A hybrid receiver for a concentrator photovoltaic-thermal power system combines a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module and a thermal module that converts concentrated sunlight into electrical energy and thermal heat. Heat transfer fluid flowing through a cooling block removes waste heat generated by photovoltaic cells in the CPV module. The heat transfer fluid then flows through a helical tube illuminated by sunlight that misses the CPV module. Only one fluid system is used to both remove the photovoltaic-cell waste heat and capture high-temperature thermal energy from sunlight. Fluid leaving the hybrid receiver can have a temperature greater than 200° C., and therefore may be used as a source of process heat for a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The hybrid receiver can maintain the photovoltaic cells at temperatures below 110° C. while achieving overall energy conversion efficiencies exceeding 80%.

A hybrid power and heat generating device (100) comprising: a photovoltaic solar power collector (102) configured to collect solar power from solar radiation received on an active side (103) of the photovoltaic solar power collector; and a heat exchanging unit (104) configured to cool the photovoltaic solar power collector, which heat exchanging unit includes a cooling plate (106;404;504704) arranged to transfer heat from the photovoltaic solar power collector (102) to a cooling medium. The heat exchanging unit (104) is adapted to transport the cooling medium away from the cooling plate (106;404;504;704) for heat extraction from the cooling medium. The cooling plate (106;404;504;704) is arranged with a gap (110) from a rear side (111) of the photovoltaic solar power collector (102) and the cooling medium is arranged to cool the cooling plate (106;404;504;704) to a temperature which allows water vapor of the ambient air in the gap (110) to condensate into water on the cooling plate (106;404;504;704) in the gap (110). The hybrid power and heat generating device (100) being operable in at least two operation modes; a normal operation mode in which the gap (110) is at least partly filled with condensed water, which condensed water transfers heat from the photovoltaic solar power collector (102) to the cooling plate (106;404;504;704); and a security operation mode in which the gap (110) is filled with air to thereby reduce the heat transfer from the photovoltaic solar collector (102) to the cooling plate (106;404;504;704).

A device is provided which reduces the temperature of a solar PV panel. The device includes an enclosure comprising a heat sink attachable to a bottom side of the solar PV panel to provide an air channel, and a tornado tube. The tornado pipe may be oriented vertically to the plane of the earth, and may act as a solar chimney, instigating a flow of air to enter the enclosure through an air inlet. This air flow may be drawn across the heat sink and exit back to the atmosphere through the tornado tube.

A thin support structure for solar collectors is provided. The support structure includes service lines, such as fluid lines and electrical signal lines, disposed within an interior cavity of the support structure. The movement and flexing of the service lines is accounted for by a pulley assembly having a rotating element, without the need for complex and expensive swivel joints and slip rings.

A photovoltaic panel assembly including a heat sink and a plurality of photovoltaic modules mounted on the heat sink. Each photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic element separated from an emitter assembly by a gap. The emitter assembly includes an emitter and applies force towards the photovoltaic element to maintain the gap. The photovoltaic panel assembly may also utilize a force application layer on the emitter and be bolted in place. A housing can be used for protection and to transfer energy to the emitter. The heat sink cantilevers into the housing to define a space between the photovoltaic modules and the inner surface of the housing. Preferably, the housing maintains a vacuum and, in turn, the gap is evacuated. The heat sink can be monolithic and cooled with fluid pumped therethrough. The emitter may be transparent or at least partially transmissive.

The combination photovoltaic and thermal energy system includes a reverse flat plate solar collector (RFPC) mounted above a ground-based thermal energy storage reservoir and a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) panel mounted above the absorber plate of the RFPC. Heat exchanger pipes or conduits in the RFPC and the PV-T are connected so that the heat exchange fluid is preheated in the PV-T and then passes through the RFPC absorber plate, where it is heated to intermediate temperature ranges. The PV-T panel may be a monofacial PC-T panel, a bifacial PV-T panel, or a trifacial PV-T panel.

A solar power system (11) which comprises a plurality of solar energy collecting means (10,10a,10b,10c) respectively comprising a platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) floating on liquid in a liquid reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), each platform assembly carrying solar energy concentrators or collectors and respective reservoirs (14,14a,14b,14c), being interconnected in series and arranged in a cascading relationship such that the flooding of a platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) in one reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), for protection of the concentrators or collectors under liquid displaces liquid in that reservoir (14,14a,14b,14c), and causes the flooding of an adjacent lower platform assembly (16,16a,16b,16c) to protect the concentrators or collectors carried thereon.

A power electronics system comprising a environmentally sealed electronics compartment for housing power electronics equipment is provided. The system includes a plenum within the sealed electronic compartment for circulating air. A first liquid cooling loop is configured to cool air flowing through the plenum. A second liquid cooling loop configured to directly cool the power electronics equipment. The system includes a controller configured to independently control the flow rate of the first liquid cooling loop and the second liquid cooling loop.

[Prblem]To propose a simplified configuration with which a solar power generation device can be easily and quickly assembled and installed and to propose a solar power generation device configuration with which the wind resistance is preferably more reduced.

[Solution] The solar power generation device supporting frame integrated with a solar power generation panel is fixed to at least one of a plurality of supporting poles projected upward from an installation base surface, has a rod-like body appearance, and has a solar power generation panel integrally provided at least along the upper side curved surface thereof without being separated from the upper side curved surface. Preferably, the solar power generation device supporting frame integrated with the solar power generation panel is fixed to the supporting poles horizontally.

A cabinet air duct, a cabinet assembly and a photovoltaic inverter are provided according to the present application, where the cabinet air duct includes a cabinet and an air duct arranged in the cabinet. The cabinet is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet that are in communication with the air duct. The air inlet is arranged on a first side surface of the cabinet, the air outlet is arranged on a second side surface of the cabinet, and the first side surface and the second side surface are two opposite side surfaces of the cabinet.