A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.

A protective transparent enclosure, such as a greenhouse, encloses a concentrated solar power system having line-focus solar energy concentrators. The line-focus solar energy concentrators have a reflective front layer, a core layer, and a rear layer. The core and the rear layers, when bonded with the reflective front layer, enable the line-focus solar energy concentrator, in some embodiments, to retain a particular form without additional strengthening elements. In some embodiments, the core layer and/or the rear layer are formed by removing material from a single piece of material.

A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.

A novel PV module carrier and methods of use provide protection for PV modules during transportation, field handling, and assembly with racking systems. The carrier contains elements of a racking system to allow for quicker installation in the field. The PV module carrier reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for frame elements, while reducing field installation time and labor cost for system installation.

A solar charging umbrella uses solar power to charge electronic devices wirelessly, such as by a wireless or inductive charging port. The umbrella is self-sustained, capable of charging electronic devices in locations away from electrical outlets. The umbrella has a rechargeable battery that is recharged by sunlight. When charged, the umbrella's battery can charge devices when sunlight is not available. The umbrella supports simultaneous charging of higher power devices such as tablet computers.

An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.

A heat receiver tube having first, second, and further partial heat receiver tube surfaces for absorbing and transferring solar energy to heat transfer fluid is presented. The first and further partial heat receiver tube surfaces are formed by solar absorptive coatings deposited on partial surfaces of core tube. The second partial heat receiver tube surface is formed by emission radiation inhibiting coating deposited on second core tube surface for inhibiting emissivity for infrared radiation. The further partial heat receiver tube surface is arranged in radiation window of second partial heat receiver tube surface such that direct sunlight impinges further partial heat receiver tube surface. The heat receiver tube is arranged in focal line of parabolic mirror of parabolic trough collector. The first partial heat receiver tube surface and sunlight reflecting surface is arranged face to face, second and further partial heat receiver tube surfaces are averted to reflecting surface.

A fintube includes a body having a first fin, a second fin and a tube section. A first overlap fold is provided between the first fin and the tube section. The first overlap fold includes an open groove. A second overlap fold is provided between the second fin and the tube section. A seam includes a second overlap fold received and held in the groove of the first overlap fold. Methods for making a fintube are also disclosed.

[Problem] To provide a solar power system and a solar panel installation method with which, by using a positioning configuration which is not prone to visible vertical misalignment while preserving sunlight lighting efficiency in the positioning of a plurality of solar panels, solar panel installation is easy, and which is suitable to installing a large solar power system on a hill, in wetlands, etc. [Solution] A solar power system comprises a solar panel group (2) in which a plurality of vertically oriented rectangular solar panels (21) are inclined in the same direction, either left or right, at a prescribed angle of inclination (theta), and the lighting faces (22) of each of the solar panels (21) are arrayed in the same plane.

In one embodiment a solar collector is provided. The collector has a modular heat transfer component, which includes a heat transfer core to heat up a heat transfer fluid in the form of an aerogel. The heat transfer core positioned comprises a light absorption element, and a fluid transfer element in the form of an aerogel. The aero gel comprises voids shaped and dimensioned to support passive pumping of the heat transfer fluid therethrough.