A thermal cell panel system for heating and cooling using a refrigerant includes a plurality of solar thermal cell chambers, and a piping network for a flow of the refrigerant through the plurality of solar thermal cell chambers. In addition, the system includes a compressor having a motor coupled to a variable frequency drive (VFD), where the compressor is coupled to the piping network upstream of the plurality of solar thermal cell chambers and the VFD is configured to adjust a speed of the motor in response to the pressure of the refrigerant within the plurality of solar thermal cell chambers. The piping network includes an inlet manifold coupled to the inlet of each solar thermal cell chamber, and an outlet manifold coupled to the outlet of each solar cell chamber.

A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

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 method for measuring heliostats including: a) providing a light source, b) aligning at least some heliostats to be measured in order to reflect light from the light source onto a predefined target point or target area in the sky or in the vicinity of the solar tower; c) moving a flying apparatus having at least one camera along a predefined flight pattern around and over the target point or target area, and simultaneously capturing images of one of the one or more heliostats to be measured by the camera at a predefined time interval; d) evaluating the images wherein a virtual target is calculated from the images by a previously determined or stored capturing position of the corresponding image; e) determining, by the focal point on the virtual target, a target vector of each of the heliostats to be measured and comparing it with a target value.

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.

According to one or more embodiments, an intelligent solar racking system is provided. The intelligent solar racking system includes a racking frame that receives and mechanically supports solar modules. The intelligent solar racking system includes sensors distributed throughout the racking frame. Each of the sensors detects and reports parameter data by generating output signals. The sensors include module sensors positioned to associate with each of the solar modules and detect a module presence as the parameter data for the solar modules. The intelligent solar racking system includes a computing device that receives, stores, and analyzes the output signals to determine and monitor operations of the intelligent solar racking system.

A solar tracking system with a plurality of tracking assemblies moved by a single motor. A method and system that prevents overloading the motor or tripping a circuit breaker due to an obstructed or impeded tracker includes sensing movement of the tracker assemblies and entering into obstruction clearing modes. Obstruction clearing mode 1 (OCM1) is a high frequency adjustable mode that prompts movement for an adjustable period of time. If movement commences, the system returns to a normal mode. If there is no movement, the system enters into an obstruction clearing mode 2 (OCM2) with is an adjustable lower frequency series of attempts. If there is no movement, no further attempts are made. Each of these steps are monitored and controlled remotely. There are two types of secure connections for drivelines, torque tubes or affixing driveline linkages for high torque conditions.

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 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.

A rigid deformable reflector for heating a target, the rigid deformable reflector having a reflective surface capable of being rigidly deformed, a backing surface capable of supporting the reflective surface, and a concave shape. A method of deforming a rigid deformable reflector utilizing a deforming mechanism, wherein the rigid deformable reflector has a reflective surface and the deforming mechanism has a base and an actuator, the method having the steps of: placing a rigid deformable reflector onto the deforming mechanism, and activating the actuator thereby causing a first force to be applied to the rigid deformable reflector and deforming the shape of the rigid deformable reflector beyond its elastic limit.