A photovoltaic support includes a first vertical upright column (110) and a second vertical upright column (120) on a foundation, and a beam (10) respectively hinged with a first end of the first vertical upright column (110) and a first end of the second vertical upright column (120). The photovoltaic support further includes a first movable connecting piece (140) provided on the foundation and connected with a second end of the first vertical upright column (110). The first movable connecting piece (140) is automatically adjusted according to the wind intensity, such that the first vertical upright column (110) moves in a vertical direction to adjust an inclination angle of the beam (130). The photovoltaic support can adjust the angle adaptively in the case of a strong wind, and restore automatically after the strong wind has passed.

A method and apparatus are provided for detecting defects in a solar panel array (20), using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (10). The UAV (10) has mounted thereon a pyranometer (12), a GPS receiver (13), a thermographic camera (14), a visual imaging camera (15) and a data logger (16). The method comprises the steps of: (i) mapping the location of panels (22) in a solar array (20); (ii) utilising mapped data collected in step (i) to generate an optimal waypoint flight path (24) for the UAV (10); (iii) transmitting the optimal waypoint flight path data (24) generated in step (ii) to the control means of the UAV (10); (iv) flying the UAV (10) over the solar array (20) using the optimal waypoint flight path (24), whilst simultaneously recording thermographic and visual imagery, and logging solar irradiance and GPS data; and (v) processing data logged in step (iv) to identify and report defective panels (22) by temperature gradient, with cross-referenced solar irradiance data, thermographic and visual imagery and GPS location data.

A tower for a concentrated solar power plant includes: an upper external platform on which is arranged an essentially cylindrical solar receiver with an external side surface and an upper base, the side surface of the receiver including a plurality of removably mounted receiving panels; and a placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels. The placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels includes a crane mounted so as to be rotatable 360 and guided using at least two concentric rails, on the upper base of the receiver.

A tower for a concentrated solar power plant includes: an upper external platform on which is arranged an essentially cylindrical solar receiver with an external side surface and an upper base, the side surface of the receiver including a plurality of removably mounted receiving panels; and a placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels. The placement and maintenance system for the receiving panels includes a crane mounted so as to be rotatable 360 and guided using at least two concentric rails, on the upper base of the receiver.

A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

A solar module system is coupled directly to a fixed structure either individually or collectively as an array. Universal mounting brackets attached to the back of each solar panel module each connect to one or more other brackets of adjacent solar panels and/or to mounting feet that anchor to the fixed structure. Mounting brackets interlock with mounting brackets on adjacent solar modules and include a flexible snap coupling mechanism including a locking feature to selectively flexibly connect to and disconnect from other mounting brackets of adjacent solar panels.

Methods of arranging and operating a molten salt solar thermal energy system are disclosed. Molten salt flows from a set of cold storage tanks to solar receivers which heat the molten salt to a maximum temperature of about 850 F. The heated molten salt is sent to a set of hot storage tanks. The heated molten salt is then pumped to a steam generation system to produce steam for process and/or power generation. Lower salt temperatures are useful in processes that use lower steam temperatures, such as thermal desalination. Lower salt temperatures and low chloride molten salt reduce the corrosion potential, permitting the use of lower cost alloys for the solar receivers, hot storage tanks, salt pumps, piping and instrumentation and steam generation system. Multiple sets of modular, shop assembled storage tanks are also used to reduce the amount of salt piping, simplify draining, and reduce field assembly and plant cost.

Methods of arranging and operating a molten salt solar thermal energy system are disclosed. Molten salt flows from a set of cold storage tanks to solar receivers which heat the molten salt to a maximum temperature of about 850 F. The heated molten salt is sent to a set of hot storage tanks. The heated molten salt is then pumped to a steam generation system to produce steam for process and/or power generation. Lower salt temperatures are useful in processes that use lower steam temperatures, such as thermal desalination. Lower salt temperatures and low chloride molten salt reduce the corrosion potential, permitting the use of lower cost alloys for the solar receivers, hot storage tanks, salt pumps, piping and instrumentation and steam generation system. Multiple sets of modular, shop assembled storage tanks are also used to reduce the amount of salt piping, simplify draining, and reduce field assembly and plant cost.

A foldable solar panel assembly is configured to support solar panels in a compact and folded, undeployed position, and in an unfolded, deployed position, and to fold and unfold between its deployed and undeployed position.