A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A solar receiver includes a hollow body, which has a longitudinal axis (8.4), a wall (8) surrounding the longitudinal axis (8.4), an opening (9) disposed in the wall (8) for the entry of heat rays, and an end region opposite the opening (9). The wall (8) includes an outer wall (8.1), an inner wall (8.2), and a partition wall (8.3) disposed therebetween. The outer wall (8.1) and the partition wall (8.3) enclose an outer annular space (8.1.1). The inner wall (8.2) and the partition wall (8.3) enclose an inner annular space (8.2.1). The outer annular space (8.1.1) has, in the end region, an inlet (12) for a free-flowing medium. The two annular spaces (8.1.1, 8.2.1) are conductively connected to one another in the region of the opening (9), and the inner annular space (8.2.1) has an outlet (11) for a free-flowing medium in the end region.

A solar receiver includes a hollow body, which has a longitudinal axis (8.4), a wall (8) surrounding the longitudinal axis (8.4), an opening (9) disposed in the wall (8) for the entry of heat rays, and an end region opposite the opening (9). The wall (8) includes an outer wall (8.1), an inner wall (8.2), and a partition wall (8.3) disposed therebetween. The outer wall (8.1) and the partition wall (8.3) enclose an outer annular space (8.1.1). The inner wall (8.2) and the partition wall (8.3) enclose an inner annular space (8.2.1). The outer annular space (8.1.1) has, in the end region, an inlet (12) for a free-flowing medium. The two annular spaces (8.1.1, 8.2.1) are conductively connected to one another in the region of the opening (9), and the inner annular space (8.2.1) has an outlet (11) for a free-flowing medium in the end region.

A new integrated unitary system for producing electricity for a greenhouse or other metal carpentry structure associates a photovoltaic system, an innovative apparatus reflecting solar radiation, and an innovative water system for cooling and washing photovoltaic panels, which are all combined with the greenhouse or the metal carpentry structure.

A thermal management system for a body to be exposed to solar radiation includes an infrared radiating element and a solar-scattering cover disposed on or integrated with the infrared radiating element. The thermal management system further includes a thermal storage sub-system in fluid connection with a solar panel via thermal interconnections.

A solar collection system includes an absorption refrigeration system to generate water from atmospheric moisture, and to do so without the use of an electrically operated compressor. At least a portion of the solar energy captured by the solar collection system is used to operate the absorption refrigeration cycle. The absorption refrigeration cycle provides cooling that causes water in the atmosphere to condense into a liquid that can be collected and used for various applications. As one example, the collected liquid can be used for the cleaning of the solar collection system of contaminants like dust or bird drippings. In other applications, the water can be used outside the solar collection system including, but not limited to, irrigation, drinking, and other industrial purposes.

A solar collection system includes an absorption refrigeration system to generate water from atmospheric moisture, and to do so without the use of an electrically operated compressor. At least a portion of the solar energy captured by the solar collection system is used to operate the absorption refrigeration cycle. The absorption refrigeration cycle provides cooling that causes water in the atmosphere to condense into a liquid that can be collected and used for various applications. As one example, the collected liquid can be used for the cleaning of the solar collection system of contaminants like dust or bird drippings. In other applications, the water can be used outside the solar collection system including, but not limited to, irrigation, drinking, and other industrial purposes.

The invention relates to a method for insulating a process unit, which is provided with an insulating region (17, 41) for curbing the flow of heat from a hot side to a cold side of the insulating region (17, 41), the insulating region being cooled at a point with a temperature that is lower Man the temperature of the hot side, the heat absorbed by a cooling medium being transported out of the insulating region and being supplied as recovered heat to a consumer of heat.

The invention relates to a method for insulating a process unit, which is provided with an insulating region (17, 41) for curbing the flow of heat from a hot side to a cold side of the insulating region (17, 41), the insulating region being cooled at a point with a temperature that is lower Man the temperature of the hot side, the heat absorbed by a cooling medium being transported out of the insulating region and being supplied as recovered heat to a consumer of heat.

A solar collection system is provided in which an absorption refrigeration system is included to generate water from atmospheric moisture, and to do so without the use of an electrically operated compressor. At least a portion of the solar energy captured by the solar collection system is used to operate the absorption refrigeration cycle. The absorption refrigeration cycle provides cooling that causes water in the atmosphere to condense into a liquid that can be collected and used for various applications. As one example, the collected liquid can be used for the cleaning of the solar collection system of contaminants like dust or bird drippings. In other applications, the water can be used outside the solar collection system including, but not limited to, irrigation, drinking, and other industrial purposes.