Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.

A solar device is provided, including: a solar panel assembly which includes a solar panel and a strut, and the solar panel has a solar power conversion face and a connecting portion which is connected to the strut; and a support device which includes a base seat, an engaging portion and a rubber elastic portion, the base seat has a plurality of threaded structures for being screwed to a base surface, the engaging portion is connected to the strut, and the rubber elastic portion is connected to and between the base seat and the engaging portion.

Various implementations described herein are directed to an apparatus including an assembly for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic panels above a ground. The assembly may be supported by one or more poles. Each of the plurality of poles may include a fixed portion configured to be fixed on the ground and a moveable portion configured to be moveably coupled to at least one of the fixed portion or the assembly. The moveable portion may have a closed configuration. At the closed configuration, the moveable portion may support the assembly by being coupled to the fixed portion, and an open configuration. At the open configuration, the moveable portion may be detached from at least one of the fixed portion and the assembly.

The invention relates to a solar power plant with a first heat transfer medium circuit and with a second heat transfer medium circuit, in which the first heat transfer medium circuit comprises a store (3) for hot heat transfer medium and a store (5) for cold heat transfer medium and also a pipeline system (6) connecting the stores (3, 5) for hot heat transfer medium and for cold heat transfer medium and leading through a solar array (7), and the second heat transfer medium circuit comprises a pipeline system (9) connecting the stores (3, 5) for hot heat transfer medium and for cold heat transfer medium and in which at least one heat exchanger (11) for the evaporation and superheating of water is accommodated, the at least one heat exchanger (11) having a region through which the heat transfer medium flows and a region through which water flows, said regions being separated by a heat-conducting wall, so that heat can be transmitted from the heat transfer medium to the water. Each heat exchanger (11) has a break detection system (21), by means of which a possible break of the heat-conducting wall can be detected, and valves (23) for the closing of supply lines (13, 17) and outflow lines (15, 19) for heat transfer medium and water, upon the detection of a break the valves (23) in the supply lines (13, 17) and outflow lines (15, 19) for heat transfer medium and water being closed.

The invention relates to a solar power plant with a first heat transfer medium circuit and with a second heat transfer medium circuit, in which the first heat transfer medium circuit comprises a store (3) for hot heat transfer medium and a store (5) for cold heat transfer medium and also a pipeline system (6) connecting the stores (3, 5) for hot heat transfer medium and for cold heat transfer medium and leading through a solar array (7), and the second heat transfer medium circuit comprises a pipeline system (9) connecting the stores (3, 5) for hot heat transfer medium and for cold heat transfer medium and in which at least one heat exchanger (11) for the evaporation and superheating of water is accommodated, the at least one heat exchanger (11) having a region through which the heat transfer medium flows and a region through which water flows, said regions being separated by a heat-conducting wall, so that heat can be transmitted from the heat transfer medium to the water. Each heat exchanger (11) has a break detection system (21), by means of which a possible break of the heat-conducting wall can be detected, and valves (23) for the closing of supply lines (13, 17) and outflow lines (15, 19) for heat transfer medium and water, upon the detection of a break the valves (23) in the supply lines (13, 17) and outflow lines (15, 19) for heat transfer medium and water being closed.

Diagnostic vehicles, systems, and methods for characterizing a solar collector system are presented herein. The diagnostic vehicle comprises a frame, one or more sensors positioned along the frame, and a control system. The one or more sensors measure and characterize attributes of the solar collector system and/or its environment such as reflectivity of an area of ground around the solar collector system, an angular offset of a drive system of the solar collector system, and/or a degradation of structural components that support photovoltaic panels in the solar collector system. The control system is programmed to move the frame to one or more locations in the solar collector system and control the one or more sensors to acquire measurements at the one or more locations.

A solar installation has a support (1) and a support frame (4) for solar modules (6), which are combined to form a solar panel (7). The support frame (4) can be pivoted on the support (1) about an elevation axis (5) and the support frame (4) forms, with respect to the elevation axis (5), a bottom section (10) on the ground side and an adjoining top section (11), whose width extension (L.sub.2) perpendicular to the elevation axis (5) is greater than the width extension (L.sub.1) of the bottom section (10). The top section (11) of the solar panel (7) has flow passage openings (12) at least between groups of solar modules (6) while the bottom section (10) is at least largely wind-impermeable.

A solar installation has a support (1) and a support frame (4) for solar modules (6), which are combined to form a solar panel (7). The support frame (4) can be pivoted on the support (1) about an elevation axis (5) and the support frame (4) forms, with respect to the elevation axis (5), a bottom section (10) on the ground side and an adjoining top section (11), whose width extension (L.sub.2) perpendicular to the elevation axis (5) is greater than the width extension (L.sub.1) of the bottom section (10). The top section (11) of the solar panel (7) has flow passage openings (12) at least between groups of solar modules (6) while the bottom section (10) is at least largely wind-impermeable.

A method for inspecting a solar panel of a solar power station is performed in a controller for an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and includes the steps of: receiving an inspection request for a subset of the solar panels navigating, in a first stage, using radio signals, the UAV to an initial location in a vicinity of a particular solar panel of the subset of solar panels; positioning, in a second stage, the UAV using at least one near field sensor of the UAV; and capturing, using the infrared camera, an image of the particular solar panel.