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.

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.

A double line focusing solar energy collection apparatus of the present invention includes a heat collector, a secondary concentrator, and a bracket. The heat collector includes a primary concentrator and a heat collection tube, in which the primary concentrator has a focus line. The secondary concentrator has a focus line. The bracket supports the primary concentrator, the heat collection tube, and the secondary concentrator. The heat collection tube is located between the primary and secondary concentrators and located on the focus lines of the secondary and primary concentrators. The primary concentrator is a paraboloid reflector or Fresnel reflector. The secondary concentrator is a paraboloid reflector or Fresnel reflector. By adding the secondary concentrator, it achieves low light loss and high heat collection efficiency, and erosion of the heat collection tube by sand, rain, and snow can be effectively prevented, thereby extending the lifetime of the heat collection tube effectively.

A double line focusing solar energy collection apparatus of the present invention includes a heat collector, a secondary concentrator, and a bracket. The heat collector includes a primary concentrator and a heat collection tube, in which the primary concentrator has a focus line. The secondary concentrator has a focus line. The bracket supports the primary concentrator, the heat collection tube, and the secondary concentrator. The heat collection tube is located between the primary and secondary concentrators and located on the focus lines of the secondary and primary concentrators. The primary concentrator is a paraboloid reflector or Fresnel reflector. The secondary concentrator is a paraboloid reflector or Fresnel reflector. By adding the secondary concentrator, it achieves low light loss and high heat collection efficiency, and erosion of the heat collection tube by sand, rain, and snow can be effectively prevented, thereby extending the lifetime of the heat collection tube effectively.

A concentrating solar power plant includes a solar light capturing part configured to capture solar light; and a heat exchange part configured to transform solar energy, from the captured solar light, into heat, which is stored in a solid medium, wherein the solid medium is stored underground. The solar light capturing part has a heliostat farm, a beam down solar concentrator, and a compound concentrator, each configured to reflect the solar light.

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.

Exemplary embodiments described herein may include lightweight, low stow volume solar concentrator.

A solar concentrator assembly (102) comprises a concave mirror (108) for collecting radiation that is collimated and has uniform distribution from a source and a convex mirror (110). The concave mirror (108) is configured to reflect the radiation to the convex mirror (110) and the convex mirror (110) is configured to reflect the radiation as a concentrated collimated beam in an emission direction that is angularly offset from the source. The concave mirror (108) and convex mirror (110) each have a focal length that varies along one axis such that the radiation collected by the concave mirror (108) is transmitted from the convex mirror (110) with uniform distribution.

A solar concentrator assembly (102) comprises a concave mirror (108) for collecting radiation that is collimated and has uniform distribution from a source and a convex mirror (110). The concave mirror (108) is configured to reflect the radiation to the convex mirror (110) and the convex mirror (110) is configured to reflect the radiation as a concentrated collimated beam in an emission direction that is angularly offset from the source. The concave mirror (108) and convex mirror (110) each have a focal length that varies along one axis such that the radiation collected by the concave mirror (108) is transmitted from the convex mirror (110) with uniform distribution.

The present disclosure solves the problem of solar energy capture and storage for solar power generating devices. This power system does not rely on batteries to accomplish energy generation during nighttime operating hours or during cloudy days. Solar energy is collected in a chamber equipped with opposing parabolic mirrors and a gaseous medium. The solar energy collector traps the majority of incoming sunlight and, through the processes of thermal radiation, heat conduction, and heat convection, converts said sunlight into useable heat energy. The heated gaseous medium is pumped to a Stirling engine for the purpose of conversion to mechanical power.