A solar energy collector includes an energy dissipating receiver configured to absorb solar energy, an absorption tube that encourages a transfer of heat from the energy dissipating receiver, a base including a groove that receives at least a portion of the absorption tube and supports the absorption tube, and a header that is positioned at least partially within an end of the absorption tube. The absorption tube includes a curved portion and a flat portion. The flat portion faces the energy dissipating receiver.

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.

A solar collector has an opaque cover heated by solar energy. Heat flows from the opaque cover by conduction, convection, and infrared emittance across a gap within an at least substantially airtight enclosure to an absorber containing a working fluid. The exterior surface of the opaque cover has high solar energy absorptance and the interior surface has high infrared emittance. The exterior surface preferably has low infrared emittance. In one embodiment, fully wetted surface geometry permits direct and reflected infrared absorption by the absorber. The opaque cover eliminates the weight, cost and other shortcomings of glass. A hollow continuous side wall with rounded corners provides an embodiment that is robust yet economical, that is easy to manufacture and seal, that permits a reduced thickness of the opaque cover and mitigates the destructive potential of severe winds, and that can withstand the compressive forces experienced by an evacuated solar collector.

Embodiments relate to an enhanced method for installing solar roofs by primarily reducing the installation time. The design is for a roofing shingle with an embedded solar module that installs intuitively like normal roofing shingles without special tools, fasteners or alignment. The shingle structure is molded out of low thermal expansion plastic composite and is compatible with commercial photovoltaic modules as well as solar infrared radiation absorbing devices.

An apparatus, system, and method of collecting solar energy having a variable position for optimizing sunlight collection and for use in a heating and/or cooling system. The system includes a solar collector apparatus, a collector support frame assembly, a sun position tracking apparatus, a fluid transfer pump, a fluid storage tank, an insulated pipe for connecting the fluid pump to the storage tank and the solar collector, a differential temperature controller, and a safety override relay controller. The system includes a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing having an aluminum welded tube as reinforcement and method of making PEX tubing having an inner PEX layer and an outer polyethylene layer with an intermediate aluminum tube enveloped by adhesive layers for joining the inner and outer polyethylene layers with the aluminum tube. Carbon black particles are included in the outer layer of polyethylene material.

A solar water-heating panel is provided, comprising a plurality of risers configured for utilizing solar radiation impinging thereon to heat a fluid therein. Each riser comprises a riser wall defining a fluid path for flow therethrough of the fluid. The panel further comprises one or more headers for facilitating delivery of the fluid between the panel and an external source of the fluid. The risers are parallely-arranged and separate from one another, and each comprises a longitudinal fin projecting sidewardly therefrom toward, and contacting, an adjacent riser.

A solar receiver configuration (receiver) adapted to include a plurality of receiver heat transfer passes. Each pass includes a plurality of panels. Further, each panel includes a plurality of tubes, tangentially arranged, vertically extending between horizontally placed lower and upper headers. The headers, which are pipe assemblies with closed ends, of adjacent panels are horizontally and vertically offset one to another to form a substantially continuous tube surface. Such continuous tube surface enables solar heating of the fluid flow therefrom in at least a parallel flow arrangement and a serpentine flow arrangement.

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) apparatus 10 combines a photovoltaic panel (PV) panel 24 and solar air heater (SAH). The SAH includes body 12 with hollow interior 14 defining ducts 16a, 18a for air inlet 16 and air return 18. Jets 22 provide air to convey heat from the PV panel underside. Spaces between the jets provide drains 26 for warmed air to flow away. Flow modifiers/deflectors 124 can guide the airflow. A fan 42 pushes ambient air into the inlet 16 via air handling unit (AHU) 50. Return warm air flows via the AHU to escape via the ambient exhaust 40. A combined thermal transfer and storage unit 52 determines whether air from the PVT panel(s) diverts to the interior space. For cooler ambient conditions, the PVT apparatus can radiate heat to return cooled air into the space. The PVT apparatus can harvest condensation, heat/cool pools and industrial processes.

A solar panel bracket with a water conducting function for carrying a plurality of solar photovoltaic panels, comprising: a plurality of first brackets, each of the first brackets is arranged in parallel with each other, each of the first brackets has a first water conducting groove; a plurality of second brackets, each of the second brackets is arranged in parallel with each other, each of the second brackets has a second water conducting groove, the second brackets and the first brackets are arranged perpendicular to each other, and the second brackets and the first brackets surround to form a plurality of square spaces, the solar photovoltaic panels are arranged on the square spaces; and a plurality of third water conducting groove groups, each of the third water conducting groove groups is disposed on the side of each of the first brackets, and each of the third water conducting groove group has a third water conducting groove, and the second water conducting grooves communicate with the third water conducting grooves.

A thermal cell panel system for heating and cooling using a refrigerant includes a plurality of solar thermal cell chambers, and a piping network for a flow of the refrigerant through the plurality of solar thermal cell chambers. In addition, the system includes a compressor having a motor coupled to a variable frequency drive (“VFD”), where the compressor is coupled to the piping network upstream of the plurality of solar thermal cell chambers and the VFD is configured to adjust a speed of the motor in response to the pressure of the refrigerant within the plurality of solar thermal cell chambers. The piping network includes an inlet manifold coupled to the inlet of each solar thermal cell chamber, and an outlet manifold coupled to the outlet of each solar cell chamber.