A thermal receiver, such as a solar flux thermal receiver, is disclosed comprising a modular arrangement of arrayed microchannels or micropins to heat a working fluid by heat transfer. Disclosed solar receivers provide a much higher solar flux and consequently a significant reduction in thermal losses, size, and cost, relative to known receivers. Unit cell receivers can be numbered up and combined in parallel to form modules, and modules combined to form full scale receivers.

The solar thermal collection and radiant heating system for a spa comprising upper and lower absorber members having fluid passageways and in thermal communication, a skin member encasing said upper and lower absorber members and an insulative member located therebetween the upper and lower members and a solar collection device located on the skin member.

The present invention discloses a receiver for a concentrated thermal system. The thermal system includes a first heat exchange element helically coiled to receive a solar radiation from a first reflector and the second heat exchange element. Further, the first heat exchange element includes a first end and a second end to enable circulation of a heat exchange fluid in the first heat exchange element. The second heat exchange element being a helically coiled element is extending from and fluidically connected to the first end of the first heat exchange element. Further, the second heat exchange element is configured to receive absorb a part of solar radiation to preheat the heat exchange fluid flowing therein.

The present invention discloses a receiver for a concentrated thermal system. The thermal system includes a first heat exchange element helically coiled to receive a solar radiation from a first reflector and the second heat exchange element. Further, the first heat exchange element includes a first end and a second end to enable circulation of a heat exchange fluid in the first heat exchange element. The second heat exchange element being a helically coiled element is extending from and fluidically connected to the first end of the first heat exchange element. Further, the second heat exchange element is configured to receive absorb a part of solar radiation to preheat the heat exchange fluid flowing therein.

The present disclosure is directed to a solar receiver having improved heliostat field control. The solar receiver includes a plurality of receiver panels arranged adjacent to one another. Each receiver panel includes a plurality of receiver tubes aligned tangentially to one another. Further, each of the plurality of receiver tubes includes an inlet and an outlet. In addition, at least one of the inlets or outlets of the plurality of receiver tubes are arranged at a center of the receiver panel along a height thereof.

A solar power installation having cooled bifacial photovoltaic solar modules for converting solar energy into electrical and thermal energy. The installation comprises a bifacial photovoltaic (PV) module having a liquid cooling system, a panel including bifacial PV cells, and a flat mirror concentrator for concentrating light on the panel. The installation also comprises a heat exchanger; a solar tracking system; and a parabolic mirror concentrator. The liquid cooling system has a closed circulation circuit. A first circuit section has a passage located over surfaces of the panel with the bifacial PV cells for cooling the surfaces of the panel. A second circuit section is located such that coolant passes through a focus of the parabolic mirror concentrator for additional heating of the coolant passing therein prior to entering the heat exchanger.

A mobile solar charging facility. The present invention relates to power supply and charging techniques for a mobile electric apparatus during movement, and in particular to such a facility having a combined technique of a solar photovoltaic battery and solar thermal power generation, and matching techniques and extended applications related to light compensation, energy storage, etc. The present invention is aimed at solving the problem of charging an electric vehicle when traveling. A highly cost-effective solar power source is used for power supply. The technical solutions of a contact rail and a collector shoe are used for mobile power supply and charging. An arc extinction circuit and an energy storage super-capacitor are provided in a line, and a safety protection measure is provided. A condenser lens and a compensation lens which can increase a power generation amount and do not need to be tracked as provided for solar power generation.

An external solar receiver, for a concentrating thermodynamic solar power plant of the type with a tower and heliostat field, has a wind tight modular inner structure, also called “casing,” and a plurality of heat exchanger tube receiver panels fastened to that inner structure. Each panel has a plurality of metal boxes supporting the heat exchanger tubes and assembled to one another by assembly means allowing the disassembly, each box being covered with thermal insulation via an anchor. The tubes are secured to the boxes by a removable and floating connector.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

A solar thermal collector adapted to be assembled from a flat pack configuration, comprising a conduit (6) configured to carry fluid and to absorb radiation, a base (1) above which the conduit (6) is mounted and a plurality of panels configured to interconnect with the base (1) to produce a housing (8) for the conduit (6).