Transparent insulation component for solar collection enhancement

Abstract

A volumetric absorption solar collector in combination with a conventional flat panel collector. Addition of the volumetric absorption solar collector to the conventional flat panel collector allows the overall solar collection system to reach higher collection temperatures, increase collection efficiency, and reduce ecological footprint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solar collector assembly, comprising:
 a solar collector base having an absorber surface; and   a volumetric absorption solar collector mounted on said absorber surface of said solar collector base, said volumetric absorption solar collector having a predetermined depth,   whereby radiation received by said volumetric absorption solar collector would be collected and transferred to said absorber surface of said solar collector base, thus increasing temperature values obtained.   
     
     
         2 . A solar collector assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said solar collector base being a flat panel collector.   
     
     
         3 . A solar collector assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said volumetric absorption solar collector formed from optical glass materials.   
     
     
         4 . A solar collector assembly as in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 said optical glass materials being borosilicate glass.   
     
     
         5 . A solar collector assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said volumetric absorption solar collector being a layer of glass.   
     
     
         6 . A method of absorbing radiation and increasing temperature values, comprising the steps of:
 providing a solar collector base that has an absorber surface; and   mounting a volumetric absorption solar collector on said absorber surface of said solar collector base, said volumetric absorption solar collector having a predetermined depth,   whereby radiation received by said volumetric absorption solar collector would be collected and transferred to said absorber surface of said solar collector base, thus increasing temperature values obtained.   
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 said solar collector base being a flat panel collector.   
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 said volumetric absorption solar collector formed from optical glass materials.   
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 said optical glass materials being borosilicate glass.   
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 said volumetric absorption solar collector being a layer of glass.