The invention relates to a receiver (50) having an absorber (55) and an opening (53) for the solar rays incident on the absorber (55) during operation, wherein a window (52, 60, 61, 62) is provided, which covers the opening (53), and wherein a changing assembly (51) is provided, which interacts with said window to change the window (52) covering the opening (53) for another window (60, 61 62).

The invention relates to a receiver (50) having an absorber (55) and an opening (53) for the solar rays incident on the absorber (55) during operation, wherein a window (52, 60, 61, 62) is provided, which covers the opening (53), and wherein a changing assembly (51) is provided, which interacts with said window to change the window (52) covering the opening (53) for another window (60, 61 62).

A radiative cooling device, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a reflective layer disposed on a substrate and responsible for reflecting sunlight having wavelengths corresponding to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared regions; and a radiative cooling layer disposed on the reflective layer and responsible for absorbing sunlight having a wavelength corresponding to a mid-infrared region and emitting the sunlight as heat, wherein the radiative cooling layer includes a first radiation layer including an uneven pattern; and a second radiation layer disposed on the first radiation layer and having a refractive index different from that of the first radiation layer.

A radiative cooling device, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a reflective layer disposed on a substrate and responsible for reflecting sunlight having wavelengths corresponding to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared regions; and a radiative cooling layer disposed on the reflective layer and responsible for absorbing sunlight having a wavelength corresponding to a mid-infrared region and emitting the sunlight as heat, wherein the radiative cooling layer includes a first radiation layer including an uneven pattern; and a second radiation layer disposed on the first radiation layer and having a refractive index different from that of the first radiation layer.

A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and hold one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated during a decontamination process. The system also includes a solar collection device configured to heat the containment vessel based on received solar energy. The solar collection device includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a solar aperture configured to receive the solar energy. The second portion is configured to receive the containment vessel within the body of the solar collection device. The solar collection device also includes louvered slats across the solar aperture. The louvered slats are configured to be rotated in order to control an amount of solar energy passing through the solar aperture into the body of the solar collection device.

Method of forecasting heat output of a solar collector. First, heat output for a plurality of solar collectors is simulated, located at respectively different geographic locations but having the same solar collector settings as the solar collector to be forecasted. The simulation is performed by calculating a dataset of theoretical heat outputs for the plurality of solar collectors, based on acquired 802 related weather data. From the calculated dataset a function is adjusted 810, the function defining the theoretical heat output of any solar collector related to its geographic location, e.g. latitude, solar Direct Normal Irradiation, DNI, and collector settings, e.g. operation temperature, and forecasting the heat output of the solar collector based on the adjusted function.

Method of forecasting heat output of a solar collector. First, heat output for a plurality of solar collectors is simulated, located at respectively different geographic locations but having the same solar collector settings as the solar collector to be forecasted. The simulation is performed by calculating a dataset of theoretical heat outputs for the plurality of solar collectors, based on acquired 802 related weather data. From the calculated dataset a function is adjusted 810, the function defining the theoretical heat output of any solar collector related to its geographic location, e.g. latitude, solar Direct Normal Irradiation, DNI, and collector settings, e.g. operation temperature, and forecasting the heat output of the solar collector based on the adjusted function.

A dynamic controllable system 10 for moderating energy absorption at the earth's surface includes a series of panel units 110, 610 mounted above the earth's surface over land and water masses. Each panel unit 110, 610 supports rotatable shafts 112, 612, with panels 100, 600 joined to or integrally formed with the shafts 112, 612. Each panel (forcing) 100, 600 has a radiation reflective surface 102, 602 and a radiation emissive surface 104, 604 opposite the radiation reflective surface 102, 602. The panels 100, 602 are selectively rotated into a predetermined one of a plurality of cardinal positions: reflective, emissive and neutral, or into an intermediate position between two of the cardinal positions. The programmable controller 130 receives various data including top of atmosphere satellite data, air temperature and relative humidity at panel units, weather data, time of day, position of panel units, radiation insolation, and combinations thereof. Responsive to real-time data, both local and regional, the programmable controller directs rotational orientation of panels within the panel units, causing a desired reflection of shortwave and longwave radiation away from the earth's surface.

A solar energy particle receiver system and method of use for precise and controlled heating, sintering, and/or phase change of particles. In one embodiment, the solar energy particle receiver system directs sunlight from a primary concentrator into supplemental concentrating reflective optic where the emitted sunlight is used to heat and sinter, melt, or induce a phase change of the particles such as regolith at a controlled temperature, the supplemental concentrating reflective optics cooled to prevent overheating and a sweeping gas directed at the reflective surface to prevent optical fouling. In one aspect, the supplemental concentrating reflective optic is a compound reflective concentrator. In one application, the particles are a regolith, such as a lunar regolith.

A solar energy particle receiver system and method of use for precise and controlled heating, sintering, and/or phase change of particles. In one embodiment, the solar energy particle receiver system directs sunlight from a primary concentrator into supplemental concentrating reflective optic where the emitted sunlight is used to heat and sinter, melt, or induce a phase change of the particles such as regolith at a controlled temperature, the supplemental concentrating reflective optics cooled to prevent overheating and a sweeping gas directed at the reflective surface to prevent optical fouling. In one aspect, the supplemental concentrating reflective optic is a compound reflective concentrator. In one application, the particles are a regolith, such as a lunar regolith.