A desalination system includes a distillation unit to which a fluid to be desalinated is provided and through which a heat transfer fluid flows, and a solar concentration unit configured to heat the heat transfer fluid. The solar concentration unit includes an array of linear Fresnel reflectors, each linear Fresnel reflector of the array of linear Fresnel reflectors rotating about a respective axis, a receiver configured for absorption of light redirected by the array of linear Fresnel reflectors, the receiver comprising tubing through which the heat transfer fluid flows, and a frame supporting and positioning the receiver relative to the array of linear Fresnel reflectors. The frame defines a track along which the receiver is movable to adjust a relative position of the receiver along the respective axis of each linear Fresnel reflector of the array of linear Fresnel reflectors.

A double point focusing solar energy collection apparatus of the present invention includes a heat collector, a secondary concentrator, and a bracket. The heat collector includes a primary concentrator and a heat collection tube, in which the primary concentrator has a focus point. The secondary concentrator has a focus point. The bracket supports the primary concentrator, the heat collection tube, and the secondary concentrator. The heat collection tube is located between the primary concentrator and the secondary concentrator and located on the focus points of the secondary concentrator and the primary concentrator. By adding the secondary concentrator, which is a rotating paraboloid reflector or circular Fresnel reflector, it can achieve low light loss and high heat collection efficiency, and erosion of the heat collection tube by sand, rain, and snow can be effectively prevented, thereby extending the lifetime of the heat collection tube effectively.

The present invention is a solar concentrator composed of a generally V-shaped trough of reflective Fresnel steps. The Fresnel reflective steps concentrate the sunlight entering the mouth of the V-shaped trough and parallel to its central axis into a central focal area. By disposing a solar energy receiving element at the central focal area of sunlight concentration a preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector is realized. Various types of solar energy receiving structures are shown that serve to convert the concentrated sunlight into other forms of useful energy to realize the preferred embodiment as a concentrating solar energy collector.

To provide an efficient transportation possibility for mirror units which is reliable and cost-effective in equal measure, end panels are first attached to the end faces of the mirror units such that several of the end panels complement one another so as to form a transport device with which the mirror units can be assembled in order to form a transport unit. The end panels form a support frame, which can be anchored in base rails, in a manner similar to a jigsaw puzzle, the support frame allowing a secure and simple transport of multiple mirror units on a narrow space.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

A solar concentrator may have a horizontal circular track on the ground, a tower centered on a vertical axis of the track, and a rotatable structure around the track having an upper, concave mounting surface approximating the shape of part of a sphere centered on the top of the tower. Articulated concave mirrors are attached to the rotatable structure, and the mirrors have a focal length approximately equal to the radius of a sphere portion formed by the concave mounting surface. Sunlight is focused at a receiver mounted atop the tower, and the receiver may convert sunlight into thermal or electrical energy. As the position of the Sun changes, sunlight is maintained on the receiver by turning the rotatable structure toward the Sun, turning the receiver about said vertical axis to face the mirrors, and articulating the mirrors toward the receiver in response to the changing elevation of the Sun.

A photovoltaic retrofit device for a concentrating solar thermal power plant having a parabolic trough reflector, and a fluid receiver with working fluid therein spaced from the reflector and positioned at a focal point of the reflector. The photovoltaic device includes a plurality of adjustable angle dichroic mirrors positioned between the parabolic trough reflector and the fluid receiver. A photovoltaic receiver assembly has multiple photovoltaic panels in angular relationship to each other. A photovoltaic temperature regulating system includes a fluid medium to regulate temperature of the photovoltaic panels.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises one or more primary reflectors, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises one or more secondary concentrators and a heat transfer tube. Each primary reflector comprises a flat elongated mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that each primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axes of the one or more primary reflectors. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

A film stretching unit uses a solar-thermal process temperature control system for a film stretching unit. The process temperature control system comprises at least a solar heat generator and a heat storage unit. A heat consumer circuit is connected to the heat storage unit in order to be capable of drawing stored thermal energy to supply a film stretching unit 1 with thermal energy.

Prior art solar energy arrangements are typically structurally complex, have a limited concentration factor and temperature, and their dimensions are large. There is provided a solar energy arrangement and corresponding method for utilizing solar energy by directing sunrays or sunbeams with at least one solar concentrator towards at least one application, device or equipment utilizing solar energy, and a corresponding method, system and computer program product for implementing an arrangement for utilizing solar energy.