The inventive solar heat collection system reduces the risk of damage to heat transfer pipes of a high-temperature heat collection device. The low-temperature heat collection device (1) heats water by sunlight heat to generate steam. The steam-water separation device (4) separates a water-steam two-phase fluid generated in the low-temperature heat collection device into water and steam. The high-temperature heat collection device (5) heats the steam separated by the steam-water separation device by use of heat of sunlight reflected by a plurality of heliostats (8), thereby generating superheated steam. The heliostat control device (13) controls angles of the plurality of heliostats so that metal temperature of the high-temperature heat collection device is maintained not to be higher than a threshold temperature set to prevent overshoot of steam temperature at an outlet of the high-temperature heat collection device.

A solar power plant for generating steam is comprised of a spherical shell, the interior of which is sealed from the outside atmosphere and which is mounted adjacent the top of a vertical tower. A plurality of heliostats surrounds the tower and the direct sunrays onto the sphere for heating the same sphere. A spray nozzle within the sphere directs water supplied to it from an external source onto the interior surface of the sphere to create steam. The steam is withdrawn and directed to a turbine or the like for generating electricity. A motor rotates the sphere about its vertical axis thereby regularly exposing a different portion of the sphere to the heliostats to prevent the sphere from melting.

A renewable energy system comprising a solar panel that is adapted to be mounted on a structure and convert solar energy into electrical energy, a windmill that is adapted to be mounted on the structure and convert wind energy into electrical energy, a window turbine assembly that is adapted to convert wind energy into electrical energy, and a means for shutting down the renewable energy system that is adapted to automatically shut down the system in the event of an emergency. A method for a renewable energy system comprising providing a renewable energy system and converting renewable energy into electrical energy.

A solar receiver and associated components, systems and methods for use with a concentrated solar power plant. The solar receiver including a heat-absorbing solid body, an optical arrangement configured to direct light on to the heat-absorbing solid body, and a heat exchanger cowl proximate the heat-absorbing solid body arranged to provide a flow of working fluid over the rotor. In use, the light from the optical arrangement heats the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid proximate the heat-absorbing solid body. The heat-absorbing solid body is movable relative to the optical arrangement from a first position to a second position such that the heat-absorbing solid body does not overheat.

A solar receiver and associated components, systems and methods for use with a concentrated solar power plant. The solar receiver including a heat-absorbing solid body, an optical arrangement configured to direct light on to the heat-absorbing solid body, and a heat exchanger cowl proximate the heat-absorbing solid body arranged to provide a flow of working fluid over the rotor. In use, the light from the optical arrangement heats the heat-absorbing solid body which in turn heats the working fluid proximate the heat-absorbing solid body. The heat-absorbing solid body is movable relative to the optical arrangement from a first position to a second position such that the heat-absorbing solid body does not overheat.

A heating and power generating apparatus comprises: a frame installed on the roof of a building and having a predetermined area; a plurality of power generating units arranged inside the frame to collect sunlight and generate electricity; and a hot water supply unit buried inside of the frame to absorb sunlight and perform heating and hot water supply. According to the present invention, hot water can be generated by sunlight in the winter to supply hot water and heat a house, and power can be generated by sunlight in the summer to supply power for cooling a room and thus conserve the electrical energy used in a cooler, thus promoting energy saving and environmental protection.

In one embodiment, a solar heat collecting system includes a heat collector configured to heat a heat medium by a sunray. The system further includes a heater configured to heat a heating target fluid by the heat medium. The system further includes a heat medium pipe configured to circulate the heat medium between the heat collector and the heater. The system further includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heat medium flowing from the heat collector toward the heater, at a position located upstream of an initial bent portion of the heat medium pipe in a region where the heat medium pipe extends from the heat collector toward the heater. The system further includes a controller configured to control heating of the heat medium in accordance with the temperature of the heat medium measured by the temperature sensor.

A passive thermal regulation system includes a substrate and a coating. The coating is positioned to encapsulate at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes a first hydrogel layer and a second hydrogel layer. The first hydrogel layer has a plurality of carbon materials configured to absorb a solar radiation. The second hydrogel layer includes a hydrogel that is different from the first hydrogel layer. The coating, at a first temperature, causes the passive thermal regulation system to passively switch from a solar reflective state to solar absorber state to permit the plurality of carbon materials to absorb the solar radiation. At a second temperature, the coating causes the system to passively switch from the solar absorber state to the solar reflective state where the hydrogel of the second hydrogel layer inhibits the solar radiation from absorption. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.