A solar collector, in particular a solar thermal collector, is formed of at least one circuit transporting a heat transfer fluid, and includes at least one insulator, in particular in the form of at least one layer, formed of flakes and/or nodules of mineral wool(s) or mineral fibers. A process is provided for insulating or manufacturing a solar collector into which flakes and/or nodules of mineral wool(s) and/or mineral fibers are blown, as insulator, in particular without adding binder or water.

A solar thermal collector and an accessory structure of a building are provided. The solar thermal collector includes at least one heat absorbing plate and at least one heat insulating plate. Each of the heat absorbing plate includes at least one first slab and first engaging parts connected with the first slab. Each of the heat insulating plate includes at least one second slab and second engaging parts connected with the second slab. The first engaging parts are respectively engaged with the second engaging parts, and a gap is maintained between the first slab and the second slab to define a heat collecting channel, through which a heat transfer medium flows between the heat absorbing plate and the heat insulating plate. A heat conductivity of the heat absorbing plate is at least 30 times greater than a heat conductivity of the heat insulating plate.

Thermal energy storage systems and methods that include near-black body concentrated sunlight receivers disposed in thermal storage media for storing sunlight and extracting thermal energy for multiple end-use applications. The concentrated sunlight receivers are characterized by absorption of sunlight of at least 95%. The thermal energy storage systems are modular and transportable and can be scaled-up in capacity. Solar concentrators may be integrated with the thermal energy storage systems.

A solar module includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a sandwich structure on which the plurality of photovoltaic cells is structurally supported. The sandwich structure includes top and bottom structural plates and an open-cell inner material located between the top and bottom structural plates.

A localized heating structure includes a spectrally-selective solar absorber, that absorbs incident solar radiation and reflects at wavelengths longer than 2 m, with an underlying heat-spreading layer having a thermal conductivity equal to or greater than 50 W/(mK), a thermally insulating layer, adjacent to the spectrally-selective solar absorber, having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.1 W/(mK), one or more evaporation openings through the spectrally-selective solar absorber and the thermally insulating layer, and an evaporation wick, disposed in one or more of the evaporation openings in the thermally insulating layer, that contacts liquid and allows the liquid to be transported from a location beneath the thermally insulating layer through to the spectrally-selective solar absorber in order to generate vapor from the liquid. The thermally insulating layer is configured to have a density less than the liquid so that the localized heating structure is able to float on the liquid.

Systems and methods are disclosed that minimize erosion within a high-temperature storage bin by using particle-on-particle flow whereby flow against the wall is minimized thus protecting the walls from erosion. The flat bottom of the bin promotes a stagnant bed of particles around the outlet that provides thermal insulation and protection for the base. The systems and methods may be used for storing particles in a concentrating solar power system.

Systems and methods are disclosed that minimize erosion within a high-temperature storage bin by using particle-on-particle flow whereby flow against the wall is minimized thus protecting the walls from erosion. The flat bottom of the bin promotes a stagnant bed of particles around the outlet that provides thermal insulation and protection for the base. The systems and methods may be used for storing particles in a concentrating solar power system.