Patent ID: 7854224

Claim:
Apparatus for collection and use of solar energy, comprising: a) a generally cylindrical chimney, the chimney providing a path for flow of air by convection so as to perform useful work, b) an external solar collector, the external solar collector including: i) a generally cylindrical outer casing having a first aperture for allowing solar radiation to enter the outer casing, ii) a generally cylindrical inner casing, disposed within the outer casing, the inner casing having a second aperture for allowing solar radiation, having passed through the first aperture, to enter the inner casing, iii) a first target substrate, located within the inner casing, for absorbing solar radiation in the inner casing, wherein the chimney is spaced apart from the external solar collector, wherein the chimney includes a first heat exchanger located inside the chimney for heating air within the chimney, the apparatus including means for transferring heat between the first target substrate within the external solar collector and the first heat exchanger inside the chimney, and c) an internal solar collector located entirely inside the chimney, the internal solar collector including a second target substrate which is connected to a second heat exchanger, the chimney having an opening which allows solar radiation to impinge upon the second target substrate.