The solar energy collector of the present invention comprises a light funneling through including a pair of light reflecting surfaces extending from an apex line in a oblique angle, a two dimensional Fresnel lens covering the opening of the trough at the diverging end and a photovolatic panel disposed in the light funneling trough adjacent to the apex line and generally parallel to the chord line connecting the diverging extremities of the two light reflecting surfaces, which combination may fur...

A solar cell (10) is proposed, particularly of silicon, having a semiconductive substrate (1) on one side of which an electrical field is provided by, for example, an MIS contact (1, 2, 3) to cause a separation of charge carriers generated by light energy. The minority charge carriers are drawn into the metal (3) of the MIS contact, whereas the majority charge carriers are discharged via ohmic contact zones (4) arranged on the opposite side of the semiconductive substrate. At least one passivati...

A method of manufacturing a high efficiency solar battery and a high efficiency solar battery comprising a transparent electrode of SnO.sub.2, and a semiconductor layer and a metal electrode formed on the transparent electrode in the stated order. The surface unevenness of the transparent electrode is controlled by forming a dual layer structure. The layer adjacent the transparent substrate comprises an undoped SnO.sub.2 layer, having crystal grains growing substantially perpendicular to the sub...

A solar installation having a collector field having at least one of planar absorbers and solar cells, the collector field being fixed in non-trackable manner of the roof, reflecting surfaces extending laterally over and beyond the absorber surfaces in shading free manner with respect to the absorbers and/or solar cells, the reflecting surfaces having associated carrier members, the reflecting surfaces with the associated carrier members being subdivided into at least two reflecting surfaces in ...

A solar powered squirrel proof bird feeder delivers a mild shock to a squirrel without delivering a shock to a bird using the feeder. Two copper tubes extending adjacent a feed tray provide a perch for birds. However, a squirrel would normally come into contact with both of the spaced apart tubes, and since a potential difference is established between the two copper tubes, a squirrel will be shocked. A solar panel and a battery are employed to charge a capacitor which establishes the voltage di...

The invention concerns a coating material for thermal control comprising a reflecting metal layer whether or not supported by a substrate, characterized in that the reflecting metal layer is coated with a polysiloxane transparent protective coating whereof the structure consists of two-dimensional or three-dimensional blocks mutually linked with linear chains or binding groups, said protective coat being free of chromophoric groups capable of absorbing in ultraviolet radiation above 170 nm. The ...

A solar tracker operates on a single axis, but partially simulates a dual-axis tracker by adjusting tilt angle as the tracker rotates. The tracker is disclosed in particular embodiments which fit efficiently within a hemispherical transparent dome.

The present invention includes a substrate, a lower electrode film, a p-type semiconductor layer (a second semiconductor layer), an n-type semiconductor layer (a first semiconductor layer), an upper electrode film and an anti-reflection film, which are stacked sequentially on the substrate in this order, and an interconnection electrode formed on the upper electrode film. The first semiconductor layer is free from Cd, and the second semiconductor layer is a light-absorption layer. The band gap E...

Conservation of energy of a swimming pool is provided by an attractively colored polyethylene panel secured to a circular frame which panel cover and frame are stable, and will not disintegrate due to direct rays of the sun. The panel passes and traps the heat of the sun rays during the day and maintains a pool cover to prevent substantial loss of heat and thereby retain the heat of the pool. The absorption of heat and reduction of evaporation is effective primarily to reduce fuel of the pool he...

A solar evaporator for recovering minerals from a solution or liquid mixture including one or several stages, each having a large evaporative surface on which the solution sprayed, the surface being dark colored to absorb solar energy and the surface inclining toward a vat which catches the unevaporated solution draining from the surface. The surface is corrugated to shed precipitated minerals into its furrows where the returning solution entrains the mineral crystals and carries them back to th...