A reflective optical coating has a thin film of silver as the primary reflecting material, a thin protective anti-oxidation layer of nickel oxide (NiO) deposited directly on top of the silver layer, and one or more thin transparent barrier layers deposited on top of the NiO, where each barrier layer is composed of a fluoride, a metal oxide, or a nitride. Optionally, a thin protective layer of NiO or Ni may be included, directly beneath the silver layer. Optionally, one or more thin barrier underlayer(s) may be included below the silver (and below the Ni or NiO protective layer, if present), where each of the barrier underlayers is a fluoride, a metal oxide, a metal nitride, or a bare metal.

There is provided a solar energy collector capable of effectively collecting solar energy. The solar energy collector includes a solar energy collection pipe having an absorption medium flow path for allowing an energy absorption medium to flow therethrough, and at least one lens configured to concentrate solar energy on the solar energy collection pipe.

An integrated solar energy utilization apparatus and system. The apparatus comprises at least one photoelectric conversion component (110) and at least one thermoelectric conversion component (120). The thermoelectric conversion component comprises at least one first thermally conductive terminal (121) for heat inflow, the photoelectric conversion component and the first thermally conductive terminal being thermally conductively connected. In the case that the thermoelectric conversion component is a temperature difference power generation component, the thermoelectric conversion component also comprises at least one second thermally conductive terminal (122) for heat outflow. When the temperature of the first thermally conductive terminal is higher than the temperature of the second thermally conductive terminal, the thermoelectric conversion component outputs electricity. The thermoelectric conversion component is used to further convert the heat generated by the photoelectric conversion component into electricity, the solar energy not utilized by the photoelectric conversion component is thus utilized again, thereby effectively enhancing the energy conversion rate for solar power generation.

The present invention relates to an improved solar energy concentrating system. The system comprises a dual axis sun tracking paraboloid dish collector on a polar mount, with a re-reflecting mirror in top of the paraboloid dish, which reflects the concentrated solar irradiation into an opening in the paraboloid dish into a light pipe and with a movable third mirror redirects the light into a second light pipe along the polar axis, which with a fourth fixed mirror, sends the concentrated solar irradiation into a third light pipe to the cavity receiver. The invention replaces the need of flexible connectors to accommodate the movement of the mirror, with a combination of mirrors and light pipes, transferring the solar irradiation to a cavity-receiver. Dual axis tracking systems can capture more solar energy, on a more constant basis throughout the day and the year, and by reflecting directly into the cavity-receiver, thermal losses are minimized.

Techniques for hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic energy collection are provided. In one aspect, a photovoltaic concentrating thermal collector (PVCTC) includes: a thermal absorber collector; and bent solar panels forming a parabolic shaped trough reflector partially surrounding the thermal absorber collector so as to reflect incident light onto the thermal absorber collector. A PVCTC system including an array of PVCTC units and a method for hybrid electrical and thermal energy production are also provided.

The present invention discloses a solar panel mirror unit (1) being shaped, such as curved, and having a sandwich structure, said sandwich structure comprising an outermost front reflecting layer (2), intended as the sun reflecting layer and therefore having a reflective coating, said outermost front reflecting layer (2) consisting of a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient, an intermediate layer (4) having a honeycomb structure and being the core of the sandwich structure, and an innermost rear layer (5) consisting of a second material having a second thermal expansion coefficient, wherein said first and second thermal expansion coefficients are equal or substantially equal.

A novel method of concentrating solar energy using wave generators is disclosed. The systems and methods enable the collection of energy over large area at high efficiencies and the concentrating of energy at a target for use and transfer.