Apparatus and method for solar and wind based power generation

An apparatus for generating electric power, the apparatus comprising:

• a heat-capturing element that generates thermal energy when exposed to solar radiation;
• a canopy defining a volume surrounding the heat-capturing element and substantially trapping air particles in proximity to the heat-capturing element, wherein a portion of the volume has a decreased cross section;
• a thermal system comprising:
• a heat-absorbing fluid;
• and
• at least one conduit for transporting the heat-absorbing fluid;
• at least one horizontal turbine;
• and
• an electric generator coupled to the at least one horizontal turbine;
• wherein thermal energy generated by the heat-capturing element causes surrounding air particles within the canopy to thermally expand and rise;
• wherein the rising air is directed through the portion of the canopy with a decreased cross section;
• wherein the rising air passes across the at least one horizontal turbine as it exits the canopy;
• and
• wherein the thermal system is configured to provide a positive thermal feedback by using the heat-absorbing fluid to collect thermal energy from a first area of the heat-capturing element near an output and transport it directly, via the at least one conduit, to a second area of the heat-capturing element near an intake so as to increase the temperature of the heat-capturing element near the intake and increase the performance of the system.

A method for utilizing solar energy, the method comprising:

• exposing a heat-capturing element to solar radiation such that the heat-capturing element generates thermal energy;
• substantially trapping air particles in proximity to the heat-capturing element, such that a portion of the air particles thermally expand and rise when the heat-capturing element generates thermal energy;
• directing the rising air particles through a decreasing volume such that the particles become restricted and their velocity increases;
• performing a positive thermal feedback operation on the heat-capturing element, wherein thermal energy from a first area of the heat-capturing element near an output is collected and transported directly to a second area of the heat-capturing element near an intake so as to increase the temperature of the heat-capturing element near the intake and increase the performance of the system;
• directing the rising air particles across at least one horizontal turbine, causing the turbine to turn with kinetic energy;
• and
• converting the kinetic energy from the at least one turbine through the use of an electric generator.