The solar-powered system for generating steam and distilled water includes a first conduit having an inlet for receiving a feed stream of water and an outlet for dispensing heated water. The first conduit has at least one steam vent for releasing at least a first volume of steam. At least one evacuated tube collector is in fluid communication with the first conduit for solar heating of the feed stream of water to produce the heated water and the at least first volume of steam. At least one boiler is in fluid communication with the first conduit for receiving a portion of the heated water for boiling thereof to produce a second volume of steam. At least one photovoltaic panel is in electrical communication with the at least one boiler for providing power thereto, and a condenser receives the second volume of steam for condensation thereof into distilled water.

A solar collector comprising a wide-angle, nonimaging asymmetric optical reflector comprising a reflective film, an absorber assembly positioned within the optical reflector having a transparent tube evacuated to a vacuum or partial vacuum and at least two pipes with fluid flowing through the pipes, the pipes arranged in a flow-through configuration, wherein the solar acceptance angle of the collector is about 40 degrees, allowing for passive (stationary) solar tracking, and where the solar energy collected is transferred to the fluid in the form of heat. The fluid exiting the solar collector is in the range of 100° C. to 250° C., and the thermal energy of the fluid may be used to generate high-quality steam for solar industrial process heat applications.

There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.

Various implementations include solar thermal energy collection system comprising a solar energy concentrator, a heat transfer fluid, an absorber pipe. The absorber pipe includes a pipe wall and has a central longitudinal axis. The pipe wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has a first contour defining alternating peaks and troughs along a length of the absorber pipe. The outer surface has a second contour defining alternating peaks and troughs along the length of the absorber pipe. The inner surface defines the entire flow path for the heat transfer fluid through the absorber pipe. The first contour, as viewed through an axial cross section of the absorber pipe, forms sinusoidal waves on each side of and spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis. The sinusoidal waves on each side of the central longitudinal axis are symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

Techniques for hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic concentrating thermal collector (PVCTC) includes: a thermal absorber collector; and bent solar panels forming a parabolic shaped trough reflector partially surrounding the thermal absorber collector so as to reflect incident light onto the thermal absorber collector. A PVCTC system including an array of PVCTC units and a method for hybrid electrical and thermal energy production are also provided.

A double-line focusing solar energy collection apparatus, comprising: a heat collector (1) which comprises a primary concentrator (11) and a heat collection tube (12), the primary concentrator (11) having a focus line; a secondary concentrator (3), having a focus line; and a support (2), for supporting the primary concentrator (11), the heat collection tube (12), and the secondary concentrator (3). The heat collection tube (12) is located between the secondary concentrator (3) and the primary concentrator (11), and is located on the focus lines of the primary concentrator (11) and the secondary concentrator (3).

A system for collecting solar energy to be stored and distributed in a multi-unit building to be used for heat and electricity, comprising one or more solar energy collectors, one or more sunlight concentrating mirrors, photovoltaic panels, a heat mass storage area, and thermos siphoning to distribute heat energy throughout the building in conjunction with radiant heating technology.

This invention concerns a receiver unit (10) for a parabolic trough solar plant. The receiver unit (10) has a conduit (12) for conveying a heat transfer fluid (14) and a cover (16), which is located about the conduit (12) such that a vacuum is formed between the conduit and the cover. The conduit (12) is designed to absorb thermal radiation. The cover (16) has a first portion (26) defining a window (22) through which incoming solar radiation (24) passes into the vacuum and onto the conduit (12) and a second portion (28) carrying a reflective surface (20) so as to reflect thermal radiation back onto the conduit (12). The invention also concerns a method of reducing thermal radiation loss from a parabolic trough receiver.

A water purifying and desalination system includes solar concentrators that receive a sunlight and direct the sunlight toward many locations. Heat collection elements positioned at the of locations absorb and convert a solar radiation into thermal energy. Some of heat collection elements include perforations to facilitate a state change in a heat-transfer fluid having a high salinity. A condenser condenses a portion of the heat-transfer fluid using a portion of the heat-transfer fluid as its coolant.

Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.