A new system of solar construction, technology and methods for making off structure constructed panel blocks are disclosed.

The present invention provides a hybrid, concentrating photovoltaic-solar thermal (CPV/T) system and components thereof, and methods for converting solar energy to electricity at high efficiencies while capturing and storing solar thermal energy for later deployment.

The present invention provides a hybrid, concentrating photovoltaic-solar thermal (CPV/T) system and components thereof, and methods for converting solar energy to electricity at high efficiencies while capturing and storing solar thermal energy for later deployment.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

A method for storing solar energy and generating electric power comprising the steps of utilizing a solar powered water treatment device (2) to convert non-potable water (3) into distillate (4) and concentrate (5), storing the distillate and the concentrate in a distillate storage tank (104) and a concentrate storage tank (105) respectively and feeding the distillate from the distillate storage tank and the concentrate from the concentrate storage tank to a salient gradient power device (106) to generate electric power.

A method for storing solar energy and generating electric power comprising the steps of utilizing a solar powered water treatment device (2) to convert non-potable water (3) into distillate (4) and concentrate (5), storing the distillate and the concentrate in a distillate storage tank (104) and a concentrate storage tank (105) respectively and feeding the distillate from the distillate storage tank and the concentrate from the concentrate storage tank to a salient gradient power device (106) to generate electric power.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

The invention relates to a system for extracting thermal energy, a method for operating such a system and a thermal module for such a system. More particularly, the system is for extracting thermal energy from sunlight or other thermic energy sources.

The invention relates to a system for extracting thermal energy, a method for operating such a system and a thermal module for such a system. More particularly, the system is for extracting thermal energy from sunlight or other thermic energy sources.

A radial flow processing device includes a body with an inner chamber, a pair of inner and outer concentric tubes extending into the body, and a processing disk containing a central opening through which the inner tube extends, the disk being connected with the inner tube. The body has a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side wall which define the inner chamber. The bottom wall, top wall, or both, contain at least one opening through which at least one tube extends. A diameter of the inner tube is less than a diameter of the outer tube such that there is a space between both tubes, and a diameter of the disk is less than a width of the body.