Exemplary systems and methods described herein can be used to secure a rail to a module or the rail to a support using a nut that can be inserted at a desired point of mounting. Another exemplary system describes a flashing to be inserted under a roof shingle, wherein the flashing is secured to a support for a rail or module. Yet another exemplary system describes a clamp that secures a rail or module and is adjustable along the length of a post. Spacers can be added to the post to extend the adjustment range of the clamp.

The method according to the invention for producing a prestressed concrete workpiece is characterized in that the prestress is created by a heat treatment, wherein the concrete and the reinforcement therefor are selected in such a way that, when cooling the concrete workpiece from an elevated temperature, the heat expansion coefficient of the concrete is less than that of the reinforcement, and in that, during cooling, the concrete and the reinforcement adhere sufficiently strongly to one another if, during cooling, the concrete is hydrated at least to such an extent in order to be able to expand the reinforcement on account of the different heat expansion coefficients, and in that the concrete, together with the reinforcement, is brought to the elevated temperature in such a way that and is hydrated during cooling at least to such an extent that it is prestressed by the reinforcement after cooling.

Methods, systems, and devices for a triangular heliostat structure comprising a heliostat drive mounted on a post at each corner of the structure. Embodiments include determining an installation position of a heliostat structure based on the position of an adjacent heliostat structure when a pivotable spacing bar is detachably attached to at least two posts of the heliostat structures and may be based on the heliostat structures comprising three posts in a triangular configuration.

A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.

A solar power system can include a rail and a solar module disposed on the rail. A clamp assembly can couple the solar module to the rail. The clamp assembly can have a clamped configuration in which the solar module is secured to the rail and an unclamped configuration. The clamp assembly can comprise an upper clamp member, a lower clamp member coupled to the rail, and a stabilization member mechanically engaging the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member. The stabilization member can prevent rotation of the lower clamp member relative to the rail when the clamp assembly is in the clamped and unclamped configurations. In the unclamped configuration, the stabilization member can be biased such that the upper clamp member is disposed at a sufficient clearance above the rail to permit the insertion of the solar module between the upper clamp member and the rail.

Disclosed are a main beam and a use thereof and a photovoltaic tracking bracket, wherein the main beam includes a flat plate and an elliptical curved plate, each of both ends of the flat plate are respectively fixedly connected to a corresponding end of the elliptical curved plate to form a ring shape, and a plane where the flat plate is located is perpendicular to a long axis of an ellipse where the elliptical curved plate is located. Also provided is the use of the main beam in the photovoltaic tracking bracket. The photovoltaic tracking bracket includes the main beam; a stand column; and a bearing seat comprising a bearing ring, a Z-shaped support plate and a bottom plate connected sequentially from top to bottom, wherein the Z-shaped support plate has a Z-shaped cross section, the main beam is installed inside the bearing ring, the flat plate of the main beam faces a photovoltaic assembly, and the bottom plate is connected to the stand column. Under the premise of ensuring the same thickness, the main beam of the present invention improves the resistance moment of the lateral cross section and saves costs, and when applied to the photovoltaic tracking bracket, the main beam can slow down the hot spot effect of the double-sided photovoltaic assembly and prolong the service life of the same.

A non-invasive roof attachment system for attaching structures to residential and commercial roofs without the use of penetrations to roofing shingles and sealing layers is described. The attachment system includes vertical and lateral array stays to attach roof mounted systems such as solar panels. The non-slip attachment system also allows for the quick removal of such roof mounted systems rapidly and without the need for repair of penetrations. The non-slip attachment system uses, among other things, an array-stay retainer comprising a vertical member and a horizontal member. A high friction foam polymer padding may further secure the array stays to the roof.

A non-invasive roof attachment system for attaching structures to residential and commercial roofs without the use of penetrations to roofing shingles and sealing layers is described. The attachment system includes vertical and lateral array stays to attach roof mounted systems such as solar panels. The non-slip attachment system also allows for the quick removal of such roof mounted systems rapidly and without the need for repair of penetrations. The non-slip attachment system uses, among other things, an array-stay retainer comprising a vertical member and a horizontal member. A high friction foam polymer padding may further secure the array stays to the roof.

Photovoltaic thermal (PVT) apparatus 10 combines a photovoltaic panel (PV) panel 24 and solar air heater (SAH). The SAH includes body 12 with hollow interior 14 defining ducts 16a, 18a for air inlet 16 and air return 18. Jets 22 provide air to convey heat from the PV panel underside. Spaces between the jets provide drains 26 for warmed air to flow away. Flow modifiers/deflectors 124 can guide the airflow. A fan 42 pushes ambient air into the inlet 16 via air handling unit (AHU) 50. Return warm air flows via the AHU to escape via the ambient exhaust 40. A combined thermal transfer and storage unit 52 determines whether air from the PVT panel(s) diverts to the interior space. For cooler ambient conditions, the PVT apparatus can radiate heat to return cooled air into the space. The PVT apparatus can harvest condensation, heat/cool pools and industrial processes.

An autonomous solar collector cleaning device includes at least one main shaft, a first driver attached to a first end of the at least one main shaft, and a second driver attached to a second end of the at least one main shaft. The first and second drivers propel the cleaning device along a surface of the solar collector. A first sensor is attached to the first driver to detect an edge of the solar collector, and a second sensor is attached to the second driver to detect the edge of the solar collector. A control circuit maintains alignment of the cleaning device with respect to the solar collector based on outputs from the first and second sensors.