A solar energy system, comprising:
- a solar array comprising a plurality of solar panels, each solar panel comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells, and each solar panel being supported by a solar panel support tray, and wherein:
- each solar panel support tray is fabricated from a thermally conductive material, and is in contact with the solar panel supported by the tray, to allow heat to flow from the solar panel supported by the tray to the tray;
- and
- each solar panel support tray defines a hollow cooling fluid passageway to allow a cooling fluid to convect heat away from the tray;
- the system further comprising:
- a support structure for supporting the solar panel support trays;
- and
- a solar panel cooling system, the solar panel cooling system comprising:
- a static heat exchanger to transfer heat from the cooling fluid to air within the heat exchanger;
- a pump to circulate the cooling fluid from the cooling fluid passageways in the solar panel support trays to and through the heat exchanger;
- and
- an atmospheric moisture extraction system, comprising:
- a first water piston unit and a second water piston unit;
- a water transfer line placing the first and second water piston units in liquid communication with one another;
- a first heat exchanger hot air discharge line and a second heat exchanger hot air discharge line, and associated respective first and second heat exchanger hot air release valves, to allow static air to be selectively released from the static heat exchanger to the associated and respective first and second water piston units;
- a first air pressure equalization control valve and a second air pressure equalization control valve to allow air to be selectively released from the respective first and second water piston units to an ambient atmosphere;
- a first heat exchanger cool air inlet line and a second heat exchanger cool air inlet line, and associated respective first and second heat exchanger cool air inlet valves, to allow air from the respective first and second water piston units to be selectively released to the static heat exchanger;
- a first heat exchanger atmospheric vent valve and a second heat exchanger atmospheric vent valve, the first and second heat exchanger atmospheric vent valves being disposed at respective opposite ends of the static heat exchanger to allow air to be selectively released from the static heat exchanger;
- a first cool ambient air inlet line and a second cool ambient air inlet line, and associated respective first and second cool ambient air control valves, to allow ambient air to be drawn selectively into the respective first and second water piston units;
- a first orifice disposed on the respective first cool ambient air inlet line inside the first water piston unit to precipitate moisture from incoming ambient air into liquid water within the first water piston unit, and
- a second orifice disposed on the respective second cool ambient air inlet line inside the and second water piston unit to precipitate moisture from incoming ambient air into liquid water within the second water piston unit.