A thermophotovoltaic panel, including a first surface for receiving solar radiation, photovoltaic cells connected to said first receiving surface, a heat exchanger connected to said photovoltaic cells, and a second surface, opposite to the first, for supporting the panel, said heat exchanger being positioned between said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein said photovoltaic cells and said exchanger are embedded in at least one resin, preferably cold-polymerised epoxy resin, to constitute a body including said first receiving surface and said second supporting surface, wherein at least one layer of resin at said first receiving surface is constituted of substantially transparent resin.

A photovoltaic structure, or a photovoltaic structure for a roadway suitable for circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, including: at least one photovoltaic cell; and a non-opaque coating covering at least a front face of the photovoltaic cell and having an outer surface which is macrotextured and microtextured irregularly, with a mean texture depth MTD, measured according to the norm NF EN 13036-1, of between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and a polishing resistance value PRV, according to the norm NF EN 13043, of at least PRV.sub.44, or PRV.sub.50, or PRV.sub.53.

A solar paving module (200) is described. The module (200) comprises: a frame (234); a power generating element (216) comprising at least one photovoltaic element (216) supported in the frame (234); a light transmitting surface screen (218) covering the electrical power generating element (216) and having a planar upper surface; and an electrical connector connected electrically to the power generating element (216). The solar paving module (200) comprises a heat sink (260) in thermal connectivity with the power generating element (216), the heat sink comprising a heat sink plate (262) and one or more ground plates (280) connected to the heat sink plate (262) and forming a heat sink anchor.

Technologies are disclosed herein for a thin heat exchanger through which coolant may be pumped. The heat exchanger may include an envelope and a heat conduction layer provided over the envelope. The envelope may include one or more channels formed therein. The channels formed between the envelope and the conduction layer may extend the length of the heat exchange layer and be configured to carry coolant therethrough. The heat exchange layer may include an inlet manifold on a first end and an outlet manifold on another end opposing the first end. The inlet manifold may allow the flow of coolant into the heat exchange layer and the outlet manifold may allow the removal of the coolant from the heat exchange layer. Coolant flow may be controlled by a suction pump operating under computer control based at least in part on sensor data.

A photovoltaic structure, or a photovoltaic structure for a roadway suitable for circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, including: at least one photovoltaic cell; and a non-opaque coating covering at least a front face of the photovoltaic cell and having an outer surface which is macrotextured and microtextured irregularly, with a mean texture depth MTD, measured according to the norm NF EN 13036-1, of between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and a polishing resistance value PRV, according to the norm NF EN 13043, of at least PRV.sub.44, or PRV.sub.50, or PRV.sub.53.

Core element for sandwich elements, wherein the core element has at least two hemisphere panels which are combined with one another, wherein each hemisphere panel has, between planar portions, and spaced apart from one another, uniform hemispherical elevations, wherein the two or in each case two hemisphere panels face one another by way of their elevations, wherein, with two or in each case two hemisphere panels combined with one another, the elevations of one hemisphere panel each bear with their apexes or apex surfaces against a planar portion of the other hemisphere panel, and wherein two hemisphere panels are connected to one another by virtue of the elevations being connected, in the region of their apexes or apex surfaces, to the planar portion of the other or another hemisphere panel against which they bear. Moreover, the invention also relates to the use of a core element and to a method for producing a core element.

A photoelectric water-permeable pavement configuration includes a photoelectric module and a water-permeable unit below the photoelectric module. The photoelectric module is arranged on a ground surface and includes a base. A water-permeable channel is formed at a periphery of the base. A solar panel is mounted on a top of the base. Fixing members are provided on a bottom of the base and positioned on the water-permeable unit. A hollowed region is provided inside the base. Communicating pipes are connected to and extended outward from the hollowed region to communicate with adjacent bases. The water-permeable unit is a water-permeable pavement including a frame structure formed of multiple vertical water-permeable pipes and poured with concrete grout, or a water-permeable pavement formed by directly paving a water-permeable material, or a water-permeable pavement having water-permeable holes formed by drilling, such that a concrete structure pavement having a plurality of drainage holes is constructed.

Embodiments include a kit comprising parts capable of being assembled into a reflector structure. In some embodiment, the kit includes (i) a deployable frame with a set of node connectors and a set of rods, (ii) a parabolic member comprising a track, a first parabolic-member end, and a second parabolic-member end, and (iii) a reflective membrane comprising an edge bead configured to interface with the track of the parabolic member such that, when the reflector structure is assembled, the reflective membrane is stretched substantially along the track of the parabolic member.

A modular thermal panel can include a heat exchanger having connected top and bottom plates with channels formed there between for receiving a heat exchange fluid. An architectural tile (e.g., a paver, stone, acoustic tile, or any other architectural element) can rest on the top of the modular thermal panel, while an insulator panel is positioned below the modular thermal panel. The heat exchanger can transfer heat between the architectural tile and the heat exchange fluid to either cool or heat the architectural panel. Additional implementations include heat transfer systems including such modular thermal panels, and methods of collecting and utilizing thermal energy using such modular thermal panels.

The invention provides a light-concentrating anti-frost anti-heave heat gathering device and subgrade thereof. The device comprises a light concentrator mounted outside a subgrade; and a heat gathering tube comprising a heat absorption section and a heat release section in communication, the heat absorption section is inserted inside the light concentrator for transferring absorbed heat to the heat release section, the heat release section is inserted inside the subgrade for heating the subgrade, the light concentrator is configured to focus sunlight to and heat the heat absorption section. The heat gathering device herein takes advantage of solar energy resources, by smoothly heating the ground temperature field of the subgrade, and regulating the frost-heaving portions of the subgrade, balanced and smooth heating of the subgrade can be achieved and engineering diseases such as frost heave and uneven fluctuation of the subgrade in the seasonally frozen ground region can be effectively avoided.