A solar powered boiler assembly for producing steam with solar energy includes a bowl that is positioned in the ground. A boiler is positioned in the bowl and the boiler has a fluid therein. A dome is removably positioned on the bowl. A plurality of lenses each extends through the dome such that each of the lenses is exposed to sunlight. Each of the lenses focuses the sunlight onto the boiler to heat the boiler. In this way the boiler produces steam by heating the fluid therein. A reflector is coupled to the dome and the reflector is comprised of a light reflecting material for reflecting sunlight onto the lenses.

A fluidic solar actuation array, the fluidic solar actuation array comprising a plurality of separate actuator nodes disposed in a node line. The node line comprises a set of two or more actuator nodes and a pressure supply line that fluidically couples the set of two or more actuator nodes, with each of the two or more actuator nodes comprising a fluidic solar actuator that includes at least a first fluidic inflatable actuator.

At least one shingle is integrated with logic circuitry and various other components which enable high-level functionality and automated system diagnostics. Each shingle can automatically determine its absolute position on a rooftop and/or its position relative to other shingles in the smart shingle system. Each shingle can also detect various changes in its own power generation, efficiency, and/or operating conditions, as well as those of neighboring shingles. Each shingle can then leverage this information to conduct system diagnostics and possibly to generate and/or execute recommended solutions. In another embodiment, each shingle can be coupled to a centralized controller which can perform the same automapping and diagnostic functions. The controller can also monitor the power usage of the building to help optimize the power generation of the smart shingle system. In some embodiments, the smart shingle system can be outfitted with heating components and/or actuators to help automate the process of keeping the smart shingles clear of debris.

A cleaning system for a solar panel is provided. The cleaning system comprises: i) a frame moveable in a transverse direction over the solar panel, the frame having edges oriented in the transverse direction; a brush assembly positioned within the frame and moveable in a longitudinal direction including a plurality brush holders arranged within the frame, with each brush holder being adapted to interchangeably receive a brush for cleaning the solar panel; and a liquid spray arrangement including nozzles arranged one or more rows for spraying at least one of water and a water detergent mix onto the solar panel. The liquid spray arrangement includes nozzles positioned near at least one of the transverse edges of the frame for spraying the water detergent mix onto a longitudinal end of the brush assembly.

A cleaning system for a solar panel is provided. The cleaning system comprises: i) a frame moveable in a transverse direction over the solar panel, the frame having edges oriented in the transverse direction; a brush assembly positioned within the frame and moveable in a longitudinal direction including a plurality brush holders arranged within the frame, with each brush holder being adapted to interchangeably receive a brush for cleaning the solar panel; and a liquid spray arrangement including nozzles arranged one or more rows for spraying at least one of water and a water detergent mix onto the solar panel. The liquid spray arrangement includes nozzles positioned near at least one of the transverse edges of the frame for spraying the water detergent mix onto a longitudinal end of the brush assembly.

A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.

A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.

A process of using thermal energy to decrease the external energy and imported inputs required to perform agricultural processes.

At least one shingle is integrated with logic circuitry and various other components which enable high-level functionality and automated system diagnostics. Each shingle can automatically determine its absolute position on a rooftop and/or its position relative to other shingles in the smart shingle system. Each shingle can also detect various changes in its own power generation, efficiency, and/or operating conditions, as well as those of neighboring shingles. Each shingle can then leverage this information to conduct system diagnostics and possibly to generate and/or execute recommended solutions. In another embodiment, each shingle can be coupled to a centralized controller which can perform the same automapping and diagnostic functions. The controller can also monitor the power usage of the building to help optimize the power generation of the smart shingle system. In some embodiments, the smart shingle system can be outfitted with heating components and/or actuators to help automate the process of keeping the smart shingles clear of debris.

A solar window system for a building is provided. The solar window system includes multiple heat generation encasements. Air inside each heat generation encasement is heated by solar energy. The solar window system further includes a storage tank for storing heat from the heated air. The solar window system also includes a set of connection pipes, wherein the set of connection pipes draw cold air from an indoor space inside the building into the plurality of heat generation encasements, connect each of the heat generation encasements to at least two other heat generation encasements, and transfer the heated air from the set of heat generation encasements to the storage tank.