A housing for a solar panel is provided and is comprised of a glazed element and a tray. The tray includes a plate, a pair of side walls, a top end cap and a bottom end cap. The tray also includes a lip configured to seat the glazed element. Wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap, the bottom end cap are formed of a single material and configured as a single integral component and wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity. Wherein said top end cap includes a top header, said top header extending the length of said top end cap and said top header extending outward from said top end cap and in a direction away from said cavity.

A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

A solar collector can comprise: a polymeric housing; a polymeric cover attached to the housing defining an internal volume of the solar collector; a solar energy absorber attached to the housing and located within an area defined by the housing and the cover; wherein the housing comprises a flexible sealing member; and wherein the cover comprises a honeycomb structure.

A solar collector is provided. The collector comprises a monolithic flow control component to direct a flow of the heat transfer fluid between an inlet and outlet; and a solar absorber supported by the monolithic flow control component. The monolithic flow control component is able to support the solar absorber without any additional structural components to lend mechanical strength to the monolithic flow control component.

A heating and/or cooling module for a photovoltaic panel includes a 3D-textile core having a first main surface and a second main surface parallel thereto, together enclosing a volume, and a plurality of piles attaching the main surfaces to each other. An inlet is provided into the volume and an outlet out of the volume, so that a fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet through the volume. At least one of the first main surface and the second main surface includes a plastic sealing layer, and that the first and second main surface are connected to each other by melting of the plastic sealing layer. A method of manufacturing such a module and a photovoltaic panel with such a module.

The present invention provides a mounting unit for solar panels that simplifies the complexity of storage, transit and in-field installation of solar electric generation systems. According to one embodiment, the mounting unit comprises a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of panel guides, each formed integral with and adjacent to an opposing side of the top panel. Each panel guide includes a horizontal portion for supporting a solar panel and a vertical portion for providing an air channel between a bottom surface of the solar panel and an upper surface of the top panel. The air channel enables natural convection to cool the solar panel and optionally a power conversion device used within the system, thereby improving the solar conversion efficiency of the system. An improved method for installing a solar electric generation system is also provided herein.

Our invention consists of two separate and discrete families of polymers, e.g. thermosetting Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP) and thermoplastics. Both are used as the materials of construction to fabricate solar thermal collectors. These families have the same general configuration and are based upon the same principles. Both families are used in a form that some of the walls of the collector are translucent. Both families incorporate a passage through which the thermal fluid flows. Both families make use of dyes to absorb energy from the sun in the fluid and the collector walls. Each of the families makes use of improved collector configurations and designs and special operating approaches. Each family can serve different markets for different solar thermal collectors. In particular, FRP stands alone as an emerging new category of materials for a broad range of applications including everything from novel solar thermal collectors to exotic airplanes.

The invention, in some embodiments, relates to solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to liquid-air transpired solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to thermal energy transfer systems that comprise solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of constructing solar energy collectors are provided.

A solar thermal collector adapted to be assembled from a flat pack configuration, comprising a conduit (6) configured to carry fluid and to absorb radiation, a base (1) above which the conduit (6) is mounted and a plurality of panels configured to interconnect with the base (1) to produce a housing (8) for the conduit (6).

A solar thermal collector adapted to be assembled from a flat pack configuration, comprising a conduit (6) configured to carry fluid and to absorb radiation, a base (1) above which the conduit (6) is mounted and a plurality of panels configured to interconnect with the base (1) to produce a housing (8) for the conduit (6).