A method for full spectrum solar thermal energy harvesting and collection includes storing a first heat in a phase change material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, harvesting a second heat from the phase change material in the presence of solar radiation, storing molecular energy in a molecular storage material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, transferring the second heat from the phase change material to the molecular storage material in the absence of solar radiation, and harvesting the molecular energy released by the molecular storage material.

A method for full spectrum solar thermal energy harvesting and collection includes storing a first heat in a phase change material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, harvesting a second heat from the phase change material in the presence of solar radiation, storing molecular energy in a molecular storage material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, transferring the second heat from the phase change material to the molecular storage material in the absence of solar radiation, and harvesting the molecular energy released by the molecular storage material.

A method for concentrated photovoltaic-thermal power generation includes converting a first portion of concentrated sunlight into electrical power when the first portion of concentrated sunlight illuminates an array of photovoltaic cells; and thermally coupling heat generated by the photovoltaic cells into a heat transfer plate. The method also includes cooling the heat transfer plate by flowing heat transfer fluid through an internal path of a cooling block in direct thermal contact with the heat transfer plate; and flowing the heat transfer fluid through a helical tube to absorb thermal energy from a second portion of concentrated sunlight illuminating the helical tube.

A method for concentrated photovoltaic-thermal power generation includes converting a first portion of concentrated sunlight into electrical power when the first portion of concentrated sunlight illuminates an array of photovoltaic cells; and thermally coupling heat generated by the photovoltaic cells into a heat transfer plate. The method also includes cooling the heat transfer plate by flowing heat transfer fluid through an internal path of a cooling block in direct thermal contact with the heat transfer plate; and flowing the heat transfer fluid through a helical tube to absorb thermal energy from a second portion of concentrated sunlight illuminating the helical tube.

The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The Fresnel reflective steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration a preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector is realized. Various types of solar energy receiving structures are shown that serve to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy to realize the preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector.

Disclosed is a multifunctional solar energy system comprising a converging system and two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2), wherein the converging system comprises at least one light-focusing refractive surface (s1) and one reflective surface (s2); at least one of the reflective surface (s2) and the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) are movable; if the reflective surface (s2) is movable, the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) are respectively provided on light paths before and after the reflective surface (s2) moves; and if the reflective surface (s2) is fixed, the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) are successively provided in the light path after the reflective surface (s2). The solar energy system is able to place one of the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) in the light path by moving the movable component so as to respectively use the two solar energy utilization devices (P1, P2) at different times, thereby greatly extending the function of the solar energy system and improving the comprehensive utilization rate of the system.

A concentrated solar power (CSP) system includes channels arranged to convey a flowing solids medium descending under gravity. The channels form a light-absorbing surface configured to absorb solar flux from a heliostat field. The channels may be independently supported, for example by suspension, and gaps between the channels are sized to accommodate thermal expansion. The light absorbing surface may be sloped so that the inside surfaces of the channels proximate to the light absorbing surface define downward-slanting channel floors, and the flowing solids medium flows along these floors. Baffles may be disposed inside the channels and oriented across the direction of descent of the flowing solids medium. The channels may include wedge-shaped walls forming the light-absorbing surface and defining multiple-reflection light paths for solar flux from the heliostat field incident on the light-absorbing surface.

A heat exchange assembly for heating a pool includes a housing that defines an internal space. The housing has a top that is open. A lid, which is complementary to the top and substantially transparent, is sealably couplable to the housing to cover the top. A tube is loopedly positioned in the internal space. The tube has opposing endpoints that are positioned through the housing. Each of a pair of couplers is coupled singly to the endpoints of the tube. The lid is configured to allow sunlight to pass through the lid into the internal space, wherein the internal space is heated relative to the ambient environment. The tube is configured to transfer heat from the internal space to liquid passing through the tube. The couplers are configured to couple the tube to a reservoir of liquid, such as a pool.

A solar window system for a building is provided. The solar window system includes multiple heat generation encasements. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. The solar window system further includes a storage tank for storing heat from the heated air. The solar window system also includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank.

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.