A solar energy converter comprising: a solar energy absorber, the solar energy absorber comprising a photovoltaic element; a heat transfer element in thermal contact with the solar energy absorber; a primary heat exchanger in thermal contact with the heat transfer element; a secondary heat exchanger; and a heat transfer control element; wherein the heat transfer control element is arranged to selectively place the secondary heat exchanger either in thermal contact with the heat transfer element or out of thermal contact with the heat transfer element.

The present invention discloses novel solar autoclave equipment, which comprises an autoclave and a steam providing device, wherein said steam providing device is a solar heating device and comprises a plurality of vacuum tubes which are fixedly arranged outdoors and a connecting tube, a tubular water tank is installed in each said vacuum tube in an insertion manner, each said tubular water tank is in the shape of a straight tube with a closed lower end and an open upper end, the upper end of each said tubular water tank stretches out of said corresponding vacuum tube and is communicated with said connecting tube, and a space between the outer surface of the upper end of said tubular water tank and the inner wall of the upper end of said corresponding vacuum tube is sealed; and an inlet of said connecting tube is connected with a condensate water drain outlet of said autoclave, and an outlet of said connecting tube is connected to a steam input port of said autoclave through a compressor. The present invention uses the compressor to depressurize the solar heating device to obtain steam, the steam is pumped into the autoclave and condensed to release heat to provide corresponding temperature and pressure to the autoclave, and thus the solar heating device can be applied on autoclave equipment.

The disclosed invention relates to solar-thermal receiver tubes for heating high-temperature fluids such as molten salts and oils, such as those used in conjunction with trough reflectors or concentric concentrators. The disclosed invention utilizes fused silica receiver tube assemblies that provide optical absorption by way of optically-absorbing media that is imbedded within the thermal transfer fluid, preferably comprising inorganic dyes that comprise pulverized thin film coatings or dissolved materials that are specifically designed for maximizing optical absorption. Alternatively, the chemistry of the transfer fluid can be modified to increase optical absorption, or the optically absorbing media may comprise fine powders with density preferably similar to the thermal transfer fluid, such as fine graphite powder; or, in another preferred embodiment, absorbing means within the heat transfer fluid comprise a solid absorbing element disposed along the central axis of the receiver tube's interior.

In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.

In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid. The collector makes use of the heat transfer fluid itself to prevent heat loss through radiation.