Patent ID: 8613278

Claim:
A receiver system for harnessing solar radiation, the receiver system comprising: a tower mounted solar receiver comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid transparent tubes comprising: an outer transparent tube; and an inner transparent tube at least partially within the outer transparent tube; a gas passage within the plurality of transparent tubes, the gas passage having a first gas inlet and a first gas outlet; a first heat absorber, the first heat absorber disposed in the gas passage, wherein the first heat absorber is comprised of at least one elongated strand having at least one fold; a casing wall having a closed geometric shape, and a window wall disposed within a perimeter of the casing wall, the plurality of transparent tubes being disposed between the casing wall and the window wall; and a heat exchange gas passage interposed between the casing wall and the window wall and outside of the plurality of transparent tubes, the heat exchange gas passage having a second gas inlet and a second gas outlet.