The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured (mounted) to the pivoting apparatus for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprising an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

The solar collector unit is adapted for reflecting light onto a receiver, and comprises a reflector element, and a support structure supporting the reflector element. The reflector element is flexible and comprises a reflective surface and a substrate having a predefined length and width. The support structure comprises a predefined number of profiles per length unit connected to the reflector element at a distance from each other to provide a predefined shape of the solar collector unit. The number of profiles per length of substrate may be varied and lies in the interval 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, most preferred 5 to 8 per 2000 mm of length of the substrate.

A foam sandwich reflector and a method for making a foam sandwich reflector. The reflector and method incorporate a foam slab having a top and bottom surface. Each of the top and bottom surface of the foam slab have a coating of an adhesive layer. The adhesive coating on the bottom surface of the foam slab is a lower bonding layer that bonds the foam slab to the bottom high modulus layer. The adhesive coating on the top surface of the foam slab is an upper bonding layer that bonds the foam slab to the top high modulus layer; bottom high modulus layer composed of a metal, e.g., aluminum or steel. The reflector and method also include an optically smooth, highly reflective high modulus layer. The reflector is curved in one dimension, and the curve is configured to concentrate light when the reflector is in use.

The solar energy concentrator and collector system consists of a) longitudinal sheets, plates or bands of transparent plastic, carrying linear Fresnel lenses, b) longitudinal sheets, plates or bands of transparent plastic, carrying mirrors. Fresnel type or formed by multiple mini or linear reflective micro-mirrors integrated into them, b) sheets, plates or arched bands that carry multiple lenses or mini-lenses of cylinder segment section, c) mirrors arranged in a Fresnel type shape, d) of V-shaped mirrors, e) semi-parabolic mirrors of) plastic lenses filled with liquid, supported peripherally by cables, poles or a frame, which concentrate the solar rays in an equally longitudinal focus or duct, with a flattened ovoid or rectangular section. of large surface that carries a fluid, which when it is water evaporates, driving a turbine and goes to a generator.

Embodiments include a kit comprising parts capable of being assembled into a reflector structure. In some embodiment, the kit includes (i) a deployable frame with a set of node connectors and a set of rods, (ii) a parabolic member comprising a track, a first parabolic-member end, and a second parabolic-member end, and (iii) a reflective membrane comprising an edge bead configured to interface with the track of the parabolic member such that, when the reflector structure is assembled, the reflective membrane is stretched substantially along the track of the parabolic member.

The disclosed technology describes methods and devices for generating electricity and heat using a parabolic solar panel which employs photo-voltaic and photo-thermal technology. Embodiments include forming a flexible substrate into a parabola. A plurality of flexible photo-voltaic cells is disposed in a grid pattern over the interior surface of the parabola. Photo-reflective mirrors are disposed on the parabola's interior surface in areas not occupied by photo-voltaic cells. A copper pipe is positioned to coincide with the parabola's focal line, so that light rays reflected off the parabola are focused on the copper pipe. Inflow and outflow tubes are attached to opposite ends of the copper pipe. Water or other heat absorbing liquid is circulated through the copper pipe where the liquid absorbs thermal energy of the sunrays reflected from the photo-reflective mirrors. The liquid can be directed to a device which converts the liquid's thermal energy to electricity. Electricity produced by the photo-voltaic cells is stored in a battery.

The present invention relates to a rotating solar concentrating device wherein reflective sheets hung in a catenary trough shape capable of solar concentration may be protectively furled and balanced and rotated about a vertical axis. The reflective sheets may be furled to protect them from damage from wind, rain, and dust. In some embodiments, rotating parts of the device may be hung from supports above. In some embodiments, a furling mechanism may initiate protective furling in response to damaging environmental factors. Some embodiments may concentrate light on a photovoltaic cell wherein the photovoltaic cell is cooled by immersion in a heat pipe. In some embodiments, reflective surfaces may be supported by cables that are tensioned by a hanging, rotating ballast. In some embodiments, the device may be employed in a ganged array. In some embodiments, the invention may harvest wind energy as a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT).

A device for holding a material and a method for holding such materials. The device includes a lower part having at least two engagement points, at least one elongated flexible tensioning element that is attached suspended between the engagement points, and traction mechanisms that are attached on the tensioning element or are part of the tensioning element. The tensioning element is connected to, encloses or carries the material, and the device is configured such that all traction mechanisms can be pulled simultaneously with identical or different tensile force in the direction of the lower part.

A solar concentrator has frame members connected together to form a framework, and a flexible sheet attached to the framework such that the flexible sheet takes a loose shape and can flex in response to shaping forces exerted thereon. The sheet has a reflective surface located between the frame members. A shaping force system is operative, when activated, to exert the shaping forces on the sheet, the shaping forces configured to draw the sheet from the loose shape into a desired shape such that solar rays striking the reflective surface are focused on a target, and a solar energy receiver is attached to the framework at a location corresponding to the target. Thin wall tubing filled with pressurized air can provide strong light frame members. When the shaping force system is deactivated, the flexible sheet reverts substantially to the loose shape.

A heliostat includes a reflector that has at least one segment arranged in a segment assembly and that defines a reflecting surface; a rigid spaceframe structure that includes a plurality of struts joined at nodes, the plurality of struts supporting the segment assembly so as to hold the reflecting surface in a concave toroidal shape; a dual-axis mount constructed and arranged to support and orient the rigid spaceframe structure and the segment assembly so as to reflect sunlight incident on the reflecting surface toward a distant receiving surface, the dual-axis mount including at least two drives; at least one mechanical linkage coupled to at least one drive of the dual-axis mount and configured to change a relative position of at least two nodes of the rigid spaceframe structure in synchronization with motion of the at least one drive, and thereby changing a shape of the rigid spaceframe structure and the reflector.