A solar collector assembly (10) comprising a pipe (18) exposed to solar energy adapted to accommodate a fluid flow in such a way that the solar energy is transferred to the fluid, a heat pipe or any other energy guiding system or absorber; a reflector assembly (12) with a curved reflector (14) for focusing solar radiation in the range of the pipe (18), and an actuator (90,64, 80) for moving the reflector assembly (12) in a way that the solar radiation is reflected in the direction of the pipe (12), is characterized in that means (30, 32) are provided for releasably fixing the reflector assembly (12) to the pipe (18), and the actuator (90, 64, 80) is fixed at the reflector assembly (12) or in the reflector assembly (12).

A solar collector assembly (10) comprising a pipe (18) exposed to solar energy adapted to accommodate a fluid flow in such a way that the solar energy is transferred to the fluid, a heat pipe or any other energy guiding system or absorber; a reflector assembly (12) with a curved reflector (14) for focusing solar radiation in the range of the pipe (18), and an actuator (90,64, 80) for moving the reflector assembly (12) in a way that the solar radiation is reflected in the direction of the pipe (12), is characterized in that means (30, 32) are provided for releasably fixing the reflector assembly (12) to the pipe (18), and the actuator (90, 64, 80) is fixed at the reflector assembly (12) or in the reflector assembly (12).

A solar collector includes a box shaped collection space bounded by a rectangular bottom (10), a frame (12), and an outer rectangular glass pane (14). The box shaped collection space includes therein an inner rectangular glass pane (16) that is disposed in a first direction from the bottom and is separated from the outer rectangular glass pane by spacers (18). An absorber sheet (20) and at least one fluid conducting riser (22) are positioned intermediate of the bottom and the inner rectangular glass pane. At least two ventilation caps (30) extend in overlying relation of respective corners of the solar collector. Inner sides (32I) of the ventilation caps include a pattern (34P, 34Z) of air ventilation passages that provide at least one ventilation channel that extends from outside the collector space to between the inner and outer rectangular glass panes.

A method for precise control of movement of a motive phase on a lubricant-impregnated surface includes providing a lubricant-impregnated surface, introducing the motive phase onto the lubricant-impregnated surface, and exposing the droplets to an electric and/or magnetic field to induce controlled movement of the droplets on the surface. The lubricant-impregnated surface includes a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating lubricant therebetween or therewithin. The motive phase is immiscible or scarcely miscible with the impregnating lubricant.

A solar system is provided comprising a light receiving surface, a condensation subassembly, a water collection subassembly, and a cleaning subassembly. The expansion chamber of the condensation subassembly is thermally coupled to the light receiving surface and thermally insulated from the ambient such that expansion of compressed air in the expansion chamber, as controlled by the compressed air expansion valve, encourages humidity condensation on the light receiving surface by reducing the temperature of the light receiving surface. The water collection subassembly comprises a water collection vessel and water direction hardware positioned to direct condensed water on the light receiving surface to the water collection vessel. The cleaning subassembly comprises a water dispensing unit positioned to dispense water from the water collection vessel over the light receiving surface of the solar system.