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 light-concentrating lens assembly for a solar energy system, the assembly comprising a plurality of concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, a conical light guide extending below the plurality of paraboloid mirror reflectors, an inner central cone disposed along a central axis of the concentrically arranged paraboloid mirror reflectors, and a compound paraboloid concentrator disposed beneath the inner central cone.

A general method is provided for electronically reconfiguring the internal structure of a solid to allow precision control of the propagation of wave energy. The method allows digital or analog control of wave energy, such as but not limited to visible light, while maintaining low losses, a multi-octave bandwidth, polarization independence, large area and a large dynamic range in power handling. Embodiments of the technique are provided for large-angle beam steering, lenses and other devices to control wave energy.

An electromagnetic radiation collecting device is presented, which is particularly useful for the collection of solar radiation, providing optimal radiation collection throughout the daytime, and throughout yearly seasonal changes. The collector entails a redundant number of static collectors arranged in such a manner as to provide maximal and chronologically evened collection outline.

A device for storage and exchange of thermal energy of solar origin, which device is configured to receive a concentrated solar radiation using an optical system of beam down type, which device comprises: a containment casing which defines an internal compartment and has an upper opening configured to allow entry of the concentrated solar radiation, which opening puts in direct communication the internal compartment with the external environment having no closure or screen means; a bed of fluidizable solid particles, received within the internal compartment, which bed has an irradiated operative region directly exposed, in use, to the concentrated solar radiation that enters through said opening and a heat accumulation region adjacent to said operative region; fluidization elements of the bed of particles, configured to feed fluidization air within the compartment, which fluidization means is configured to determine different fluid-dynamic regimens in the operative region and in the accumulation region, based upon different fluidization speeds, wherein, in use, the particles of the operative region absorb thermal energy from the solar radiation and they give it to the particles of the accumulation region.

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.

Portable, solar energy systems formed from a plurality of solar energy components are disclosed. The solar energy components of the portable, solar energy systems may include photovoltaic (PV) components or heliostat components. The portable, solar energy systems may include a plurality of either PV assemblies or heliostat assemblies. Each of the assemblies may include a support structures and a plurality of PV components coupled thereon, or a plurality of heliostat components. The support structures of the assemblies may be coupled one another to allow the plurality of assemblies forming the portable, solar energy system to be unfolded from a storage container.

Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.

A general method is provided for electronically reconfiguring the internal structure of a solid to allow precision control of the propagation of wave energy. The method allows digital or analog control of wave energy, such as but not limited to visible light, while maintaining low losses, a multi-octave bandwidth, polarization independence, large area and a large dynamic range in power handling. Embodiments of the technique are provided for large-angle beam steering, lenses and other devices to control wave energy.

A solar energy collection and transmission device includes a light-transmitting body, a transmission layer and a plurality of reflectors connected to each other, wherein the transmission layer is provided with a light collection port. Each reflector includes an acquisition transmission plate having a reflective surface defined by an arc. The solar energy collection and transmission device also has a large light wavelength collection range which can be directly utilized or transformed after collection, having a high aggregation degree, small transmission loss, unrestricted shape and wide application range.