A solar collector is provided. The collector comprises a monolithic flow control component to direct a flow of the heat transfer fluid between an inlet and outlet; and a solar absorber supported by the monolithic flow control component. The monolithic flow control component is able to support the solar absorber without any additional structural components to lend mechanical strength to the monolithic flow control component.

A solar collector is provided. The collector comprises a monolithic flow control component to direct a flow of the heat transfer fluid between an inlet and outlet; and a solar absorber supported by the monolithic flow control component. The monolithic flow control component is able to support the solar absorber without any additional structural components to lend mechanical strength to the monolithic flow control component.

The invention relates to a new way of stabilizing and mounting solar panels in the form of conventional heat exchangers comprising a trough and a glass cover or of a photovoltaic panel on house walls with the aid of frames made of natural or artificial stones which are made break-resistant using fiber materials and are stabilized in such a way that the panels are also break-resistant on impact and can be mounted as self-supporting structures on a wall; furthermore, the panels in particular satisfy high standards in respect of esthetics and are low-maintenance and thus permanently appealing. Multiple solar panels comprising stone frames can form entire stone-solar panel facades.

The invention relates to a new way of stabilizing and mounting solar panels in the form of conventional heat exchangers comprising a trough and a glass cover or of a photovoltaic panel on house walls with the aid of frames made of natural or artificial stones which are made break-resistant using fiber materials and are stabilized in such a way that the panels are also break-resistant on impact and can be mounted as self-supporting structures on a wall; furthermore, the panels in particular satisfy high standards in respect of esthetics and are low-maintenance and thus permanently appealing. Multiple solar panels comprising stone frames can form entire stone-solar panel facades.

A housing for a solar panel is provided and is comprised of a glazed element and a tray. The tray includes a plate, a pair of side walls, a top end cap and a bottom end cap. The tray also includes a lip configured to seat the glazed element. Wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap, the bottom end cap are formed of a single material and configured as a single integral component and wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity. Wherein said top end cap includes a top header, said top header extending the length of said top end cap and said top header extending outward from said top end cap and in a direction away from said cavity.

A housing for a solar panel is provided and is comprised of a glazed element and a tray. The tray includes a plate, a pair of side walls, a top end cap and a bottom end cap. The tray also includes a lip configured to seat the glazed element. Wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap, the bottom end cap are formed of a single material and configured as a single integral component and wherein the plate, the pair of side walls, the top end cap and the bottom end cap are collectively configured to form a cavity. Wherein said top end cap includes a top header, said top header extending the length of said top end cap and said top header extending outward from said top end cap and in a direction away from said cavity.

A method including installing solar pods at varying heights on a tower, where a size of each of the solar pods is inversely related its installation height on the tower, each of the solar pods including a transparent ovoid enclosure symmetrical about an axis, and a reflector and a solar cell both contained within the transparent ovoid enclosure, the solar cell positioned at a common focal point of the reflector such that substantially all light reflected by the reflector is directed at the solar cell.

A method including installing solar pods at varying heights on a tower, where a size of each of the solar pods is inversely related its installation height on the tower, each of the solar pods including a transparent ovoid enclosure symmetrical about an axis, and a reflector and a solar cell both contained within the transparent ovoid enclosure, the solar cell positioned at a common focal point of the reflector such that substantially all light reflected by the reflector is directed at the solar cell.

A solar collector is provided. The collector comprises a monolithic flow control component to direct a flow of the heat transfer fluid between an inlet and outlet; and a solar absorber supported by the monolithic flow control component. The monolithic flow control component is able to support the solar absorber without any additional structural components to lend mechanical strength to the monolithic flow control component.

The invention relates to a new way of stabilizing and mounting solar panels in the form of conventional heat exchangers comprising a trough and a glass cover or of a photovoltaic panel on house walls with the aid of frames made of natural or artificial stones which are made break-resistant using fiber materials and are stabilized in such a way that the panels are also break-resistant on impact and can be mounted as self-supporting structures on a wall; furthermore, the panels in particular satisfy high standards in respect of esthetics and are low-maintenance and thus permanently appealing. Multiple solar panels comprising stone frames can form entire stone-solar panel facades.