A transpired solar collector includes the follows. An absorber panel having a body formed of stainless steel; a surface layer of chromium oxide on an exterior face of the body through-holes formed through the body and surface layer, in which the surface layer has a thickness of at least 70 nanometres.

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 hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system provides co-generation of electrical energy and thermal energy. Electrical energy is efficiently generated by photovoltaic panels that are cooled by heat exchangers attached thereto, and the cooling of the photovoltaic panels improves the energy output efficiency of the photovoltaic panels. The heat exchangers flow fluid through its channels, and the fluid collects heat from the photovoltaic panels to which the heat exchangers are attached. The heated fluid is then received at and stored in a thermal battery. The thermal battery can be a fluid tank that encourages the fluid to retain the heat collected from the photovoltaic panels. The thermal battery can then supply the heated fluid to thermal loads as thermal energy.

The present application discloses a method and an apparatus for solar power generation through gas volumetric heat absorption based on characteristic absorption spectrum. A radiation energy conversion device absorbs concentrated solar radiation and converts radiation energy into thermal energy; the thermal energy is transferred to the other side of the radiation energy conversion device and then is converted into radiation energy; and the energy is transferred in a receiver cavity. The working gas from the outlet of a recuperator flows into the receiver cavity and absorbs the radiation energy. The heated working gas with high temperature flows into a turbine, doing shaft work through expansion. The expanded working gas flows through the recuperator to exchange heat. The working gas flows into a cooler, a compressor and the recuperator in sequence, and then flows into a receiver cavity to be heated volumetrically, completing a thermal power cycle.

The invention relates to a field of open-flow solar collectors, and specifically to flat solar collectors with wetting the underneath sides of their solar radiation absorbing plates with liquid heat transfer medium. More specifically, the invention proposes the flat solar collector, which operates with relatively low flow rate of the heat transfer medium on the backside of the solar radiation absorbing plate, with flow in the form of some rivulets. The invention discloses some technical solutions, which restrict meandering rivulets' flow.

These technical solutions are based on application of longitudinal strips attached by permanent magnets to the backside of the solar radiation absorbing plate fabricated from ferromagnetic metal.

Aspects of the disclosure include a multilayer surface-covering assembly adapted to convert solar radiation to heat. The multilayer surface-covering assembly may include a first composite layer comprising a first amorphous refractory material and first metal nanoparticles, wherein the first amorphous refractor material encapsulates the first metal nanoparticles, and wherein the first composite layer is thermally coupled with a surface of a structure for conduction of heat from the first composite layer to the structure. The multilayer surface-covering assembly may also include an antireflective layer, wherein the first composite layer is disposed between the antireflective layer and the surface of the structure.

Aspects of the disclosure include a multilayer surface-covering assembly adapted to convert solar radiation to heat. The multilayer surface-covering assembly may include a first composite layer comprising a first amorphous refractory material and first metal nanoparticles, wherein the first amorphous refractor material encapsulates the first metal nanoparticles, and wherein the first composite layer is thermally coupled with a surface of a structure for conduction of heat from the first composite layer to the structure. The multilayer surface-covering assembly may also include an antireflective layer, wherein the first composite layer is disposed between the antireflective layer and the surface of the structure.

The present disclosure is directed to a phase-change material (PCM) including a metal selected from cobalt and nickel and reacted units of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) for thermal energy storage and method of preparation thereof. The metal and the reacted units of the carboxylic acid form a metal-organic framework (MOF). The PCM further includes polyethylene glycol (PEG) present within a matrix of the MOF with a weight ratio of the metal organic framework to the polyethylene glycol from 10:1 to 1:10. The PCM of the present disclosure is in the form of agglomerated layers of wave-like sheets.

The present disclosure is directed to a phase-change material (PCM) including a metal selected from cobalt and nickel and reacted units of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) for thermal energy storage and method of preparation thereof. The metal and the reacted units of the carboxylic acid form a metal-organic framework (MOF). The PCM further includes polyethylene glycol (PEG) present within a matrix of the MOF with a weight ratio of the metal organic framework to the polyethylene glycol from 10:1 to 1:10. The PCM of the present disclosure is in the form of agglomerated layers of wave-like sheets.

A solar warming apparatus includes a container with a heating band, a box that houses the container, and a lens supported by the box to focus light rays onto the heating band. The heating band conducts heat to the container's contents, while the top and bottom parts of the container are thermally insulating. In some embodiments, the lens is a Fresnel lens, and the container is rotatable via one or more rollers driven by various mechanisms, including motors or manual cranks. The system may incorporate optical focusing, safety features, and interchangeable or dual-chamber container designs to accommodate a variety of heating applications using sunlight.