Low cost solar energy collection system

A solar energy collection system for generating superheated steam, havng a plurality of stages, each stage adapted to be most efficient within its temperature range, said system comprising:

• a first stage, including means for raising the temperature of water from ambient to its predetermined efficiency limit;
• a second stage receiving the water from said first stage and raising its temperature, said second stage including a line-focusing, sun-tracking collection system having at least one combination of a linear primary reflector, a linear absorber carrying the water therethrough, and a line-imaging secondary reflector for concentrating the energy rays reflected by the primary reflector;
• and
• a third stage receiving the water from said second stage, said third stage including means for raising the temperature of said water by solar energy and by an exothermic chemical reaction.

A solar energy collection system for providing heating energy during periods of low solar activity, comprising:

• first means for absorbing solar energy;
• means for utilizing a portion of the solar energy from said first means for decomposing a complex chemical contained within a chamber into its constituent first and second part;
• means for removing and storing the first constituent part of said complex chemical until a time of low solar activity;
• and
• means for introducing said stored first constituent part into a chamber containing the second constituent part of said complex chemical under conditions causing a chemical reaction, generating high temperature heat, thereby creating heat during periods of low solar activity.