A solar energy collector includes: a solar energy collection tube having an absorption medium flow path for allowing an absorption medium to flow therethrough; a lens configured to concentrate solar energy on the solar energy collection tube; and an actuator configured to move the solar energy collection tube or the lens based on an incidence angle of the solar energy so that the solar energy is focused on the solar energy collection tube.

A solar collector system comprising at least one heliostat and an inflatable cover configured to protectively conceal the at least one heliostat while it tracks the sun. The inflatable cover comprises a flexible membrane, which is transparent and colorless so that sunlight is transmitted through the cover. The cover may comprise an elastomeric material such as ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). The solar collector system may further include a pump for inflating the inflatable cover, a pressure relief valve configured to prevent air pressure in the inflatable cover from exceeding a predetermined threshold, and a pressure sensor configured to automatically turn on the pump when the internal pressure falls below a predetermined threshold. The inflatable cover effectively removes wind loading from the heliostats, thus enabling the heliostats to use low-power, less-expensive actuators.

A solar energy collector includes: a solar energy collection tube having an absorption medium flow path for allowing an absorption medium to flow therethrough; a lens configured to concentrate solar energy on the solar energy collection tube; and an actuator configured to move the solar energy collection tube or the lens based on an incidence angle of the solar energy so that the solar energy is focused on the solar energy collection tube.

A solar powered boiler assembly for producing steam with solar energy includes a bowl that is positioned in the ground. A boiler is positioned in the bowl and the boiler has a fluid therein. A dome is removably positioned on the bowl. A plurality of lenses each extends through the dome such that each of the lenses is exposed to sunlight. Each of the lenses focuses the sunlight onto the boiler to heat the boiler. In this way the boiler produces steam by heating the fluid therein. A reflector is coupled to the dome and the reflector is comprised of a light reflecting material for reflecting sunlight onto the lenses.

A solar powered boiler assembly for producing steam with solar energy includes a bowl that is positioned in the ground. A boiler is positioned in the bowl and the boiler has a fluid therein. A dome is removably positioned on the bowl. A plurality of lenses each extends through the dome such that each of the lenses is exposed to sunlight. Each of the lenses focuses the sunlight onto the boiler to heat the boiler. In this way the boiler produces steam by heating the fluid therein. A reflector is coupled to the dome and the reflector is comprised of a light reflecting material for reflecting sunlight onto the lenses.

A collector element for collecting solar energy. The collector element is made of metal and comprises at least one elongated central ridge comprising at least one internal flow channel for a heat transfer medium, first and second elongated side ridges at opposite sides of the at least one central ridge and an elongated depression between each two adjacent ridges. At least one side ridge comprises at least one fastening element by means of which at least one substantially solar radiation permeable covering element is to be fastened to the collector element for covering at least the at least one elongated central ridge of the collector element.

A method and apparatus for producing electricity from a combination of three sources: ocean waves, wind and solar, includes converting an upward and downward motion of a buoyant platform into a rotational motion of a shaft using a plurality of blades mounted to the shaft, the blades causing the shaft to rotate from internal wind energy as the blades move up and down within a cavity. The shaft is coupled to a generator for producing electricity. A wind turbine is mounted to the buoyant platform for converting wind energy into electricity. Further, solar panels are included, for example, mounted to the buoyant platform and/or turbine blades of the wind turbine, the solar panels also generate electricity when exposed to light.

A solar generator includes a base, a turntable provided to the base, a solar array disposed atop the turntable and a cover or dome that is disposed atop the base to define an enclosure surrounding the solar array and turntable. The solar array can include separate solar cell segments arranged side-by-side in a row. Multiple rows can be provided. The rows are spaced-apart such that each row can be oriented towards the sun with less potential for shading the other solar panel arrays in adjacent rows. A motor control unit operates motors to adjust the azimuth and elevation angle of the solar elements in the array so that the sun's position in the sky can be tracked.

An inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator water desalination system comprises an inflatable non-imaging stationary solar concentrator and shallow black basin type evaporator. The evaporator is made into a semi-close structure house like a stadium to surround the concentrator. An absorber made of black coating or porous absorption materials is placed on the basin of the concentrator. The evaporator consists of an inner holder, a outer holder, a freshwater collector, and a condenser to form a space for water to evaporate, and to be condensed and collected. The inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator is assembled with the evaporator in such a way that the output aperture of the solar concentrator is directly over the surface of the absorber

A heliostat contained within a mechanical enclosure is described that optimizes the heliostat for domestic applications by emphasizing features of durability, protection from outside weather, low cost of manufacture, self-powering, light-weight, and aesthetics.