In one embodiment, a solar heat collecting system includes a heat collector configured to heat a heat medium by a sunray. The system further includes a heater configured to heat a heating target fluid by the heat medium. The system further includes a heat medium pipe configured to circulate the heat medium between the heat collector and the heater. The system further includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heat collector toward the heater, at a position located upstream of an initial bent portion of the heat medium pipe in a region where the heat medium pipe extends from the heat collector toward the heater. The system further includes a controller configured to control heating of the heat medium in accordance with the temperature of the heat medium measured by the temperature sensor.

Methods and systems for providing an impedance heat transfer fluid heating system in association with a parabolic trough solar concentrator are provided. The system includes an intermediate terminal connector that electrically interconnects a receiver tube of the parabolic trough solar concentrator to a power supply. The intermediate terminal connector can include a pair of plates running parallel to the receiver tube. The system additionally includes a pair of end terminal connectors. Each end terminal connector features a receiver tube plate having an aperture that completely surrounds the receiver tube assembly pipe. The end terminal connectors can additionally include a terminal connector extension that is at an angle to the receiver tube plate. A current return conductor extends between an end terminal connector and the power supply. The current return conductor is supported by the collector frame or structure and/or a receiver tube support structure.

A solar heat collection apparatus heats a heating medium flowing through a heat collecting tube by collecting sunlight in the heat collecting tube using a curved surface mirror. The heat collecting tube includes an inner tube through which the heating medium flows, an outer tube provided on an outer side of the inner tube, and a bellows, a flange, and a cylinder member connecting the inner tube to the outer tube. An insulating space is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube, and an exhaust hole that communicates with the insulating space is formed in the flange. The exhaust hole is sealed by a sealing member welded to the flange. As a result, damage to the outer tube can be prevented, and heat collecting tubes can be more easily connected to each other in the lengthwise direction.

An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

A method for manufacturing an all-glass solar heat collecting tube without a tail pipe. The bottom of one end of an inner glass tube plated by a selective absorbing coating layer is rounded, the other end is connected to a first glass outer tube. The bottom of one end of a second glass outer tube is rounded and the other end is flared. The connected inner glass tube/first glass outer tube is inserted into the second glass outer tube. A gap is formed between the first glass outer tube and the second glass outer tube to serve as an air exhausting channel. The first glass outer tube is inserted into the flared opening of the second glass outer tube. The contact point between the first glass outer tube and the second glass outer tube is heated to frit seal and butt joint.

A receiver system for a Fresnel solar plant is provided. The system includes an absorber tube defining a longitudinal direction and a mirror array that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction. The mirror array has a mirror-symmetrical curve profile having at least one top apex for concentrating light beams onto the absorber tube. The mirror array has ventilation holes in the region of the apex.

The invention includes a parabolic solar concentrator typified by a highly integrated structure whereby, mirror, aerodynamic elements, a shell structure, cooling elements and other elements have been integrated to form a unibody structure, which is both stiffer and lighter than traditional trough structures. The invention includes; aerodynamic features that greatly limit lift forces induced by high speed winds, a receiver with liquid cooling for better control of PV cell temperatures and which allows for the collection of the heat for beneficial use, accommodations for a solar tracker, and improvements in the focusing and distribution of light using secondary mirrors. The receiver incorporates specific details to improve heat transfer and reduce parasitic pumping loads and incorporates secondary mirrors to increase light acceptance angles. Automated mirror washing is addressed. In applications where the heat is un-utilized the integrated radiator is employed to dissipate the heat using both convection and radiation heat transfer.

A solar energy converter comprising: a solar energy absorber, the solar energy absorber comprising a photovoltaic element; a heat transfer element in thermal contact with the solar energy absorber; a primary heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heat transfer element; a secondary heat exchanger; and a heat transfer control element; wherein the heat transfer control element is arranged to selectively place the secondary heat exchanger either in thermal contact with the heat transfer element or out of thermal contact with the heat transfer element.

An improvised Solar Concentrator and Absorber/Receiver Subsystem using a Dual-Stage Parabolic Concentrator for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) (Thermal) system comprises of two parabolic mirrored reflectors wherein their apertures face each other with their focal point/line and axes coincides with each other, a plurality of absorber tubes/cavities placed on the non-reflecting side of the primary and/or secondary reflectors to carry heat transfer fluid, combined with relevant mechanisms to prevent/minimize thermal loss, mounted on a Sun tracking mechanism. For Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) and Concentrating Hybrid Thermo-Photovoltaic (CHTPV) Systems, all or a portion of the reflectors' reflecting and/or exterior surfaces would be covered or substituted with suitable photovoltaic panels.

The disclosed invention relates to solar-thermal receiver tubes for heating high-temperature fluids such as molten salts and oils, such as those used in conjunction with trough reflectors or concentric concentrators. The disclosed invention utilizes fused silica receiver tube assemblies that provide optical absorption by way of optically-absorbing media that is imbedded within the thermal transfer fluid, preferably comprising inorganic dyes that comprise pulverized thin film coatings or dissolved materials that are specifically designed for maximizing optical absorption. Alternatively, the chemistry of the transfer fluid can be modified to increase optical absorption, or the optically absorbing media may comprise fine powders with density preferably similar to the thermal transfer fluid, such as fine graphite powder; or, in another preferred embodiment, absorbing means within the heat transfer fluid comprise a solid absorbing element disposed along the central axis of the receiver tube's interior.