The present invention relates to a photo-electrochemical device for production of a gas, liquid or solid using concentrated electromagnetic irradiation. The device comprises a photovoltaic component configured to generate charge carriers from the concentrated electromagnetic irradiation; and an electrochemical component configured to carry out electrolysis of a reactant. The photovoltaic component contacts the electrochemical component at a solid interface to form an integrated photo-electrochemical device; and further includes at least one reactant channel or a plurality of reactant channels extending between the photovoltaic component and the electrochemical component to transfer heat and the reactant from the photovoltaic component to the electrochemical component. The integrated photo-electrochemical device and auxiliary devices (such as concentrator, flow controllers) build a system which can flexibly react to changes in operating condition and guarantee best performance.

A solar panel cooling system and apparatus. The cooling system includes a shroud that is coupleable to a back side of a solar panel. The shroud encloses a space on the back side of the solar panel and includes a nozzle for spraying cooling fluid onto the back side of the solar panel. The cooling fluid spray is contained within the space and is recirculated through a closed loop system to cool the cooling fluid before again being sprayed by the nozzle. Thermal energy absorbed by the solar panel is transferred to the cooling fluid to cool the solar panel. A backing element can be applied to the solar panel that aids transfer of thermal energy to the cooling fluid, directs the drainage flow of the cooling fluid, or comprises a thermo-electric generator to generate additional electrical energy from the system.

According to one embodiment, a cooling plate for a solar panel for cooling a solar panel comprises: a planar body positioned on the rear surface of a solar panel; and a fluid guide part comprising a plurality of flow paths for guiding a fluid for cooling the solar panel, between inlets formed on one side of the planar body and outlets formed on the other side of the planar body, wherein the surface of the planar body that comes into direct contact with a back sheet of the solar panel may be flat.

A solar and electrolytic system includes a moisture harvesting solar system that includes a photovoltaic module having a light receiving surface, a water collection subassembly, and a cleaning subassembly, The water collection subassembly has a water collection vessel and the cleaning subassembly has a water dispensing unit fluidly coupled to the water collection vessel. The solar and electrolytic system also includes an electrolysis cell with an anode and a cathode each extending into an electrolysis tank and each electrically coupled to a power supply. One or more intersystem fluid pathways fluidly couple the water collection vessel of the moisture harvesting solar system with the electrolysis tank of the electrolysis cell and one or more electrical pathways electrically couple the photovoltaic module of the moisture harvesting solar system with the power supply of the electrolysis cell.

A system and methods for electrolysis of saline solutions are provided. An exemplary system provides a tandem electrolysis cell. The tandem electrolysis cell includes a common enclosure that has two chambers. A first chamber is separated from a second chamber by a cation selective membrane. A common anode and a first cathode (cathode A) are disposed in the first chamber. The first cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a saline solution to hydrogen and oxygen. A second cathode (cathode B) is disposed in the second chamber. The second cathode and the common anode are configured to electrolyze a brine solution in the first chamber to form chlorine and water in the second chamber to form hydrogen and hydroxide ions.

A solar powered vehicle topper unit and systems and methods for the same are provided. A solar energy harvesting device is electrically connected to an electronic display within a housing. A support extends between the housing and the solar energy harvesting device such that a bottom surface of the solar energy harvesting device is located above, and spaced apart form, a top surface of the housing to secure the solar energy harvesting device in an elevated position. The solar energy harvesting device has a first footprint, and the housing has a second footprint which is smaller than the first footprint.

This invention relates to flat plate solar collectors and, particularly, to solar panels applied in these flat plate solar collectors.

The proposed solar panel is designed as a shallow box, with rear and front walls, which are conditionally vertically positioned a most part of the external surface of the front wall is provided with a coating absorbing solar radiation.

In addition, the internal side of the rear wall is joined with an auxiliary perforated sheet.

There is a rectangular pipe, which is installed vertically or horizontally on the exterior side of the front wall and serves for passage of a liquid to be heated.

The solar panel is functioning as a flat heat pipe with zones of evaporation and condensation on the front wall.

Elastic deformations of the front and rear walls under difference between atmospheric and internal pressure allows to prevent overheating of liquid in the vertical rectangular pipe.

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) apparatus 10 combines a photovoltaic panel (PV) panel 24 and solar air heater (SAH). The SAH includes body 12 with hollow interior 14 defining ducts 16a, 18a for air inlet 16 and air return 18. Jets 22 provide air to convey heat from the PV panel underside. Spaces between the jets provide drains 26 for warmed air to flow away. Flow modifiers/deflectors 124 can guide the airflow. A fan 42 pushes ambient air into the inlet 16 via air handling unit (AHU) 50. Return warm air flows via the AHU to escape via the ambient exhaust 40. A combined thermal transfer and storage unit 52 determines whether air from the PVT panel(s) diverts to the interior space. For cooler ambient conditions, the PVT apparatus can radiate heat to return cooled air into the space. The PVT apparatus can harvest condensation, heat/cool pools and industrial processes.

A solar energy roof tile, thermally and/or electrically conductively connected to an adjacent solar energy roof tile, includes a lower face for placing on at least some regions of a roof construction, an upper face opposite the lower face formed at least in some regions by a solar energy utilisation module, two opposite lateral walls, a rear face connecting the two lateral walls, and a front face opposite the rear face that connects the lateral walls. The two lateral walls, the rear face and front face together connect the lower and upper faces, such that a cavity is formed between the two lateral walls, the rear face, front face, and lower and upper faces. The lower face has, in the region of the front face, a lower opening for providing access. The upper face has, in the region of the rear face, an upper opening for providing access into the cavity.

A modular, solar energy system comprising one or more modular solar panels. The solar panels include a pair of general planar, plates that are secured together to form a narrow channel therebetween for the circulation of a liquid. The solar panels have inlet and outlet fluid lines in fluid communication via manifolds with a cold fluid supply line and a warm fluid return line, respectively. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell matrix affixed thereto to face the sun. The plates have dividers or partitions that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.