photothermal module begins to heat via heat absorption from the sun's rays and, when heated, the microcontroller activates the pump assembly to intermittently expel a partial volume of the heated water back into the pool, simultaneously refilling the photothermal module with unheated pool water. The recirculation program continues until the water temperature of the entire pool reaches its desired temperature.

An automated wirelessly-controlled solar pool heater including a photothermal module atop a floatation vessel for exposure to the sun, an internal pump assembly, a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the photothermal module, a second temperature sensor for sensing ambient pool water, a microcontroller board with wireless transceiver for remote monitoring and operation, and a solar-charging battery. In operation, the pump assembly self-primes and automatically fills the entire photothermal module with pool water. Water in the photothermal module begins to heat via heat absorption from the sun's rays and, when heated, the microcontroller activates the pump assembly to intermittently expel a partial volume of the heated water back into the pool, simultaneously refilling the photothermal module with unheated pool water. The recirculation program continues until the water temperature of the entire pool reaches its desired temperature.

A swimming pool cover with lenses is disclosed. The swimming pool cover uses lenses to focus ambient solar energy into the water of a swimming pool. In one embodiment, a plurality of rectangular lenses is connected at their edges by a minimal amount of connecting or gusset material, in order to create an impermeable sheet, while maximizing the amount of incident solar energy absorbed by the swimming pool water. The swimming pool cover also protects detritus from falling into the swimming pool, while at the same time, reduces the amount of heat loss through evaporation. In another embodiment, the gusset material connects a plurality of lenses, varying in both size and shape.

A swimming pool cover with lenses is disclosed. The swimming pool cover uses lenses to focus ambient solar energy into the water of a swimming pool. In one embodiment, a plurality of rectangular lenses is connected at their edges by a minimal amount of connecting or gusset material, in order to create an impermeable sheet, while maximizing the amount of incident solar energy absorbed by the swimming pool water. The swimming pool cover also protects detritus from falling into the swimming pool, while at the same time, reduces the amount of heat loss through evaporation. In another embodiment, the gusset material connects a plurality of lenses, varying in both size and shape.

An offshore photovoltaic power plant (100) comprising a pliable mat (2) configured to be arranged on a surface (33) of a body of water, the mat (2) having a plurality of photovoltaic modules (1) fixed thereon. The photovoltaic modules may be marinized and equipped with a buoyant rigid aluminium structure which prevents mechanical damage to the cells. The rigid backside structure may also serve as an efficient heat sink by direct thermal conduction from the solar cells to the pliable mat. There is also provided a fish farm, an offshore power plant, a method of constructing an offshore photovoltaic power plant and a method of installing a floating photovoltaic power plant.

Disclosed is a multilayer body, comprising a base (2) and a carbon material layer (1) on the base (2), wherein the base (2) is water-permeable, and the carbon material comprises one or more of the following materials: graphite, graphene, graphene oxide, a chemical function group-modified graphene and carbon nanotubes. Further disclosed are a method for preparing the multilayer body, the use of the multilayer body, and a light-absorbing device containing the multilayer body.

A localized heating structure includes a spectrally-selective solar absorber, that absorbs incident solar radiation and reflects at wavelengths longer than 2 m, with an underlying heat-spreading layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than 50 W/(mK), a thermally insulating layer, adjacent to the spectrally-selective solar absorber, having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W/(mK), one or more evaporation openings through the spectrally-selective solar absorber and the thermally insulating layer, and an evaporation wick, disposed in one or more of the evaporation openings in the thermally insulating layer, that contacts liquid and allows the liquid to be transported from a location beneath the thermally insulating layer through to the spectrally-selective solar absorber in order to generate vapor from the liquid. The thermally insulating layer is configured to have a density less than the liquid so that the localized heating structure is able to float on the liquid.

A localized heating structure includes a spectrally-selective solar absorber, that absorbs incident solar radiation and reflects at wavelengths longer than 2 m, with an underlying heat-spreading layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than 50 W/(mK), a thermally insulating layer, adjacent to the spectrally-selective solar absorber, having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W/(mK), one or more evaporation openings through the spectrally-selective solar absorber and the thermally insulating layer, and an evaporation wick, disposed in one or more of the evaporation openings in the thermally insulating layer, that contacts liquid and allows the liquid to be transported from a location beneath the thermally insulating layer through to the spectrally-selective solar absorber in order to generate vapor from the liquid. The thermally insulating layer is configured to have a density less than the liquid so that the localized heating structure is able to float on the liquid.

Devices, systems and methods for solar powered water heater are provided. A solar powered water heater may comprise a pump, a heater structure and a solar panel. The heater structure in may be in communication with the pump. The solar panel may be in communication with the pump, wherein the pump is powered by the solar panel. In exemplary embodiments, the solar powered water heater floats in a pool or spa and uses solar power to drive a pump which pumps water though a heater structure before returning it to the pool or spa.