Direct and diffused solar radiation collector

A solar energy collecting apparatus for collecting direct radiant energy having parallel paths as well as diffused radiant energy from the sun and transferring the collected energy in the form of heat to fluids, said apparatus comprising:

• a first heat collector comprising a heat collection pipe for carrying a first fluid within the pipe and for absorbing concentrated direct radiant energy and transferring heat energy to the first fluid;
• a trough-shaped reflector having a highly reflective inner surface which has a substantially parabolic cross-section which defines a focus, said reflector defining an aperture through which direct and diffused radiant energy enter to be reflected;
• means associated with the reflector and the heat collection pipe for carrying the pipe at the focus of the reflector;
• a second heat collector disposed adjacent said first heat collector and comprising an array of planar strips for absorbing diffused radiant energy and transferring heat energy to a second fluid, said array disposed in a transparent box-like housing said housing being oriented transversely to the focal axis of said reflector, whereby direct radiation from the sun passes undistrubed through said housing and said second fluid,
• means for carrying the second fluid in close physical proximity to the array of strips so that the heat absorbed by the strip array may be transferred to the second fluid;
• means associated with the reflector and the array of strips for carrying the array adjacent the reflector surface so that the array intersects a substantial portion of diffused light reflected by the reflector;
• and
• means for carrying the heated first fluid from the heat collection pipe near the second fluid whereby the first fluid may further heat the second fluid.

A solar energy collecting apparatus for collecting direct radiant energy having parallel paths as well as diffused radiant energy from the sun and transferring collected energy in the form of electricity and for transferring collected energy in the form of heat to a working fluid said apparatus comprising:

• a high concentration trough-shaped reflector having a highly reflective inner surface which has a substantially parabolic cross-section which defines a focus, said reflector defining an aperture through which direct and diffused radiant energy enter to be reflected;
• an absorption pipe for carrying the working fluid within the pipe and for absorbing concentrated direct radiant energy reflected from the reflector and transferring heat energy to the working fluid;
• means associated with the reflector and the absorption pipe for carrying the pipe at the focus of the reflector;
• a panel of fluorescent glass and an array of solar cells facing the periphery of the panel, said panel for absorbing radiant energy entering the panel wherein molecules within the panel are caused to fluoresce with a substantial portion of emitted fluorescent light being internally reflected to the solar cells for conversion to electricity, said absorption pipe extending along the length of said panel;
• and
• means associated with the reflector and the panel for carrying the panel adjacent the reflector surface so that the panel intercepts a substantial portion of diffused light reflected by the reflector said panel also being oriented for directly absorbing said direct radiant energy from the sun for conversion to electricity.