Concentrating solar power with glasshouses

Abstract

A protective transparent enclosure (such as a glasshouse or a greenhouse) encloses a concentrated solar power 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 parabolic trough concentrators with one or more lateral extensions. In some embodiments, the lateral extension is a unilateral extension of the primary parabolic trough shape. In some embodiments, the lateral extensions are movably connected to the primary portion. In some embodiments, the lateral extensions have a focal line separate from the focal line of the base portion. In some embodiments, the greenhouse is a Dutch Venlo style greenhouse.

1 - 113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . A solar collection system, comprising:
 an enclosure having a transmissive surface positioned to transmit solar radiation;   an elongated receiver positioned within the enclosure and positioned to carry a working fluid, wherein the receiver has (a) a first portion that is fixed longitudinally relative to the enclosure and (b) a second portion that is not fixed longitudinally relative to the enclosure; and   a hanger supporting the second portion of the receiver, wherein an inclination of the hanger changes when a temperature of the receiver changes from a first temperature to a second temperature less than the first temperature.   
     
     
         115 . The system of  claim 114  wherein the hanger is positioned generally vertically when the receiver is at the first temperature. 
     
     
         116 . The system of  claim 114  wherein the hanger is positioned generally perpendicular to the receiver when the receiver is at the first temperature. 
     
     
         117 . The system of  claim 114  wherein the receiver expands and contracts based on a temperature of the working fluid, and wherein an inclination of the receiver changes when the temperature of the receiver changes from the first temperature to the second temperature. 
     
     
         118 . The system of  claim 117  wherein the receiver is positioned generally horizontally and the hanger is positioned generally vertically when the receiver is at the first temperature. 
     
     
         119 . The system of  claim 118 , further comprising a concentrator suspended from the receiver, wherein an inclination of the concentrator changes when the temperature of the receiver changes from the first temperature to the second temperature. 
     
     
         120 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the concentrator is a line-focus concentrator. 
     
     
         121 . The system of  claim 120  wherein the concentrator is bilaterally symmetric. 
     
     
         122 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the concentrator includes an aluminum reflective surface. 
     
     
         123 . The system of  claim 119  wherein the concentrator includes a foam core. 
     
     
         124 . The system of  claim 114  wherein the receiver is suspended from a structural element of the enclosure. 
     
     
         125 . A solar collection system, comprising:
 an enclosure having a transmissive surface positioned to transmit solar radiation;   an elongated conduit positioned within the enclosure and configured to carry a working fluid, wherein—
 the conduit has a length, 
 the length of the conduit is configured to change based on a change in temperature of the working fluid, 
 the conduit has (a) a first portion that is fixed longitudinally relative to the enclosure and (b) a second portion that is not fixed longitudinally relative to the enclosure, and 
 an inclination of the conduit changes when the temperature of the conduit changes from a first temperature to a second temperature less than the first temperature. 
   
     
     
         126 . The system of  claim 125  wherein the enclosure includes a structural element, and wherein the conduit is suspended from the structural element by a plurality of hangers. 
     
     
         127 . The system of  claim 126  wherein an inclination of the hangers changes when the temperature of the conduit changes from the first temperature to the second temperature. 
     
     
         128 . The system of  claim 127  wherein the conduit is positioned generally horizontally and the hangers are positioned generally vertically when the conduit is at the first temperature. 
     
     
         129 . The system of  claim 125 , further comprising a concentrator suspended from the conduit via a plurality of suspension members, wherein an inclination of the concentrator changes with the conduit when the temperature of the conduit changes from the first temperature to the second temperature. 
     
     
         130 . The system of  claim 129  wherein the concentrator is a line-focus concentrator. 
     
     
         131 . The system of  claim 129  wherein the concentrator is bilaterally symmetric, wherein the concentrator includes an aluminum reflective surface, and wherein the concentrator includes a foam core. 
     
     
         132 . A solar collection system, comprising:
 an enclosure having a transmissive surface positioned to transmit solar radiation;   an elongated conduit positioned within the enclosure and carrying a working fluid, wherein a length of the conduit changes based on a change in temperature of the working fluid, wherein the conduit has (a) a first portion that is fixed longitudinally relative to the enclosure and (b) a second portion that is not fixed longitudinally relative to the enclosure; and   a hanger suspending the second portion of the conduit from the enclosure, wherein both an inclination of the hanger and an inclination of the conduit change when the temperature of the working fluid changes from a first temperature to a second temperature less than the first temperature.   
     
     
         133 . The system of  claim 132 , further comprising a concentrator suspended from the conduit via a plurality of suspension members, wherein an inclination of the concentrator changes with the conduit when the temperature of the conduit changes from the first temperature to the second temperature.