A light collecting module that includes at least one light concentrating unit, at least one collimating unit, and a focusing mirror is provided. The light concentrating unit has a light input end and a light output end opposite to the light input end, and the light concentrating unit is configured to collect lights at various incident angles through the light input end and concentrate the lights on the light output end. The collimating unit collimates the lights from the light output end of the light concentrating unit. The focusing mirror focuses the collimated lights from the collimating unit on a focus of the focusing mirror.

The present invention discloses a compact solar concentrator module and array preferably with cooling and heat extraction system for converting solar energy to other energy forms preferably electric and thermal energies. The solar concentrator module comprises a vacant structure with a substantially reflective parabolic inside surface, as well as a focal device disposed within the vacant structure for receiving a solar energy converter or a solar cell preferably photovoltaic cell. the focal device being positioned proximate to the focal point of the reflective parabolic inside surface, and a transparent cover coupled to the vacant structure opposing to the reflective parabolic inside surface for transmitting sunlight therein.

Disclosed is a system and method for harvesting solar energy, and more particularly an energy-positive sky lighting system that may provide an integrated energy solution to a variety of commercial buildings. A plurality of skylight modules are provided, each having a plurality of louvers configured to reflect incoming sunlight onto a receiver tube assembly on an adjacent louver to heat a working fluid in communication with the louvers (i.e., such that heat transfer is carried out between the thermal receiver and the working fluid), all while allowing control of the amount of daylight that passes through the module. The modules are constructed such that the balance of the solar energy not going into day lighting is captured in the form of thermal heat, which in turn may be applied to building system cooling and heating applications.

A device is disclosed for the storage and transfer of solar thermal energy which includes a casing having a irradiation opening for the entry of incident solar radiation in a irradiation region of the casing. a bed of fluidizable solid particles received within the casing, and a plurality of reflecting and radiating surfaces arranged within the irradiation region and configured to convey the solar radiation entering through the irradiation opening, after multiple reflections, on the bed of particles.

The invention relates to enclosed solar parabolic trough reflector systems for thermal heat generation that can ultimately be used in various applications. The system includes a modular dual arch building design with a transparent building envelope and a reflector assembly connected within the building through a bearing assembly. The system is particularly suited for solar heat collection in harsh environment.

The technology described herein relates to, among other topics, a power system using solar assisted equipment that significantly reduces the amount of fossil fuels burned in the energy production process. The technology described in this disclosure relates to providing a constant flow of thermal heated water to a boiler (e.g., heated using a fossil fuel), which in turn provides steam to operate an electricity generator. The thermal heated water raises the temperature of the water used for creating steam thus reducing the overall boil time (and consequently reducing the amount of time fossil fuels are being consumed).

The invention provides a new class of solar energy harvesting devices that integrate both photovoltaic and concentrating solar cogeneration systems with shared heliostatic tracking in an inventive manner that enables synergistic benefits and overall optimization. Roof, ground & water supported preferred embodiments provide benefits for varied applications. The new class of synergistic tracking integrated photovoltaic and concentrating solar energy harvesting systems comprise systems that encompass both (i) a nonconcentrating photovoltaic system such as a solar panel and (ii) a concentrating cogeneration system that includes a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) receiver and a heat transfer subsystem, wherein the two systems (i) and (ii) share heliostatic tracking provided by a tracking subsystem and are inventively integrated physically and operationally to enable benefits in terms of solar energy harvest efficiency, space-efficiency, cost-effectiveness and lifecycle cost of energy, while minimizing or precluding shadowing losses and enabling further benefits.