A device is disclosed for the storage and transfer of solar thermal energy which includes a casing having a irradiation opening for the entry of incident solar radiation in a irradiation region of the casing. a bed of fluidizable solid particles received within the casing, and a plurality of reflecting and radiating surfaces arranged within the irradiation region and configured to convey the solar radiation entering through the irradiation opening, after multiple reflections, on the bed of particles.

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.

The invention relates to a passive tracking device for tracking the position of the sun, which comprises a hollow parallelepiped casing through which the solar radiation entering through a first lens located at the upper end of the parallelepiped casing passes towards a discriminating reflector arranged at the lower end of the same casing; the tracking device redirects as much incoming radiation as possible towards side chambers for absorbing radiation, heating a working fluid contained in the side chamber; producing a volumetric expansion in the working fluid that, communicating with shafts for the rotation of the tracking device, allows the orientation with the normal/perpendicular position with respect to the position of the sun, and to guide the alignment direction of other tracking devices for collecting energy in devices for collecting photovoltaic and/or thermal energy that are mechanically connected to the tracking device.

A solar receiver includes a porous structure with a uniform or a varying porosity. The porous structure may include specular reflective region on at least one surface and a diffusive reflective region on at least one surface.

The invention relates to a passive tracking device for tracking the position of the sun, which comprises a hollow parallelepiped casing through which the solar radiation entering through a first lens located at the upper end of the parallelepiped casing passes towards a discriminating reflector arranged at the lower end of the same casing; the tracking device redirects as much incoming radiation as possible towards side chambers for absorbing radiation, heating a working fluid contained in the side chamber; producing a volumetric expansion in the working fluid that, communicating with shafts for the rotation of the tracking device, allows the orientation with the normal/perpendicular position with respect to the position of the sun, and to guide the alignment direction of other tracking devices for collecting energy in devices for collecting photovoltaic and/or thermal energy that are mechanically connected to the tracking device.

A thermal management system (TMS) for controlling the temperature of a selective reflective panel is disclosed. The TMS includes a solar concentrator array, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The solar concentrator array is located within the selective reflective panel and has a plurality of reflectors arranged in reflector groups. The temperature sensor monitors a temperature of the selective reflective panel at a location of the temperature sensor. The controller monitors the local temperature of the selective reflective panel utilizing the temperature sensor and, in response, produces a control signal that is sent to the solar concentrator array. The control signal directs the solar concentrator array to position a selected number of reflectors on the concentrator array into an off-pointing position in response to monitoring the temperature sensor, where the selected number of reflectors is determined to control the local temperature of the selective reflective panel.

A light collector (1), a plurality of densely distributed light collecting protrusions (11) protruding upward from the light collector (1), and a light collecting curved surface (111) is provided on the light collecting protrusions (11) in a curved manner; a plurality of densely distributed Fresnel lenses (12) protruding downward from the light collector (1), and a light emitting curved surface (121) being provided underneath the Fresnel lenses (12) in a curved manner. The light collector (1) of the present invention has low production cost and an effect of increasing light usage rate.

A recoverable and renewable heat recovery system includes a variable speed inverter compressor in fluid connection with a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger via a fluid circuit. The system further includes a solar thermal collection module positioned on top of the compressor and in fluid communication with the compressor, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger via the fluid circuit. A light intensity sensor is configured to determine light intensity on the solar thermal collection module. The solar thermal collection module is configured to retain solar energy thermal energy to increase fluid pressure in the compressor.

A solar thermal collecting system captures solar radiation into a vessel containing an opaque or partially opaque fluid medium. The solar radiation is reflected and intensified using interior parabolic reflectors inside the vessel to generate hot zones throughout the fluid medium; and the generated heat in the fluid medium is transported to a separate system designed to utilize the heat with minimal heat loss. The system of the present invention comprises a vessel that contains the fluid medium. An at least partially transparent or translucent lid enables passage of solar radiation into the vessel. The lid may have integrated solar panels to generate power from solar radiation. Multiple reflective parabolic reflectors integrated in the vessel focus solar radiation throughout the fluid medium to create hot zones that intensifies heating the fluid medium. The vessel is resilient to withstand variances in pressure and temperature. After fluid medium absorbs heat, an insulated conduit transports the heated fluid medium for storage or other beneficial uses such as conversion to power with minimal heat loss.