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 novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

Disclosed is a solar refraction device (SRD) for heating industrial materials in a heating container, having a bottom, with diffuse solar energy that impinges on an outside surface of the SRD and is refracted through the SRD. The SRD may include a lens array assembly and a plurality of lens panes attached to the lens array assembly. The lens array assembly may include an outside surface corresponding to the outside surface of the SRD, an inside surface, and a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies.

A solar receiver for converting solar radiation into thermal energy. The solar receiver includes a heat-absorbing solid body, a fluid system to provide a flow of working fluid proximate to the heat-absorbing solid body, and a movement device to move the heat-absorbing solid body such that one or more surfaces of the heat-absorbing solid body are periodically exposed to incident solar radiation. The incident solar radiation heats a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid. The at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body is configured to promote absorption of incident solar radiation, promote transfer of heat from the at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body to the working fluid, promote cooling of the at least a portion of the heat-absorbing solid body, or promote any combination thereof

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises one or more primary reflectors, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises one or more secondary concentrators and a heat transfer tube. Each primary reflector comprises a flat elongated mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that each primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axes of the one or more primary reflectors. 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.

Disclosed is a solar refraction device (SRD) for heating industrial materials in a heating container, having a bottom, with diffuse solar energy that impinges on an outside surface of the SRD and is refracted through the SRD. The SRD may include a lens array assembly and a plurality of lens panes attached to the lens array assembly. The lens array assembly may include an outside surface corresponding to the outside surface of the SRD, an inside surface, and a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies.

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

A system for reclaiming carbon fiber from carbon fiber containing material using solar energy includes a sunlight focusing system, a sample platform for placement of carbon fiber containing material to be treated by focused sunlight from the sunlight focusing system, the sample platform being provided with a gas absorption pipe, and a waste gas treatment system connected with the gas absorption pipe.

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

Disclosed is a multifunctional solar energy system comprising a converging system and two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2), wherein the converging system comprises at least one light-focusing refractive surface (s1) and one reflective surface (s2); at least one of the reflective surface (s2) and the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) are movable; if the reflective surface (s2) is movable, the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) are respectively provided on light paths before and after the reflective surface (s2) moves; and if the reflective surface (s2) is fixed, the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) are successively provided in the light path after the reflective surface (s2). The solar energy system is able to place one of the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) in the light path by moving the movable component so as to respectively use the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) at different times, thereby greatly extending the function of the solar energy system and improving the comprehensive utilization rate of the system.