Concentrating solar power with glasshouses
US8748731B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A protective transparent enclosure (such as a glasshouse or a greenhouse) encloses a concentrated solar power system (e.g. a thermal and/or a photovoltaic system). The concentrated solar power system includes one or more solar concentrators and one or more solar receivers. Thermal power is provided to an industrial process, electrical power is provided to an electrical distribution grid, or both. In some embodiments, the solar concentrators are dish-shaped mirrors that are mechanically coupled to a joint that enables rotation at a fixed distance about respective solar collectors that are fixed in position with respect to the protective transparent enclosure. In some embodiments, the solar collectors are suspended from structure of the protective transparent enclosure and the solar concentrators are suspended from the solar collectors. In some embodiments, the greenhouse is a Dutch Venlo style greenhouse.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.