A solar cooker which has at least one biconvex lens which can concentrate solar rays onto an item to be cooked. In addition, the solar cooker utilizes a series of pulleys to rotate the lens from an angle of 45.degree. on each side of the sun's zenith in order to effectively collect the sun's rays at different times of the day.

A solar structure, and more particularly a greenhouse, comprising a framework formed from frame members (20, 20a) and a flexible cover (26) having portions (28) of varying optical density along its length, and wound between a pair of opposed spooled 24 mounted on respective sides of the framework such that the cover is wound from one spool to the opposed spool. The cover is constrained to move over rollers (22) extending longitudinally of the framework, and the edges of the cover are received to...

A portable solar oven which innovatively combines improved elements to achieve and maintain a high internal temperature. In the shown embodiment, a box-shaped insulated body shell includes a pair of side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a base. The front wall has an insulated door made integral therewith. The inner portion of the side walls and door have polished metal panels affixed thereto to reflect solar radiation into the interior of the oven. The back wall and base have a heat element...

A solar panel for use in a roof mounted array of solar panels, each panel having ridges protruding outwardly and adjacent to the side edges for receiving a standing seam cap between side-adjacent panels. Each solar panel is formed as an integral structure having a photovoltaic module an edge of which is sealed by a base substrate. The base substrate is configured to have lipped top and bottom edges which interlock to form a watertight seal between top-adjacent and bottom-adjacent solar panels. T...

A solar collector for use in association with a building, the system having a concave mirror located on the exterior of the building and defining a focal point, a moveable mounting for moving the mirror to aim it directly at the sun at least over a predetermined period of the daylight hours, a secondary reflector located at the focal point of the concave mirror to receive the sun's rays reflected from the mirror means, an opening in the concave mirror to receive a concentrated beam of the sun's ...

A solar cell includes a silicon body with a first anti-reflection layer on its front side. The first anti-reflection layer has elongated window openings which extend parallel to one another. Parallel contact fingers made of metal extend over the first anti-reflection layer at right angles to the window openings. The contact fingers make electrical contact with the silicon body through the window openings. A second anti-reflection layer is deposited on top of the contact fingers and the first ant...

A solar dehumidifier which utilizes solar energy to evaporate the moisture in air absorbed by the liquid desiccant and then to make said liquid desiccant denser for reuse. In other words, the humid air is dried in order to be used in a specific area. In particular, the solar dehumidifier according to the present invention is provided with a heat-pipe heat exchanger to increase the evaporation rate of the moisture absorbed by the liquid desiccant.

A manufacturing method and an improved structure for solar cells are described. A transparent conductive film and a photoelectric conversion layer are laminated on a flexible transparent substrate, and thereafter the laminate is severed by a first groove formed by laser scribing. A second groove is also formed at the same time in parallel to the first groove. The first groove is filled with an insulating material. An insulating strip is formed in parallel with the first groove. A reflective cond...

A reservoir for storing and solar-heating water, a shower head, and means in fluid communication between said reservoir and said shower head for adjusting a temperature of water leaving said shower head. The shower preferably includes a source of temperature-blending water, such as a hose, for pressurizing the reservoir. The reservoir preferably comprising a one-piece, unitary sphere.

Designed is a system for recycling abandoned appliances as refrigerators, for conversion into solar applications. Designed is a converted refrigerator into a solar greenhouse, thus extending the growing season in cold climates. Illustrated is a solar powered fan, a skylight with a back reflector, a door window, screen to provide an insect barrier and a recycled refrigerator.