An aspect of the present disclosure is a receiver for receiving radiation from a heliostat array that includes at least one external panel configured to form an internal cavity and an open face. The open face is positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and forms an entrance to the internal cavity. The receiver also includes at least one internal panel positioned within the cavity and aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the at least one internal panel includes at least one channel configured to distribute a heat transfer medium.

The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and, with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power.

An improved double skin facade system for buildings is disclosed. In one embodiment, the double skin facade system is a multi-functional device that can be used in a variety of ways to provide heat, produce and store solar and wind electricity, take advantage of natural and biological properties of plants, and provide cooling and natural ventilation. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of a mounting structure, and multiple columns of interconnected modules. Through the interconnected movable modules, the double skin facade system can easily switch functionalities between a heater, ventilator and cooling system. The device is easy and inexpensive to operate and its functionalities can be changed with simple touches of buttons.

An aspect of the present disclosure is a receiver for receiving radiation from a heliostat array that includes at least one external panel configured to form an internal cavity and an open face. The open face is positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and forms an entrance to the internal cavity. The receiver also includes at least one internal panel positioned within the cavity and aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the at least one internal panel includes at least one channel configured to distribute a heat transfer medium.

A modular photovoltaic system comprises flat modules with two photovoltaic panelspreferably bifacialarranged vertically in a rectangular frame consisting of two posts and two crossbeams. One of the crossbeams supports a cable guiding device for electrically connecting an adjacent photovoltaic module. The modules also have a charging socket for electric vehicles and can be used advantageously for the construction or conversion of parking spaces for vehicles.

A solar window system for a building is provided. The solar window system includes multiple heat generation encasements. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. The solar window system further includes a storage tank for storing heat from the heated air. The solar window system also includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank.

A solar power plant for generating steam is comprised of a spherical shell, the interior of which is sealed from the outside atmosphere and which is mounted adjacent the top of a vertical tower. A plurality of heliostats surrounds the tower and the direct sunrays onto the sphere for heating the same sphere. A spray nozzle within the sphere directs water supplied to it from an external source onto the interior surface of the sphere to create steam. The steam is withdrawn and directed to a turbine or the like for generating electricity. A motor rotates the sphere about its vertical axis thereby regularly exposing a different portion of the sphere to the heliostats to prevent the sphere from melting.

An apparatus for storing and/or converting solar energy into a mechanical and/or electrical energy product in a continuous manner, twenty-four hours a day. The apparatus includes an enclosed volume chamber having a wall formed from transparent material capable of allowing solar energy beams to enter into the chamber, the wall of the chamber having a reflective inner surface for trapping and reflecting the solar energy beams within the chamber, a heat absorbing member located within the chamber for receiving at least a portion of the solar energy beams, an inlet for feeding air into the chamber wherein the air becomes heated, an outlet for allowing the heated air to exit the chamber, and a conversion device for cooperating with the outlet for receiving the heated air and for converting the heated air to mechanical and/or electrical energy. The conversion device can be a plurality of thermophotovoltaic cells or a turbine.

An integral collector storage solar water heat collecting apparatus comprises an integral solar heat collecting and storage apparatus having one or more solar ray and ambient temperature heat absorbing and storage material(s) which hold said energy within an enclosure, said enclosure having within it one or more heat exchange coils with pressurized water to be heated for the end-user or client from said heat storage. Said heat collector is combined with other system components to provide heated water to users.

A solar heater may include a frame and a plurality of heating coils. One or more legs may be coupled to the frame. An internal baffle may direct water into the heating coils. The solar heater may comprise a wind shield. The solar heater may be convex. The curved shape of the solar heater may allow the solar heater to increase the amount of sunlight received by the solar heater as the sun is in different locations in the sky.