A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

A solar panel is electrically coupled to a battery and configured to convert solar energy to electricity to charge the battery. A heating element is electrically coupled to the battery. A thermal sensor is configured to detect an ambient temperature. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a temperature stream indicative of the detected ambient temperature. A humidity sensor is configured to detect an ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is configured to produce a humidity stream indicative of the detected ambient humidity. A controller is electrically couple to the thermal sensor the humidity sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to receive a profile that includes an initial designated duration and an initial temperature needed for a designated machine, and produce a current for the heating element to heat the designated machine for the designated duration and temperature.

A solar panel is electrically coupled to a battery and configured to convert solar energy to electricity to charge the battery. A heating element is electrically coupled to the battery. A thermal sensor is configured to detect an ambient temperature. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a temperature stream indicative of the detected ambient temperature. A humidity sensor is configured to detect an ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is configured to produce a humidity stream indicative of the detected ambient humidity. A controller is electrically couple to the thermal sensor the humidity sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to receive a profile that includes an initial designated duration and an initial temperature needed for a designated machine, and produce a current for the heating element to heat the designated machine for the designated duration and temperature.

A hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation system with a pumped thermal storage system with a mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus realizes utility scale stabilized power generation with low cost thermal storage, ultra-high conversion efficiency with hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration system, and low capital cost with the mode switchable heat pump/heat engine apparatus. The present system heat, cool, and supply power to buildings simultaneously over the four seasons. The synergistically combination of the hybrid solar thermal and photovoltaic cogeneration and the pumped thermal storage of the present invention is to make a transformative change of power supply landscape.

Systems and methods are provided for protecting solar panels from damage due to overheating. A system comprises a solar panel and a control system. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells, and a plurality of thermochromic temperature sensors thermally coupled to different areas of the solar panel. The thermochromic temperature sensors are configured to change color in response to heat generated by the solar cells in the different areas of the solar panel. The control system is configured to detect colors of the thermochromic temperature sensors, determine a temperature of each area of the solar panel based on the detected colors of the thermochromic temperature sensors, and cause the solar panel to shut down in response to determining that the temperature of at least one area of the solar panel exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold.

Systems and methods are provided for protecting solar panels from damage due to overheating. A system comprises a solar panel and a control system. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar cells, and a plurality of thermochromic temperature sensors thermally coupled to different areas of the solar panel. The thermochromic temperature sensors are configured to change color in response to heat generated by the solar cells in the different areas of the solar panel. The control system is configured to detect colors of the thermochromic temperature sensors, determine a temperature of each area of the solar panel based on the detected colors of the thermochromic temperature sensors, and cause the solar panel to shut down in response to determining that the temperature of at least one area of the solar panel exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold.

Systems and methods are disclosed for intelligent circuit control for solar panel systems. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, that a first electrical output of a first solar panel configured to charge a plurality of rechargeable batteries is greater than a second electrical output of a second solar panel configured to charge the plurality of rechargeable batteries, and causing the second solar panel to be disconnected from the plurality of rechargeable batteries. Example methods may include determining that a voltage potential of the plurality of rechargeable batteries is greater than a total output voltage, where the total output voltage is a sum of the first electrical output and the second electrical output, and causing a connection between the plurality of rechargeable batteries to be changed from a series connection to a parallel connection based at least in part on the first electrical output.

Systems and methods are disclosed for intelligent circuit control for solar panel systems. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, by a controller, that a first electrical output of a first solar panel configured to charge a plurality of rechargeable batteries is greater than a second electrical output of a second solar panel configured to charge the plurality of rechargeable batteries, and causing the second solar panel to be disconnected from the plurality of rechargeable batteries. Example methods may include determining that a voltage potential of the plurality of rechargeable batteries is greater than a total output voltage, where the total output voltage is a sum of the first electrical output and the second electrical output, and causing a connection between the plurality of rechargeable batteries to be changed from a series connection to a parallel connection based at least in part on the first electrical output.

A solar panel is electrically coupled to a battery and configured to convert solar energy to electricity to charge the battery. A heating element is electrically coupled to the battery. A thermal sensor is configured to detect an ambient temperature. The thermal sensor is configured to produce a temperature stream indicative of the detected ambient temperature. A humidity sensor is configured to detect an ambient humidity. The humidity sensor is configured to produce a humidity stream indicative of the detected ambient humidity. A controller is electrically couple to the thermal sensor the humidity sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to receive a profile that includes an initial designated duration and an initial temperature needed for a designated machine, and produce a current for the heating element to heat the designated machine for the designated duration and temperature.