Solar power or solar energy has been used for many decades for heating dwellings and water and for generating electricity. Because solar power is a renewable energy source much effort has been made to develop systems to use such energy. The costs have been high and the storage of energy has not been very effective. A significant problem is the need for effectively positioning solar concentrators relative to the sun as the sun moves during the day. The best thick plastic-fibers available in the market have been studied but none of these provided the required level of optical transmission in the near-infrared (NIR) and a large fraction of the incident energy is lost in the waveguides after only a few meters propagation. The efficiencies of conventional systems have been low and there is a need for a more efficient and cost-effective system.
The method of the present invention provides a solution to the above-outlined problems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a solar power system that has a solar concentrator that has a lens disposed therein. The solar concentrator has a first cone-shape and a bottom. The solar concentrator has a length (l) that is longer than a width (w) at the lens of the solar concentrator. A solid tapering device is disposed at the bottom and has a second cone-shape. The tapering device has a bottom in operative engagement with a first curved glass loop section of a glass rod. The glass rod has a second curved glass loop section and a straight section. The first curved loop section and the second curved glass loop section have a first gap defined therebetween. The second curved glass loop section and the straight glass section have a second gap defined therebetween. The solar concentrator is adapted to receive solar power as rays and conveys and concentrates rays as light towards a focus line or segment at the tapering device. The tapering device is in communication with an upper end of the first curved glass loop section. The first curved glass loop section conveys the light to the second curved glass loop section via and across the first gap. The second curved glass loop section conveys the light to the straight glass section via and across the second gap. While transmitting light, the first curved glass loop section is rotated relative to the second curved glass loop section at the first gap. The second curved glass loop section is rotated relative to the straight glass section at the second gap so that the solar concentrator follows a path of a sun. An outer end of the straight glass section is disposed in proximity to a water surface to heat the water below the water surface.
In an alternative embodiment, the outer end is disposed above the water surface.
In yet an alternative embodiment, the outer end is disposed above a water surface of water contained in a container and the water surface is maintained between a minimum level and a maximum level.
In an alternative embodiment, the light emitted from the outer end converts the water to steam that is conveyed from the container.