A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have inlet and outlet fluid lines in fluid communication via manifolds with a cold fluid supply line and a warm fluid return line, respectively. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed thereto to face the sun. The plates have dividers or partitions that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.

A Fresnel spot lens desalinization system includes a Fresnel spot lens (FSL) disposed above a heating element. The heating element has a collector plate and a rod portion; The FSL concentrates solar energy onto the collector plate. A condenser vessel is connected to the collector plate. The rod portion extends into the condenser vessel having a heat resistant exterior shell. The rod portion projects interiorly of the condenser vessel at a downward angle and includes a top portion that is connected to a flat head of the heating element. The flat head receives the solar energy generated from FSL The concentrated solar energy increases the temperature of the heating element inside the condenser vessel to vaporize the salt water to steam and transfer the steam into a condensing tube to condense the steam into pure water.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

A solar tower system is disclosed in which the heat transfer media is a molten salt at a temperature greater than 650? C. The components that carry or hold the molten salt are made from commercially available alloys made by Haynes International and sold under the designations HR-120? alloy, 230? alloy and 233? alloy whose compositions are described herein. The molten salt preferably is MgCl.sub.2KCl.

A solar tower system is disclosed in which the heat transfer media is a molten salt at a temperature greater than 650? C. The components that carry or hold the molten salt are made from commercially available alloys made by Haynes International and sold under the designations HR-120? alloy, 230? alloy and 233? alloy whose compositions are described herein. The molten salt preferably is MgCl.sub.2KCl.

A solar energy device includes a first parabolic reflector and a second parabolic reflector. The first parabolic reflector reflects sunlight into the second parabolic reflector and the second parabolic reflector reflects substantially all of the sunlight through an opening in the first parabolic reflector. The sunlight is directed into a first heat exchanger behind the first parabolic reflector. Solar energy cooking devices and systems are also disclosed.

A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have header assemblies affixed to opposite edges thereof and which control the entry of liquid into the channel and the exit therefrom. The inlet header assembly has a plurality of nozzles that are adjustable in size to control flow therethrough while the outlet header assembly has elongated nozzles to receive flow or liquid from the channel. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell affixed thereto to face the sun and the other plate has a plurality of indentations that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.

This invention is a sunlight-to-heat converting member containing chromium silicide having an element ratio of Cr to Si from 1:1.6 to 1:4.7. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting stack including a layer of the sunlight-to-heat converting member and a metal layer. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting device including a light collecting part, either or both of a container and a flow path where sunlight is collected by the light collecting part, and a heating medium housed in either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member or the sunlight-to-heat converting stack is formed on a surface of either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member, the sunlight-to-heat converting stack, and the sunlight-to-heat converting device of this invention can convert light to heat efficiently.

This invention is a sunlight-to-heat converting member containing chromium silicide having an element ratio of Cr to Si from 1:1.6 to 1:4.7. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting stack including a layer of the sunlight-to-heat converting member and a metal layer. This invention is also a sunlight-to-heat converting device including a light collecting part, either or both of a container and a flow path where sunlight is collected by the light collecting part, and a heating medium housed in either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member or the sunlight-to-heat converting stack is formed on a surface of either or both of the container and the flow path. The sunlight-to-heat converting member, the sunlight-to-heat converting stack, and the sunlight-to-heat converting device of this invention can convert light to heat efficiently.