An optical device and systems using an optical device are provided, where the optical device may be configured for collimating incoming light rays. The optical device may include a host medium substantially comprised of a transparent material and an array of substantially transparent structures embedded within the host medium. The structures of the array each include a convex side presented to the incoming light rays and a concave side that passes light rays through toward the output face of the host medium, collimating the rays. Multiple stages of arrays may be provided in the optical device, typically with lengthening aspect ratios and increasing indexes of refraction in a direction from the input face toward the output face. The systems may use the optical device for using an exterior light to illuminate an interior space in a building or to generate power.

A solar collector energy conversion system has a solar collector apparatus adapted to collect sunlight at a collection location and direct it to one or more light transport guides for transporting the sunlight to a conversion location separate from the collection location, and a solar energy conversion apparatus arranged at the conversion location and adapted to receive sunlight transported by the light transport guides and to convert the transported sunlight to an alternative form of energy.

Provided is a light-concentrating solar energy system, comprising a pair of outer reflective elements (110, 110), a pair of inner reflective elements (120, 120) and a solar energy utilization device (130), wherein each pair of reflective elements comprises two reflective elements which are arranged opposite to each other in a tilted manner, and one end thereof with a larger opening is an upper end, which faces a sunlight (LL) incident direction; the pair of inner reflective elements (120, 120) is arranged between the pair of outer reflective elements (110, 110); and a light receiving surface (131) of the solar energy utilization device (130) is arranged at a lower end of the pair of outer reflective elements (110, 110), and the inner reflective elements (120, 120) are located on the light receiving surface (131). The system can realize a relatively high light-concentrating ratio and light-concentrating efficiency at a lower cost.

Systems, devices and methods for increasing the concentration level, longevity and efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems via optical filtering waveguides. The waveguides can transfer absorbed heat via steam (or other gasses) and water (or other liquids) for subsequent solar thermal (ST) energy conversion and provide low-loss transmission of the filtered light over a grid of PV systems. These include new balloon/bulb type collectors interfacing with the optical filtering waveguides which then mode-couple solar energy into the PVs.

A concentrated multifunctional solar energy system, comprising a concentrating-form layer (110) containing a Fresnel concentrated device (111), a light-guiding-form layer (120) containing a light-guiding tube (121), at least one light-energy utilizing device (130), and a bottom tray (140). The light-energy utilizing device (130) is disposed at the bottom of the light-guiding tube (121), or disposed in the light-guiding tube (121); the periphery (122) of the light-guiding-form layer (120) is closely matched with the periphery (112) of the concentrating-form layer (110) and the periphery (141) of the bottom tray (140) separately so as to form closed first and second spaces; the second space accommodates a working substance (142) in thermal conductive connection with a photoelectric conversion device in the light-energy utilizing device (130); the electrical utilization and thermal utilization of the light energy are respectively achieved by means of the two closed spaces.

A Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) apparatus to capture Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) in form of thermal energy and to store the thermal energy in the form of a heat, in a plurality of Thermal Storage Material, to be used as a heat source is described, the apparatus comprising at least one Fresnel Lens Tunnel 12. A receiver 7 containing a re-circulating TES material is implemented. The apparatus may further comprise the FLT 12 comprising at least three non-imaging concentrating optical elements and at least one Enveloped Linear Fresnel Reflector 13 to power each side of the FLT 12 which is not receiving DNI and at least one Reflector and Lens Mount with Shield (RLMS 14), the rotatable device, comprising a pair of central hubs for connecting the RLMS 14 to the rotating means, and providing rotary motion to the RLMS 14 wherein the load is sustained by Mount carrier base.

Disclosed is a reflective solar apparatus comprising a light receiving device and at least one light reflecting device. The light receiving device delimits a first light receiving surface used for receiving sunlight. The light reflecting device is provided on a side face of the first light receiving surface and has a curtain-type reflecting surface and a driving mechanism used for driving the curtain-type reflecting surface to expand and retract. When the curtain-type reflecting face is completely or partially expanded, sunlight reaching the curtain-type reflecting surface is at least partially guided to an area where the first light receiving surface is located. Since a curtain-type reflecting surface able to expanded or retract is used, not only can the sun be tracked but also the curtain-type reflecting surface can be expanded or retracted according to the strength of wind power.

An example light concentrator system for precision thermal processes includes a stabilizing base and a structure attached to the stabilizing base. The structure includes support arms. An azimuth control rotates the structure. A primary solar collector on the support arms is rotatable about two axes based on various positions of the sun throughout the day. Elevation actuators adjust an angle of the primary solar collector relative to position of the sun. Collector distancing actuators adjust distance of the primary solar collector toward and away from the sun. A variety of Thermal Processing Units (TPUs) are configured for a specific process or set of processes implementing concentrated solar energy from the primary solar collector at the receiver plane. Position of the spot can be moved on a fixed receiver plane through translation of the lens relative to the support arms or through rotation of a redirecting mirror.

Disclosed is a vertical solar apparatus, comprising a vertical light guide device (110) and a light energy utilization device (120), wherein the vertical light guide device (110) comprises at least one Fresnel lens (111, 112) arranged substantially vertically; and the light energy utilization device has a second light receiving surface (Fa2) substantially laid out flat. The light guide device is used for deflecting sunlight, such that the sunlight is at least partially guided to the second light receiving surface (Fa2). The solar apparatus can be adapted in order to be mounted in a long and narrow zone, and a vertical structure thereof enables the solar apparatus to easily engage with an elevation of a building, thereby saving on an additional occupied area.

The invention relates to a method for producing artificial crushed sand by means of a thermal treatment using sand in the form of fine sand (FS/FSa) and/or round sand as the starting material (1). The starting material (1) in variant A is heated to a melting temperature by bundling sun rays (13), and/or the starting material in variant B is heated to a melting temperature by using a conventional melting device which achieves its energy supply using converted or stored solar power, whereby each of a plurality of sand grains are melted together into a three-dimensional intermediate product (2). The intermediate product (2) produced in this manner is cooled and finally comminuted to a particle size of less than 2 mm in a comminuting process. An end product (3) is produced which differs from the starting material (1) with respect to the shape and surface roughness. The method offers a long-term solution for meeting the demand for crushed sand and provides sand for the construction industry.