Solar energy apparatus

Abstract

Described herein are solar energy apparatus that overcome many of the disadvantages and shortcomings of conventional solar energy absorption structures. The solar energy apparatus may comprise inexpensive material and have smaller dimensions to reduce the overall cost of the apparatus. The apparatus may also have coatings which help to maximize the amount of solar energy absorbed and minimize the deterioration of the apparatus due to overheating. The apparatus may include a system for monitoring and controlling the temperature of the apparatus to prevent overheating.

1 . A solar energy absorber, comprising:
 a front panel having a length, a width, a thickness, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge;   a rear panel having a length, a width, a thickness, a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, wherein the rear panel is spaced apart a predetermined distance from and aligned parallel with the front panel;   a first edge member coupling the front panel first side edge to the rear panel first side edge and extending the length of the front panel and rear panel;   a second edge member coupling the front panel second side edge to the rear panel second side edge and extending the length of the front panel and rear panel; and   at least one internal member located between the front panel and the rear panel, wherein there is at least one internal member has a height equal to the predetermined distance between the front panel and rear panel, is aligned perpendicular to the front panel and rear panel and parallel with the first edge member and second edge member and extends the length of front panel and rear panel to thereby form at least two fluid chambers within the solar energy absorber.   
   
   
       2 . A cylindrical solar energy absorber, comprising:
 a cylindrical inner conduit defining a fluid passageway having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;   a cylindrical outer conduit coaxial with the inner conduit having an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and   a spacer for maintaining a space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit, wherein   the material of the inner conduit and outer conduit comprises transparent material and the space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit comprises a vacuum.   
   
   
       3 . A header for providing fluid communication between a series of solar energy absorbers, comprising:
 a fluid reservoir portion having an elongated tubular shape, an inside diameter and an outside diameter; and   an absorber attachment portion having an elongated, geometrical shape;   wherein the absorber attachment portion is aligned parallel to the fluid reservoir and is attached to the fluid reservoir;   wherein a side of the absorber attachment portion extending away from the fluid reservoir includes an elongated slot extending partially into the absorber attachment portion for receiving the end of at least one absorber; and   wherein a fluid inlet slot extends from the inside diameter of the fluid reservoir portion to the elongated slot extending partially into the absorber attachment portion.   
   
   
       4 . A solar energy panel, comprising:
 an absorber housing having a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end, wherein the housing comprises:
 a top panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a bottom panel opposite the top panel, the bottom panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; 
 a left side panel; 
 a right side panel opposite the left side panel; 
 left side corner brackets, wherein the left side corner brackets couple the top panel to the left side panel and the bottom panel to the left side panel at a right angle such that the first surface of the top panel faces the second surface of the bottom surface; 
 right side corner brackets, wherein the right side corner brackets couple the top panel to the right side panel and the bottom panel to the right side panel at a right angle such that the first surface of the top panel faces the second surface of the bottom surface; and 
 at least one track formed on each of the first surface of the top panel and the second surface of the bottom panel, wherein the tracks are aligned parallel with the left and right panels and extend the length of the top and bottom panels; and 
   an absorber assembly, wherein the absorber assembly comprises:
 an absorber having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end and a second end opposing the first end; 
 a first header coupled to the first end of the absorber; 
 a second header coupled to the second end; and 
 at least one absorber flex beam coupled to each of the first surface and second surface of the absorber and extending away from the absorber and perpendicular to the absorber, wherein when the absorber is housed in the housing, the absorber flex beams are aligned with the tracks and are matingly received by the tracks to thereby position the absorber in the housing. 
   
   
   
       5 . A combined absorber and absorber housing assembly, comprising:
 a base having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, an upper side surface, a lower side surface opposite the upper side surface; a left side surface and a right side surface opposite the left side surface;   an upper wall coextensive with the upper side surface of the base and extending above the top surface of the base;   a lower wall coextensive with the lower side surface of the base and extending above the top surface of the base;   a left fluid chamber wall located on the top surface of the base, wherein the left fluid chamber wall is aligned with and extends the length of the left side surface and has a height smaller than the height the upper wall and lower wall extend above the top surface of the base;   a right fluid chamber wall located on the top surface of the base, wherein the right fluid chamber wall is aligned with and extends the length of the right side surface and has a height smaller than the height the upper wall and lower wall extend above the top surface of the base;   a left wall approximately equal in length and width to the left fluid chamber wall and located on top of the left fluid chamber wall, wherein the height of the left wall and left fluid chamber wall combined is approximately equal to the height the upper wall and lower wall each extend above the top surface of the base;   a right wall approximately equal in length and width to the right fluid chamber wall and located on top of the right fluid chamber wall, wherein the height of the right wall and the right fluid chamber wall is approximately equal to the height the upper wall and lower wall each extend above the top surface of the base;   at least one fluid chamber rib located on the top surface of the base between the right fluid chamber wall and the left fluid chamber wall and aligned in parallel with the left fluid chamber wall and the right fluid chamber wall, wherein the height of the at least one fluid chamber rib is approximately equal to the height of the right fluid chamber wall and the left fluid chamber wall;   an inner optical layer formed on the at least one fluid chamber rib, the right fluid chamber wall and the left fluid chamber wall and extending to the upper wall and the lower wall to thereby encapsulate the area under the inner optical layer and form fluid chambers;   at least one insulation chamber rib formed on the inner optical layer, wherein the combined height of the at least one fluid chamber rib, the inner optical layer and at the least one insulation chamber rib is approximately equal to the height the upper wall and lower wall each extend above the top surface of the base; and   an outer optical layer formed on the at least one insulation chamber rib, the upper wall, the lower wall, the left wall and the right wall to thereby encapsulate the area under the outer optical layer and form insulation chambers.