The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

A hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panel based cogeneration system and heat pump and non-tracking non-imaging solar concentrator based CSP stabilized power generation system comprises a hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic panel based cogeneration subsystem to cogenerate electricity and heat, a heat pump subsystem to raise the temperature of the cogenerated heat, a non-tracking non-imaging solar concentrator based CSP subsystem to further upgrade the cogenerated thermal energy, a thermal storage to store the cogenerated heat, and a thermal power regeneration system to take the stored cogenerated heat to regenerate power. The power output of the cogeneration subsystem supplemented with the power output from the thermal power regeneration system realizes stabilized power output.

A light-concentrating lens assembly for a solar energy system, the assembly comprising a plurality of concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, a conical light guide extending below the plurality of paraboloid mirror reflectors, an inner central cone disposed along a central axis of the concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, and a compound paraboloid concentrator disposed beneath the inner central cone.

A hybrid receiver for a concentrator photovoltaic-thermal power system combines a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module and a thermal module that converts concentrated sunlight into electrical energy and thermal heat. Heat transfer fluid flowing through a cooling block removes waste heat generated by photovoltaic cells in the CPV module. The heat transfer fluid then flows through a helical tube illuminated by sunlight that misses the CPV module. Only one fluid system is used to both remove the photovoltaic-cell waste heat and capture high-temperature thermal energy from sunlight. Fluid leaving the hybrid receiver can have a temperature greater than 200° C., and therefore may be used as a source of process heat for a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The hybrid receiver can maintain the photovoltaic cells at temperatures below 110° C. while achieving overall energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%.

A novel method is described for water heating using stored solar heat. Solar heat is stored in an insulated tank by using scrap and inexpensive heat absorbing or heat storing materials. Stored solar heat can then be used to heat water in a storage tank by extracting the solar heat using an antifreeze liquid which in turn heat cold water in the water tank. Water temperature in the storage tank is controlled by a thermostat. When the water temperature drops below the set point on the thermostat, a circulating pump turns on and pump the cold water until it reaches the desired set temperature. Once it reaches the set point in the thermostat, the water circulation pump turns off.

A novel method is described for room heating using stored solar heat. Solar heat is stored in an insulated tank by using scrap and inexpensive heat absorbing or heat storing materials. Stored heat can then be extracted by air circulation for room heating. The temperature of the room air is controlled by a thermostat. When the room temperature drops below the set point on the thermostat, a circulating air pump turns on and extract the solar heat until the room temperature air reaches the desired set temperature. Once room temperature reaches the set point in the thermostat, the air circulation pump turns off.

A novel method is described for room heating using stored solar heat. Solar heat is stored in an insulated tank by using scrap and inexpensive heat absorbing or heat storing materials. Stored heat can then be extracted by air circulation for room heating. The temperature of the room air is controlled by a thermostat. When the room temperature drops below the set point on the thermostat, a circulating air pump turns on and extract the solar heat until the room temperature air reaches the desired set temperature. Once room temperature reaches the set point in the thermostat, the air circulation pump turns off.

A receiver system for a Fresnel solar plant is provided that includes an absorber tube defining a longitudinal direction, a mirror array that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction and is used for concentrating light beams onto the absorber tube, and a support frame for the absorber tube and the mirror array. A first suspension for holding the absorber tube and a second suspension for holding the mirror array or at least parts of the mirror array are independently mounted on the support frame. The first suspension has first compensation device while the second suspension has second compensation device. The first and second compensation devices allow for different expansions of the absorber tube and the mirror array or at least parts of the mirror array in the longitudinal direction.

A hybrid steam power plant is disclosed using the steam generator as a sub-construction for a solar receiver.

A reactor for steam-methane reforming is adapted to be received in a tube on a focal axis of a parabolic trough. The reactor may comprise an array of micro-reactors interconnected by a water manifold, a gas manifold, a syngas manifold, and at least one steam-methane reforming chamber configured for reforming steam and methane into syngases, the micro-reactors having a vaporization portion for producing steam. Radiation plates may extend on sides of the array of micro-reactors Glazing may face and be spaced apart from a portion of the array of micro-reactors including at least one steam-methane reforming chamber, the glazing being conductively connected to the radiation plates for heat transfer therebetween, the at least one glazing allowing light from the parabolic trough to pass therethrough to reach the array of micro-reactors.