A solar power system includes a plurality of solar power cells mounted on a spherical frame; a hemispherical reservoir mounted to the spherical frame to enclose at least a portion of the spherical frame such that a gap is defined between the spherical frame and an interior surface of the reservoir, the reservoir configured to hold a fluid that includes a solar cell cleaning solution; and at least one actuator mounted to the spherical frame and operable to rotate a portion of the spherical frame that supports the plurality of solar power cells through the gap.

A solar rack for supporting a solar panel, said solar rack including a pair of support frames, each support frame including a front member, a bottom member, and a rear member, wherein the front member, the bottom member, and the rear member cooperate to form a triangularly shaped structure; and a trough including two ends and a base, each end of the trough is configured to be attached to a portion of each of the support frames to form a support upon which the solar panel is disposed, the support having bottom surfaces, wherein the base of the trough is configured to be offset with respect to the bottom surfaces of the support.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system provides co-generation of electrical energy and thermal energy. Electrical energy is efficiently generated by photovoltaic panels that are cooled by heat exchangers attached thereto, and the cooling of the photovoltaic panels improves the energy output efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The heat exchangers flow fluid through its channels, and the fluid collects heat from the photovoltaic panels to which the heat exchangers are attached. The heated fluid is then received at and stored in a thermal battery. The thermal battery can be a fluid tank that encourages the fluid to retain the heat collected from the photovoltaic panels. The thermal battery can then supply the heated fluid to thermal loads as thermal energy.

A heating and/or cooling module for a photovoltaic panel includes a 3D-textile core having a first main surface and a second main surface parallel thereto, together enclosing a volume, and a plurality of piles attaching the main surfaces to each other. An inlet is provided into the volume and an outlet out of the volume, so that a fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet through the volume. At least one of the first main surface and the second main surface includes a plastic sealing layer, and that the first and second main surface are connected to each other by melting of the plastic sealing layer. A method of manufacturing such a module and a photovoltaic panel with such a module.

In embodiments, the inefficiencies present in conventional technologies that separately utilize photovoltaic or solar thermal technologies are obviated. Embodiments relate generally to a solar energy collection device having a focusing element with a shape configured to direct collimated incident light to a common focal region. A focus tube is then arranged at the focal region. The focus tube has an internal bore containing a working fluid and also configured to absorb incident and focused light that is and transferred to the working fluid. The focus tube is mechanically coupled to the focusing element with a mounting structure serving to maintain focus tube's position at the focal region. A photovoltaic cell array is then arranged on the focusing element. The photovoltaic cell array comprises a plurality of individual photovoltaic cells, each having a bandgap potential.

An integrated renewable energy and asset system is provided. In some embodiments, the system comprises: an existing parking lot positioned adjacent to a building structure, wherein the existing parking lot has an associated pattern; bore holes that are formed into the existing parking lot, wherein the bore holes are organized based on the pattern of the existing parking lot; vertical columns inserted into at least a first portion of the bore holes, wherein: crossbeams are installed on an upper portion of a vertical column to form a support structure; and a canopy is connected to the crossbeams, wherein the canopy is formed from multiple attached photovoltaic modules and thermal tubes are integrated with the photovoltaic modules; geothermal tubes that capture thermal energy are inserted into at least a second portion of the bore holes, wherein each of the thermal tubes and each of the geothermal tubes is connected to a geothermal heat pump and wherein each of the thermal tubes is connected to the geothermal heat pump; and a hardware processor that is configured to: receive sensor information from sensors disposed on the canopy; determine whether to direct at least a portion of the thermal energy captured using the geothermal tubes to the solar thermal panels based on the received sensor information; and cause the heat captured using the geothermal tubes to be directed to the solar thermal panels based on the determination.

A hybrid solar thermal collector is provided. The hybrid solar collector comprises a photovoltaic element to convert sunlight into electricity; and a solar thermal collector device comprising an absorber element to convert sunlight into heat; wherein the absorber element is immersed in a heat transfer fluid in use.

A heating and power generating apparatus comprises: a frame installed on the roof of a building and having a predetermined area; a plurality of power generating units arranged inside the frame to collect sunlight and generate electricity; and a hot water supply unit buried inside of the frame to absorb sunlight and perform heating and hot water supply. According to the present invention, hot water can be generated by sunlight in the winter to supply hot water and heat a house, and power can be generated by sunlight in the summer to supply power for cooling a room and thus conserve the electrical energy used in a cooler, thus promoting energy saving and environmental protection.

An assembly of units comprised of mirrors assembled along at least one parabolic arc, each mirror having two opposing lateral edges and opposing longitudinal internal and external edges, each of the two mirrors being longitudinally secured to the other mirror along their respective longitudinal internal edges by at least one securing device positioned at the centre of the parabolic arc; and secured at each lateral edge to the wheel supports.