A robotic controller for autonomous calibration and inspection of two or more solar surfaces wherein the robotic controller includes a drive system to position itself near a solar surface such that onboard sensors may be utilized to gather information about the solar surface. An onboard communication unit relays information to a central processing network, this processor combines new information with stored historical data to calibrate a solar surface and/or to determine its instantaneous health.

The invention relates to a solar power system and method of monitoring a solar power system. The system comprises one or more stationary solar energy modules supported by a support structure, at least one sensor connected to at least one of the stationary solar energy modules or to the support structure for providing measurement data, and a data transfer unit (16) functionally connected to the sensor for receiving the measurement data and adapted to transmit said measurement data to data analysis unit. According to the invention, the at least one sensor is an acceleration sensor adapted to measure acceleration of said at least one stationary solar energy module or the support structure as the measurement data. The invention allows for detecting mechanical failures caused by environmental factors, for example, in stationary solar power plants at an early stage.

A solar module racking system including a frame. The frame includes pre-wired receptacles for rapid assembly of solar modules. The frame receives and mechanically supports each solar module. The frame arranges the solar modules in a first planar direction, in a second planar direction, and in a vertical direction that is normal to the first and second planar directions. Each pre-wired receptacles individually and electrically connect each of the solar modules after insertion of that module into the frame. The solar module racking system provides a 2 by 1 by 1 configuration or a 1 by 2 by 1 configuration for the plurality of solar modules corresponding to the first planar direction, the second planar direction, and the vertical direction. A first module and a second module are arranged in the first planar direction or the second planar direction, respectively.

A low-heat-loss operation method of a line-focusing heat collection system and the line-focusing heat collection system are provided. The method includes the following steps. Solar energy is utilized to preheat a collector tube in an empty tube state, so that the collector tube is in a preheating mode. After a set preheating temperature is reached, a heat transfer working medium is injected into the collector tube. In the injection process of the heat transfer working medium, an injection section of the collector tube is converted into a focusing mode from a preheating mode. After heat collection is finished, the circulation of the heat transfer working medium is stopped, and the focusing mode of the collector tube is kept. In the drainage process of the heat transfer working medium, an emptying section of the collector tube is converted into a light heat-tracing mode from a focusing mode.

A low-heat-loss operation method of a line-focusing heat collection system and the line-focusing heat collection system are provided. The method includes the following steps. Solar energy is utilized to preheat a collector tube in an empty tube state, so that the collector tube is in a preheating mode. After a set preheating temperature is reached, a heat transfer working medium is injected into the collector tube. In the injection process of the heat transfer working medium, an injection section of the collector tube is converted into a focusing mode from a preheating mode. After heat collection is finished, the circulation of the heat transfer working medium is stopped, and the focusing mode of the collector tube is kept. In the drainage process of the heat transfer working medium, an emptying section of the collector tube is converted into a light heat-tracing mode from a focusing mode.

A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.

Prior art solar energy arrangements are typically structurally complex, have a limited concentration factor and temperature, and their dimensions are large. There is provided a solar energy arrangement and corresponding method for utilizing solar energy by directing sunrays or sunbeams with at least one solar concentrator towards at least one application, device or equipment utilizing solar energy, and a corresponding method, system and computer program product for implementing an arrangement for utilizing solar energy.

Prior art solar energy arrangements are typically structurally complex, have a limited concentration factor and temperature, and their dimensions are large. There is provided a solar energy arrangement and corresponding method for utilizing solar energy by directing sunrays or sunbeams with at least one solar concentrator towards at least one application, device or equipment utilizing solar energy, and a corresponding method, system and computer program product for implementing an arrangement for utilizing solar energy.

A mirror for a solar reflector comprising has at least one sensor integrated in the body of the mirror itself, the body of the mirror being all the layers of the mirror. At least one processor is integrated in the body of the mirror, associated with the sensor, thus generating an intelligent device and an intelligent mirror or smart mirror. A method of assembling the mirror itself and a management system for mirrors that make up a solar field is provided.