Our invention consists of two separate and discrete families of polymers, e.g. thermosetting Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP) and thermoplastics. Both are used as the materials of construction to fabricate solar thermal collectors. These families have the same general configuration and are based upon the same principles. Both families are used in a form that some of the walls of the collector are translucent. Both families incorporate a passage through which the thermal fluid flows. Both families make use of dyes to absorb energy from the sun in the fluid and the collector walls. Each of the families makes use of improved collector configurations and designs and special operating approaches. Each family can serve different markets for different solar thermal collectors. In particular, FRP stands alone as an emerging new category of materials for a broad range of applications including everything from novel solar thermal collectors to exotic airplanes.

A method including installing solar pods at varying heights on a tower, where a size of each of the solar pods is inversely related its installation height on the tower, each of the solar pods including a transparent ovoid enclosure symmetrical about an axis, and a reflector and a solar cell both contained within the transparent ovoid enclosure, the solar cell positioned at a common focal point of the reflector such that substantially all light reflected by the reflector is directed at the solar cell.

A solar pod system, comprising of an oval transparent enclosure. The oval transparent enclosure encapsulates a circular paraboloidal reflector mounted on solar cell. The solar cell extends over the circular parabolic reflector to place the focus of the paraboloidal reflector on the solar cell, whereby the solar cell receives light reflected by the circular parabolic reflector.

A modular-sequential-high-temperature heat collection and storage device with integrated power conversion unit.

A modular-sequential-high-temperature heat collection and storage device with integrated power conversion unit.