A solar electricity generator including an array of photovoltaic power generating elements, and a single continuous smooth solar reflecting surface, the surface being arranged to reflect light from the sun onto the array of photovoltaic power generating elements, wherein the flux per area at a point of minimum flux per area on the array is approximately 75% of the flux per area at a point of maximum flux per area, the intercept factor of the array is at least 70%, and the optical fill factor of the array is at least 60%.

A solar array for collecting sunlight that is converted into electricity. The array includes an arrangement of solar collectors strategically positioned on a frame to maximize the amount of sunlight collected in relation to the size of the array. The collectors are plate like members with a reflective side and shaped so that sunlight collected by the reflective side is concentrated at a location away from the reflective side. The collectors are recumbently positioned in rows with their respective reflective sides directed away from the array frame. The collectors are spaced apart so that no collector casts shade on any part of another collector and substantially no sunlight between adjacent collectors.

Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.

A solar energy converter including a solar concentration module, thermal storage unit, and power-conversion unit is described. The concentration module reorients and concentrates sunlight to gather solar heat into the converter. The thermal storage unit absorbs and releases excess thermal energy both for heating and electricity generation. The power-conversion unit generates electricity using the heat gradient within the converter. The disclosed solar energy converter can further be incorporated into a larger system to optimize operation.

An energy harvesting system is disclosed including a plurality of beams connected to form a structural frame, and a plurality of solar concentrator panels mounted on the structural frame to provide a solar concentrator array for reflecting solar radiation onto a plurality of receiver tubes configured to transport a heat transfer fluid to be heated. The beams are configured to support a mobile manipulator for travel along the structural frame for performing at least one operation on the array. A mirror apparatus used in a solar concentrator panel is also disclosed and includes an elongate thin-walled closed structural beam, and a mirror extending along and mounted to a surface of the closed structural beam in a transversely deformed condition to cause the mirror to have a transverse curvature that is selected to focus the solar radiation onto a receiver tube.

The invention provides a solar collector arrangement which includes a reflector (12), a collector (14) and a support arrangement (16). The support arrangement is configured to permit relative displacement of the reflector and the collector between an operative condition, in which the collector is positioned to receive reflected radiation from the reflector, and a stowed condition. In the stowed condition, the spacing between the reflector and the collector is less than in the operative condition and the wind loading on the solar collector arrangement is less than in the operative condition. The invention extends to a solar assembly which includes a mobile platform on which the solar collector arrangement is mounted.

Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.