A solar collector includes a box shaped collection space bounded by a rectangular bottom (10), a frame (12), and an outer rectangular glass pane (14). The box shaped collection space includes therein an inner rectangular glass pane (16) that is disposed in a first direction from the bottom and is separated from the outer rectangular glass pane by spacers (18). An absorber sheet (20) and at least one fluid conducting riser (22) are positioned intermediate of the bottom and the inner rectangular glass pane. At least two ventilation caps (30) extend in overlying relation of respective corners of the solar collector. Inner sides (32I) of the ventilation caps include a pattern (34P, 34Z) of air ventilation passages that provide at least one ventilation channel that extends from outside the collector space to between the inner and outer rectangular glass panes.

An energy collector is disclosed. The energy collector contains an absorber and a working fluid. The working fluid is held in a state of two-phase equilibrium to minimize sensible heating and thus heat losses to the environment. The energy collector may be held under a vacuum to further prevent heat losses to the ambient environment. One or more energy collectors may be connected to other energy collectors, end uses, or thermal energy storage.

Provided is a vacuum solar thermal collector module including a case having an open top and an internal space, a vacuum thermal collector panel provided inside the case and having a vacuum inside, and an insulation disposed between the vacuum thermal collector panel and the case to block heat transfer, wherein the vacuum thermal collector panel is plural and arranged in a horizontal direction inside the case.

A solar thermal collector for heating a fluid with absorbed solar thermal energy from solar radiations is provided. The solar thermal collector comprises an inlet configured to supply the fluid into the solar thermal collector, an outlet configured to evacuate the fluid from the solar thermal collector, and a solar absorber having an absorber plate and a base plate. The absorber plate has an absorber plate perimeter and an absorbing surface configured for absorbing the solar thermal energy from solar radiations. The base plate is connected to the absorber plate along the entire absorber plate perimeter so as to define a sealed cavity. The base plate and the absorber plate are connected at a plurality of contact points distributed so as to create an array of junctures across the sealed cavity, thereby allowing the fluid to circulate throughout the sealed cavity when flowing from the inlet to the outlet.

Disclosed herein is a solar thermal collector system that is particularly configured for dual use as a radiant cooling system. In accordance with aspects of a particular embodiment of the invention, the solar thermal collector system includes a solar thermal module having a glazing sheet at a top, exterior surface, and an absorber sheet within the module positioned below and spaced apart from the glazing sheet. The absorber sheet and the glazing sheet are fluidly connected to a fluid handling system, and are configured to carry a working fluid that may be heated in the absorber sheet by the sun to transfer such heat to equipment within the facility in which the system is installed, and to carry the working fluid through the glazing sheet to transfer heat collected from the facility to space. The solar thermal collector module is preferably provided a thermally actuated valve that allows the working fluid to also flow through the glazing sheet, which results in self-regulation of the temperature of the module below a critical design temperature.

A solar collector, in particular a solar thermal collector, is formed of at least one circuit transporting a heat transfer fluid, and includes at least one insulator, in particular in the form of at least one layer, formed of flakes and/or nodules of mineral wool(s) or mineral fibers. A process is provided for insulating or manufacturing a solar collector into which flakes and/or nodules of mineral wool(s) and/or mineral fibers are blown, as insulator, in particular without adding binder or water.

A solar energy collection system includes (a) an elongate solar collector unit with dual opposed elongate, hemi-parabolic mirrors each having a linear focus line; (b) an elongate receiver having two linear gaps, each of which lies along a focus lines of one mirror, and including a heat pipe and a heat transfer structure to heat a heat transfer fluid within the heat pipe with solar energy; and (c) a subsystem configured to move the heat transfer fluid through the receiver.

In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

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.