Building-integrated solar energy system

A method for transporting heat energy by liquid-vapor phase change of a working fluid, comprising:

• providing a closed-loop conduit network connecting a heat source and a heat destination;
• evacuating the closed-loop conduit network to create a vacuum environment therein at a predetermined pressure;
• and
• filling the vacuum environment with the working fluid such that the working fluid is in full contact with an inner surface of the closed-loop conduit network;
• whereby the working fluid absorbs heat energy at the heat source, evaporates, flows toward and through the heat destination, at which the working fluid releases heat energy, and condenses to complete the cycle, wherein the full contact with the inner surface of the closed-loop conduit network and phase change of the working fluid minimizes heat energy losses to an outside environment and eliminates any substantial temperature differentials within the closed-loop conduit network.

A method for converting solar energy into power for one or more devices comprising:

• receiving, by a solar thermal collector, solar radiation;
• converting, by the solar thermal collector, the solar radiation into heat energy within a closed-loop system comprising a vacuum environment and a working fluid;
• transferring, by the solar thermal collector, the heat energy to the working fluid causing evaporation of the working fluid to a vapor;
• transporting, by a conduit, the vapor comprising the heat energy through the closed-loop system to a heat usage device;
• and
• transferring the heat energy to the heat usage device causing condensation of the vapor to the working fluid, wherein the closed-loop conduit network has substantially consistent temperature throughout and minimizes heat energy loss to an outside environment.