A solar power method is provided using two-stage light concentration to drive concentrating photovoltaic conversion in conjunction with thermal collection. The method concentrates light rays received in a plurality of transverse planes towards a primary linear focus in an axial plane, which is orthogonal to the transverse planes. T band wavelengths of light are transmitted to the primary linear focus. R band wavelengths of light are reflected towards a secondary linear focus in the axial plane, which is parallel to the primary linear focus. The light received at the primary linear focus is translated into thermal energy. The light received at the secondary linear focus is focused by optical elements along a plurality of tertiary linear foci, which are orthogonal to the axial plane. The focused light in each tertiary primary focus is focused into a plurality of receiving areas, and translated into electrical energy.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

A reflective concentrator can include a primary reflector and a secondary reflector located radially outward of the primary reflector. The primary reflector can be a rotationally-symmetric, convex conical shape, radial sections of which may include an off-axis parabolic reflector with a focal point radially outward of the primary reflector. A secondary reflector may be located radially outward of the primary reflector, and may include a rotationally symmetric section of a toroidal space surrounding the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the secondary reflector may be convex or concave. Incident sunlight generally aligned with a rotational axis of symmetry of the primary reflector may be reflected off of the primary reflector, off of the secondary reflector, and back towards a point near the central peak of the primary reflector. The reflective concentrator may be aerodynamically stable, and may include an aerodynamic fairing on its read side to further increase the aerodynamic stability of the structure.

A reflective concentrator can include a primary reflector and a secondary reflector located radially outward of the primary reflector. The primary reflector can be a rotationally-symmetric, convex conical shape, radial sections of which may include an off-axis parabolic reflector with a focal point radially outward of the primary reflector. A secondary reflector may be located radially outward of the primary reflector, and may include a rotationally symmetric section of a toroidal space surrounding the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the secondary reflector may be convex or concave. Incident sunlight generally aligned with a rotational axis of symmetry of the primary reflector may be reflected off of the primary reflector, off of the secondary reflector, and back towards a point near the central peak of the primary reflector. The reflective concentrator may be aerodynamically stable, and may include an aerodynamic fairing on its read side to further increase the aerodynamic stability of the structure.

A transportation network for providing propellant in space can include optical mining vehicles that concentrate solar energy to spall captured asteroids, capture released volatiles, and store them in reservoirs as propellants. The network can also have orbital transfer vehicles that use solar thermal rocket modules that focus solar energy on heat exchangers to force propellant through nozzles, as well as separable aeromaneuvering tanker modules with reusable heatshields and storage tanks. The network can have propellant depots positioned between Earth and a transport destination. The depots can mechanically couple to accept propellant delivery and to supply it to visiting space vehicles.

An apparatus combining a solar tracker and a dual heat source collector includes a heat engine assembly and the solar tracker. The heat engine assembly includes a heat collector, a heat collecting lens, and a heat engine. The heat collector includes a solar heat collecting room and a heat source room. The heat collecting lens is arranged on the heat collector and corresponds to the solar heat collecting room. The heat engine is located in the solar heat collecting room. The solar tracker includes a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a pivot member, and a driving member. The primary mirror has a first reflective surface and a back surface. The primary mirror has a mounting hole passing through the primary mirror. The secondary mirror is mounted above the primary mirror.

An absorber system solves problems of known absorber systems for use in solar fields in that the absorber tube is suspended on a rail below an absorber cover. The design also makes it possible to move measuring and cleaning robots and the like along the absorber tube more and allows the absorber tube and the secondary reflector to be jointly suspended, whereby an exact mutual alignment between the two components is enabled.

Multi-effect-distillation (MED) systems of several designs are among the most energy-efficient technologies used in seawater desalination, throughout the world today; typically, energy consumed being <15 kWh / m^3 distillate produced. One caveat in all MED systems is the disposition of the brine-waste reject product with respect to the environment; per unit volume fresh water produced, typically, two units of waste brine media with salinity in excess of 50 g/l, must be dispersed responsibly. Herein is described a MEDX design coupled with thermal-vapor-expanders (TVX) utilizing energy recovered in said brine-waste media, wherein salt-gradient-solar-ponds (SGSP) are used alongside molten salts single-temperature thermal energy storage (SITTES) as principle thermal energy sources (TES) redirected to the MEDX plant, 24/7. Quantifiable electric power production and an additional ~2500 m^3/d distillate, is attained above that produced in a hypothetical 20-effect MEDX plant thru recycling said waste brines into said 20-effect MEDX plant, integrating both flash-chambers (FC) and negative pressure tanks (NPT) in the fore and end-stages, respectively of said MEDX plant.

Multi-effect-distillation (MED) systems of several designs are among the most energy-efficient technologies used in seawater desalination, throughout the world today; typically, energy consumed being <15 kWh / m^3 distillate produced. One caveat in all MED systems is the disposition of the brine-waste reject product with respect to the environment; per unit volume fresh water produced, typically, two units of waste brine media with salinity in excess of 50 g/l, must be dispersed responsibly. Herein is described a MEDX design coupled with thermal-vapor-expanders (TVX) utilizing energy recovered in said brine-waste media, wherein salt-gradient-solar-ponds (SGSP) are used alongside molten salts single-temperature thermal energy storage (SITTES) as principle thermal energy sources (TES) redirected to the MEDX plant, 24/7. Quantifiable electric power production and an additional ~2500 m^3/d distillate, is attained above that produced in a hypothetical 20-effect MEDX plant thru recycling said waste brines into said 20-effect MEDX plant, integrating both flash-chambers (FC) and negative pressure tanks (NPT) in the fore and end-stages, respectively of said MEDX plant.