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 energy capture, conversion and storage system for use on a roof of a building for capturing and converting incident solar radiation to heat and electricity. The invention provides an optimized solar energy capture and conversion system that monitors immediately available incident radiation comprising a mounting structure which supports a matrix in which is embedded a conduit containing a working fluid. The fluid or fluid mixture includes at least one hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE). Valves are arranged to open/close ports which connect the solar energy capture system to either a combined heat/electrical generating system or an energy storage system that incorporates a phase change material to store heat energy. Control of the valves is supervised by an energy management system.

A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.

A solar energy capture, conversion and storage system for use on a roof of a building for capturing and converting incident solar radiation to heat and electricity. The invention provides an optimised solar energy capture and conversion system that monitors immediately available incident radiation comprising a mounting structure which supports a matrix in which is embedded a conduit containing a working fluid. The fluid or fluid mixture includes at least one hydro-fluoro-ether (HFE). Valves are arranged to open/close ports which connect the solar energy capture system to either a combined heat/electrical generating system or an energy storage system that incorporates a phase change material to store heat energy. Control of the valves is supervised by an energy management system.

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 desalinator that converts contaminated water to potable water includes a cylindrical solar collector, a trough-shaped parabolic mirror, and a condenser. The solar collector is positioned within the trough-shaped parabolic mirror, and the parabolic mirror focuses the Sun's rays onto the solar collector, heats the water, and converts the water to steam. The steam is fed to the condenser where the steam is condensed to recover potable water. The solar collector includes an inner conduit surrounded by an outer shell with a vacuum in the anger space between. Energy absorbing material in the form of dark metal is positioned in the inner conduit. A residue bulb is attached at the contaminated water inlet to collect residue left by the creation of the steam.

A solar desalinator that converts contaminated water to potable water includes a cylindrical solar collector, a trough-shaped parabolic mirror, and a condenser. The solar collector is positioned within the trough-shaped parabolic mirror, and the parabolic mirror focuses the Sun's rays onto the solar collector, heats the water, and converts the water to steam. The steam is fed to the condenser where the steam is condensed to recover potable water. The solar collector includes an inner conduit surrounded by an outer shell with a vacuum in the anger space between. Energy absorbing material in the form of dark metal is positioned in the inner conduit. A residue bulb is attached at the contaminated water inlet to collect residue left by the creation of the steam.

A solar absorber body for a concentrating solar power system, said solar absorber body including: a tube, designed to contain a heat transfer medium and including a first part designed to be exposed to the sunlight and a second part designed to be unexposed to the sunlight, an assembly of fins made of thermally conductive material, and a selective coating arranged at least on the outer surface of the first part of the tube, said assembly of fins defining at least two longitudinal passages inside the tube, said passages being adjacent in a sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube, said assembly of fins being configured to create a continuous thermal bridge inside the tube from at least a portion of the inner surface of first part of the tube to at least a portion of the inner surface of the second part of the tube.

A heat receiver, a reactor, and a heater utilize the heat of concentrated solar light for thermal decomposition and/or chemical reaction of coals, etc. The heat receiver includes: a side portion forming a substantially cylindrical side surface; a substantially circular bottom portion connected to the lower edge of the side portion; and a ceiling connected to the upper edge of the side portion. A substantially circular aperture is formed in the center of the ceiling. The heat receiver has a substantially cylindrical cavity and the opening portion is open. When the cavity has a diameter of D and a length of L, and the aperture has a diameter of d, d=D/2 or less and L=2D or more. Concentrated solar light entering the heat receiver is to be contained in the heat receiver to effectively utilize the solar light.

A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.