Systems and methods of generating energy from solar radiation

Abstract

A solar reflector assembly is provided for generating energy from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A solar reflector assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. The elongated tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.

1 . A solar reflector assembly comprising:
 a primary inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material; and   a reflective sheet coupled to an exterior wall of the upper portion of the primary tube to reflect solar radiation;   wherein the primary tube has an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower ballast portion defines a reservoir containing liquid facilitating ballast, the liquid having a top surface generally parallel to the surface of the supporting body of liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one support component disposed on the exterior wall of the primary tube to support the reflective sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 3  wherein pressure from air inside the primary tube compresses the support component such that the reflective sheet maintains a substantially rigid configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 3  wherein the at least one support component has a generally circular cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support component is a secondary inflatable tube. 
     
     
         7 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 6  wherein the at least one support component includes two support components. 
     
     
         8 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 7  wherein the two support components are independently inflatable. 
     
     
         9 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 7  wherein the two support components are operatively coupled to each other to enable air to pass between the two support components. 
     
     
         10 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 6  wherein the at least one support component is operatively coupled to the primary tube to enable air to pass between the primary and secondary inflatable tubes. 
     
     
         11 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the primary tube further comprises a culture medium for photosynthetic biomass. 
     
     
         13 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 3  wherein the at least one support component runs substantially the entire length of the primary tube. 
     
     
         14 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a solar collector spaced apart from the primary tube and positioned to receive reflected solar radiation from the reflective sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The solar reflector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reflective sheet substantially reflects a first prescribed wavelength range and substantially transmits a second prescribed wavelength range therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . A system for generating energy from solar radiation, comprising:
 a pool housing a supporting body of liquid;   one or more solar reflector assemblies floating on the supporting body of liquid, each solar reflector assembly including:
 a primary inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion at least partially formed of flexible material and a lower ballast portion at least partially formed of flexible material, and an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of the supporting body of liquid; and 
 a reflective sheet coupled to an exterior wall of the upper portion of the primary tube to reflect solar radiation; and 
   a solar collector spaced apart from the primary tube and positioned to receive reflected solar radiation from the reflective sheet;   wherein the lower ballast portion of the primary tube contains liquid facilitating ballast, the liquid having a top surface generally parallel to the surface of the supporting body of liquid.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising at least one support component disposed on the exterior wall of the primary tube to support the reflective sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein pressure from air inside the primary tube compresses the support component such that the reflective sheet maintains a substantially rigid configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the at least one support component is a secondary inflatable tube. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the primary tube further comprises a culture medium for photosynthetic biomass.