A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400 C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m.sup.2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 m to 15 m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.

A silica aerogel having a mean pore size less than 5 nm with a standard deviation of 3 nm. The silica aerogel may have greater than 95% solar-weighted transmittance at a thickness of 8 mm for wavelengths in the range of 250 nm to 2500 nm, and a 400 C. black-body weighted specific extinction coefficient of greater than 8 m.sup.2/kg for wavelengths of 1.5 m to 15 m. Silica aerogel synthesis methods are described. A solar thermal aerogel receiver (STAR) may include an opaque frame defining an opening, an aerogel layer disposed in the opaque frame, with at least a portion of the aerogel layer being proximate the opening, and a heat transfer fluid pipe in thermal contact with and proximate the aerogel layer. A concentrating solar energy system may include a STAR and at least one reflector to direct sunlight to an opening in the STAR.

Disclosed is a multilayer body, comprising a base (2) and a carbon material layer (1) on the base (2), wherein the base (2) is water-permeable, and the carbon material comprises one or more of the following materials: graphite, graphene, graphene oxide, a chemical function group-modified graphene and carbon nanotubes. Further disclosed are a method for preparing the multilayer body, the use of the multilayer body, and a light-absorbing device containing the multilayer body.

The present invention relates to devices and systems for collecting and storage of solar energy, wherein the system for storing and retrieving captured temperature based energy comprising: one or more thermal collectors (5, 60), an energy carrier (29), a piping system (3, 7, 34, 35, 36), pumping device for controlling the flow of the energy carrier (29), and one or more ground thermal storage systems (30).

The present invention relates to devices and systems for collecting and storage of solar energy, wherein the system for storing and retrieving captured temperature based energy comprising: one or more thermal collectors (5, 60), an energy carrier (29), a piping system (3, 7, 34, 35, 36), pumping device for controlling the flow of the energy carrier (29), and one or more ground thermal storage systems (30).

A recoverable and renewable heat recovery system includes a variable speed inverter compressor in fluid connection with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger via a fluid circuit. The system further includes a solar thermal collection module positioned on top of the compressor and in fluid communication with the compressor, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger via the fluid circuit. A light intensity sensor is configured to determine light intensity on the solar thermal collection module. The solar thermal collection module is configured to retain solar energy thermal energy to increase fluid pressure in the compressor.

A solar vapor generator includes an absorber to absorb sunlight and an emitter, in thermal communication with the absorber, to radiatively evaporate a liquid under less than 1 sun illumination and without pressurization. The emitter is physically separated from the liquid, substantially reducing fouling of the emitter. The absorber and the emitter may also be heated to temperatures higher than the boiling point of the liquid and may thus may be used to further superheat the vapor. Solar vapor generation can provide the basis for many sustainable desalination, sanitization, and process heating technologies.

Falling particle solar receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that include one non-linear falling particle curtain or two or more falling particle curtains within a solar receiver that receives incident solar radiation. The particles heated in the solar receiver may be used to heat a secondary fluid. In an embodiment, the particles may be recirculated to improve energy capture and thermal efficiency. In other embodiments, an air curtain may be used across the aperture of the receiver, and flow-control devices may be used to evenly spread particles across the width of the receiver inlet. Finally, feed particles may be preheated using heat from the solar receiver.

A photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system for coupling to a solar panel, includes: thermal parts, including: a copper sheet comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side, where the first side is for coupling to a back of the solar panel; at least a first plurality of heat pipes coupled to the second side of the copper sheet; and at least a first manifold coupled to ends of the first plurality of heat pipes; and an insulation layer coupled to the thermal parts, where if the thermal parts are coupled to the back of the solar panel, the copper sheet receives heat transferred from the solar panel and transfers the heat to the first plurality of heat pipes, and the first plurality of heat pipes transfers the heat to the first manifold. The PVT system manages the temperature of the solar cells in the solar panel.

Falling particle solar receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that include one non-linear falling particle curtain or two or more falling particle curtains within a solar receiver that receives incident solar radiation. The particles heated in the solar receiver may be used to heat a secondary fluid. In an embodiment, the particles may be recirculated to improve energy capture and thermal efficiency. In other embodiments, an air curtain may be used across the aperture of the receiver, and flow-control devices may be used to evenly spread particles across the width of the receiver inlet. Finally, feed particles may be preheated using heat from the solar receiver.