Solar energy collector

A solar energy collector comprising a base and four three-dimensional elements having substantially the same general configuration, each of said elements comprising a dome having a substantially circular base, said domes being nested within one another so as to form said energy collector, said domes comprising an outer transparent dome which is adapted to cause a greenhouse effect within said solar collector, a subdome, an intermediate dome which is adapted to collect infrared radiation and to transmit said radiation to fluid circulating in the space between said subdome and an inner dome, said inner dome being adapted to reflect infrared radiation, said inner dome and said collector base together defining a volume which does not extend outwardly beyond the base of said inner dome, said solar energy collector further comprising a heat transfer fluid reservoir which is arranged between said inner dome and the base of said solar energy collector and which is located within said volume.

A solar energy collector comprising a base and at least three three-dimensional elements having substantially the same general configuration, each of said elements comprising a dome having a substantially circular base, said domes being nested within one another so as to form said energy collector, said at least three domes comprising an outer, transparent dome which is adapted to cause a greenhouse effect within said solar collector, an intermediate dome adapted to collect infrared radiation and to transmit said radiation to fluid circulating between the intermediate dome and an inner dome, said inner dome being adapted to reflect infrared radiation, said inner dome and said collector base together defining a volume which does not extend outwardly beyond the base of said inner dome, said solar energy collector further comprising a heat transfer fluid reservoir which is arranged between said inner dome and the base of said solar energy collector and which is located within said volume.