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 header assemblies affixed to opposite edges thereof and which control the entry of liquid into the channel and the exit therefrom. The inlet header assembly has a plurality of nozzles that are adjustable in size to control flow therethrough while the outlet header assembly has elongated nozzles to receive flow or liquid from the channel. The plates are preferably constructed of aluminum and one plate has a photovoltaic cell affixed thereto to face the sun and the other plate has a plurality of indentations that enhance the heat transfer characteristics with respect to the liquid flowing though the channel between the plates.

A solar thermal collector and an accessory structure of a building are provided. The solar thermal collector includes at least one heat absorbing plate and at least one heat insulating plate. Each of the heat absorbing plate includes at least one first slab and first engaging parts connected with the first slab. Each of the heat insulating plate includes at least one second slab and second engaging parts connected with the second slab. The first engaging parts are respectively engaged with the second engaging parts, and a gap is maintained between the first slab and the second slab to define a heat collecting channel, through which a heat transfer medium flows between the heat absorbing plate and the heat insulating plate. A heat conductivity of the heat absorbing plate is at least 30 times greater than a heat conductivity of the heat insulating plate.

A plate heat exchanger for solar heating includes a plurality of channels extending between an inlet and an outlet for conducting a heat transferring fluid. The plurality of channels is defined between a first plate and a second plate, the first and second plates being formed by stainless steel. Each of the plurality of channels has a single-curved extension between the inlet and the outlet as seen in a plane corresponding to the major surface extension of the first and second plates. Each of the plurality of channels has along at least a portion of its longitudinal extension a triangular or a chamfered triangular cross-section or a parallelogram or a chamfered parallelogram cross-section. The side walls of two adjacent channels define an angle corresponding to, or smaller than, 100 degrees and more preferred smaller than 90 degrees.

A power panel assembly according to the present disclosure includes a photovoltaic (PV) panel and an enclosure. The PV panel includes a plurality of PV cells and a PV cell tray having a top surface on which the plurality of PV cells are placed and a bottom surface opposite of the top surface. The enclosure includes an inner plate supporting the PV panel and an outer shell having a plurality of sidewalls surrounding the inner plate. The inner plate and the PV panel define a fluid flow path therebetween that allows fluid to flow between the PV panel and the enclosure and absorb heat from the PV panel. The inner plate and the outer shell define a channel therebetween that extends around an outer perimeter of the inner plate and separates the inner plate and the outer shell from one another.

A solar thermal collector and an accessory structure of a building are provided. The solar thermal collector includes at least one heat absorbing plate and at least one heat insulating plate. Each of the heat absorbing plate includes at least one first slab and first engaging parts connected with the first slab. Each of the heat insulating plate includes at least one second slab and second engaging parts connected with the second slab. The first engaging parts are respectively engaged with the second engaging parts, and a gap is maintained between the first slab and the second slab to define a heat collecting channel, through which a heat transfer medium flows between the heat absorbing plate and the heat insulating plate. A heat conductivity of the heat absorbing plate is at least 30 times greater than a heat conductivity of the heat insulating plate.