An integrated wind and solar solution is provided, including a solar energy collection assembly (100) and a vertical axis wind turbine (400), combined to provide an integrated power output. In preferred embodiments, the vertical axis wind turbine is positioned above the solar energy collection assembly. Concentrating solar mirror collectors (116) are used to direct sunlight to a heat engine (250), which converts the collected heat energy into rotary motion. Rotary motion from the heat engine and from the vertical axis wind turbine preferably are on the same rotating axis (600), to facilitate load sharing between these two sources. A dual axis azimuth-altitude solar panel alignment tracking system is used in order to boost the energy conversion capability of the solar energy collectors.

Radiant energy traps are disclosed which comprise diffuse radiant energy concentrators with at least one reflector and receiver. A diffuse light concentrator (DLC) with optimizable flexibility may be used in multiple applications, such as solar electric, thermal (air or water), hybrid or a combination system.

A roof product has a thermal heat storage layer, a vent layer with channels for transferring excess heat through a length of the roof product, and a flame retardant to suppress fire through the vent layer. These three materials form a unitary structure. The roof product may have a radiant layer, the thermal heat storage layer and the vent layer to form the unitary structure. The roof products are assembled in an abutting configuration on the roof of a building. The vent layer vents excess heat from an eave of the roof up to a ridge of the roof and out to atmosphere. The roof products manage thermal energy in the roof by storing thermal heat with the unitary roof product during a heating cycle; venting excess heat through the unitary product; and releasing the stored thermal heat from the unitary product into or out of the building during a cooling cycle.

Solar and steam hybrid power generation system including a solar steam generator, an external steam regulator, a turboset, and a power generator. A steam outlet end of the solar steam generator is connected to a steam inlet of the turboset. A steam outlet end of the external steam regulator is connected to the steam inlet of the turboset. A steam outlet of the turboset is connected to the input end of a condenser, and the output end of the condenser is connected to the input end of a deaerator. The output end of the deaerator is connected to the input end of a water feed pump. The output end of the water feed pump is connected to a circulating water input end of the solar steam generator. The output end of the water feed pump is connected to a water-return bypass of the external steam.

A device for treating smooth surfaces includes a treatment unit, a support structure with a pivoting support arm for positioning and holding the treatment unit and a load balancer for setting and automatically controlling the contact pressure acting on the surface to be treated by the treatment unit. The treatment unit in the form of a spraying device includes at least one support roller or support wheel for supporting the treatment unit against the surface to be treated.

A stationary radiation focusing device focuses incident radiation onto a movable radiation receiving element. The radiation focusing device is a curved mirror optimally configured to concentrate the reflected solar energy in a circle of focus aligned with the central axis of the mirror. The radiation receiving element constrained to follow a circle of focus associated with a given point(s) on the mirror's surface. A mirror support structure holds fixed the surface of the mirror in a region about the given point(s), and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the mirror at locations removed from the given point(s) flexes the other regions of the mirror in a manner to compensate for focusing error so that solar radiation incident on such other regions is more nearly focused on the radiation receiving element.

A thin-film coating applicator assembly is disclosed for coating substrates in outdoor applications. The innovative thin-film coating applicator assembly is adapted to apply performance enhancement coatings on installed photovoltaic panels and glass windows in outdoor environments. The coating applicator is adapted to move along a solar panel or glass pane while applicator mechanisms deposit a uniform layer of liquid coating solution to the substrate's surface. The applicator assembly comprises a conveyance means disposed on a frame. Further disclosed are innovative applicator heads that comprise a deformable sponge-like core surrounded by a microporous layer. The structure, when in contact with a substrate surface, deposits a uniform layer of coating solution over a large surface.

A method for inspecting a solar panel of a solar power station is performed in a controller for an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and includes the steps of: receiving an inspection request for a subset of the solar panels navigating, in a first stage, using radio signals, the UAV to an initial location in a vicinity of a particular solar panel of the subset of solar panels; positioning, in a second stage, the UAV using at least one near field sensor of the UAV; and capturing, using the infrared camera, an image of the particular solar panel.

1. Method for controlling a flying body for cleaning surfaces

2.1. Flying bodies can cover large distances between arrangements of smooth and curved surfaces without requiring manual manipulation. This reduces personnel requirements and enables large surfaces to be maintained, for example solar power stations, in a fully automated manner.

2.2. The method for controlling a flying body for cleaning surfaces consists of detecting the surrounding surfaces of an object to be cleaned, directing the flying body with respect thereto and structuring the flight path. As a result, the surface can be cleaned particularly efficiently and, if needed, worked on further.

2.3. Said method for controlling a flying object for cleaning surfaces is suitable for use on glass facades or on solar power stations, particularly in arid regions.

The present disclosure relates to down-shifting nanophosphors, a method for preparing the same, and a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) using the same. The down-shifting nanophosphors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure include a core including NaYF.sub.4 nanocrystals doped with neodymium (Nd) and ytterbium (Yb), and further include a neodymium (Nd)-doped crystalline shell surrounding the core, or further include a NaYF.sub.4 crystalline shell surrounding the crystalline shell. Therefore, the down-shifting nanophosphors efficiently absorb near infrared rays with a wavelength range of 700-900 nm and efficiently emit near infrared rays with a wavelength range of 950-1050 nm. In addition, the down-shifting nanophosphors according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a size of 60 nm or less, and thus can be applied to manufacture transparent LSC films with ease and can realize transparent solar cell modules having high near infrared ray shifting efficiency.