Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as colored solar-reflective roofing granules, and to methods for making and their use in roofing products. One aspect of the disclosure provides a collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules, wherein substantially each roofing granule includes an inner layer of a porous ceramic material, the pore size and material of the inner layer being selected such that the inner layer is substantially reflective of infrared radiation; and disposed about and substantially surrounding the inner layer, an outer layer of a substantially colored ceramic material, the outer layer of substantially colored ceramic material being substantially transmissive to infrared radiation, the collection of colored solar-reflective roofing granules having a L* of no more than 60 and a solar reflectivity of at least 30%.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

The present invention describes a polymeric solar heater that has the advantage of being able to be operated at different pressures, from low to high pressure without having to make adjustments or modifications, since it has grooved reinforcement flanges on the outside of the tank, which prevents the movement of some reinforcement elements allowing to increase the baric capacity of the tank, another advantage that characterizes the present invention is that the casing and the tank are made of polymers, which allow the temperature to be kept inside for longer, given their low coefficient of thermal conduction. Another significant advantage of the polymeric solar heater is that the collectors have integrated thermal receptors that allow them to capture thermal energy more easily, in addition to having mechanical reinforcements that increase the resistance of said collectors against impacts.

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.

Ridge vents and deck covers are disclosed that have a fibrous mesh mat and a moisture barrier. The mesh mat may be contoured to define a variety of structures and may have regions of relatively higher fiber density and regions of relatively lower fiber density. Solar cells may be exposed on the ridge vents to collect solar energy when the vents are exposed to sunlight.

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.

Systems and methods for falling particle receivers are disclosed that include shield or deflector structures around the receiver aperture to reduce wind effects and/or heat losses from the falling particles. External and internal structures are disclosed that can be tailored to reduce particle, thermal, and radiative losses from within the cavity receiver due to external wind and the falling particles that are irradiated within the receiver. Structures of varying shapes, sizes, and composition (transparent, reflective) are described.

A hybrid solar window comprises: at least one glazing; a wave-length-selective solar mirror positioned to reflect IR toward an IR absorbing element. The IR absorbing elements comprises a conduit having a respective fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and an IR absorbing compound, wherein the IR absorbing compound is in thermal communication with the conduit. The wavelength-selective solar mirror has an average visible light transmittance of at least 50 percent and an average IR reflectance of at least 50 percent over the wavelength range of 850 to 1150 nanometers, inclusive. The IR absorbing element is configured to transfer thermal energy to a heat transfer fluid circulating through the conduit, wherein the IR absorbing element has an average visible light transmittance of at least 30 percent, and wherein each IR absorbing element has an average IR absorptance of at least 50 percent over the wavelength range 850 to 1150 nanometers, inclusive. Certain IR absorbing elements are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to self powered and timer based solar panel cleaning system that is operated by self generating electrical power from solar energy and reduces wear and tear problem of moving parts. In this system, the microcontroller (54) is interfaced with motor driver (51) and brush driver (52). Said motor driver (51) and brush driver (52) control the speed of wheel motor (32) and brush driver (33). When ultrasonic sensor (5) sends signal to microcontroller (54), said microcontroller (54) generates and transmits signal to wheel motor driver (51) and brush driver (52). Thus, when structure reaches nearby the end edge of the solar panel array, said drivers gradually reduce r.p.m. of wheel motor (32) and brush motor (33) and then motors stop when machine reaches to opposite platform. Thus, during alteration of mode, r.p.m. of motors will be at substantially low that prevents the moving parts from damage.