Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

A plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules are configured into a PV string to generate a PV string voltage in a solar power system. The number of PV modules per PV string is based on operating conditions at the solar power system site and cause the PV string voltage to exceed a maximum voltage specification when operating at the lowest expected ambient temperature at the site, but only exceeds the maximum voltage specification for a limited number of occurrences for which the operating conditions at the site cause the PV string voltage to exceed the maximum voltage specification. Under control of a string voltage control circuit, voltage bypass circuits selectively bypass the bypass photovoltaic module so as to eliminate the PV module from the PV string voltage when the operating conditions at the site cause the PV string voltage to exceed the maximum voltage specification.

In an aspect, the present disclosure describes a method comprising using at least one robot to fully autonomously position and assemble at least one solar module and its supporting structure at a sensed geolocation without aid from a user.

A solar-powered generator captures solar energy and generates steam with the energy. The generator includes a container formed with an inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells and an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner and outer spherical walls. The container is formed to allow for sunlight to enter the inner chamber. An inlet port is configured to allow water to enter the outer chamber and an outlet port is configured to allow steam to exit the outer chamber, whereby sunlight entering the inner chamber through the passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface allowing thermal energy to heat the water in the outer chamber to create steam to generate electricity through an external steam turbine. While simultaneously using radiant energy to be absorbed by photovoltaic cells to generate additional electricity.

A solar-powered generator captures solar energy and generates steam with the energy. The generator includes a container formed with an inner spherical wall defining an inner chamber and having an inner reflective surface containing photovoltaic cells and an outer spherical wall defining an outer chamber located between the inner and outer spherical walls. The container is formed to allow for sunlight to enter the inner chamber. An inlet port is configured to allow water to enter the outer chamber and an outlet port is configured to allow steam to exit the outer chamber, whereby sunlight entering the inner chamber through the passage bounces off of the inner reflective surface allowing thermal energy to heat the water in the outer chamber to create steam to generate electricity through an external steam turbine. While simultaneously using radiant energy to be absorbed by photovoltaic cells to generate additional electricity.

An apparatus and system for flexibly mounting a power module to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of distributed mounting points adapted to be adhered to a face of the PV module for mechanically coupling the power module to the PV module, wherein the plurality of distributed mounting points flexibly retain the power module such that the PV module is able to flex without subjecting the power module to stress from flexure of the PV module.

An apparatus and system for flexibly mounting a power module to a photovoltaic (PV) module. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a plurality of distributed mounting points adapted to be adhered to a face of the PV module for mechanically coupling the power module to the PV module, wherein the plurality of distributed mounting points flexibly retain the power module such that the PV module is able to flex without subjecting the power module to stress from flexure of the PV module.

To provide a solar power generation site construction method enabling a great improvement in power generation efficiency through effectively utilizing a space of a power generation site with an irregular planar shape. A solar module 7 is configured by arranging a plurality of solar cell groups, each including a plurality of solar cells. A plurality of types of unit modules are prepared including a one-unit module 7.sub.-1 including one solar module, a reference unit module 7.sub.-s including a plurality (N) of solar modules serving as a construction standard, and n-unit modules 7.sub.-n including an arbitrary number (n), which falls between 2 and N−1, of solar modules. The solar modules 7 are densely laid in an area with a two-dimensional shape in top view of a field 35 of a power generation site, by combining the plurality of types of unit modules 7.sub.-1, 7.sub.-S, 7.sub.-n.

To provide a solar power generation site construction method enabling a great improvement in power generation efficiency through effectively utilizing a space of a power generation site with an irregular planar shape. A solar module 7 is configured by arranging a plurality of solar cell groups, each including a plurality of solar cells. A plurality of types of unit modules are prepared including a one-unit module 7.sub.-1 including one solar module, a reference unit module 7.sub.-s including a plurality (N) of solar modules serving as a construction standard, and n-unit modules 7.sub.-n including an arbitrary number (n), which falls between 2 and N−1, of solar modules. The solar modules 7 are densely laid in an area with a two-dimensional shape in top view of a field 35 of a power generation site, by combining the plurality of types of unit modules 7.sub.-1, 7.sub.-S, 7.sub.-n.

Methods for implementing power delivery transactions between a buyer and a seller of electrical energy supplied to an electrical grid by an integrated renewable energy source (RES) and energy storage system (ESS) of a RES-ESS facility are provided. Estimated total potential output of the RES is compared to a point of grid interconnect (POGI) limit to identify potential RES overgeneration, and the buyer is charged if potential RES overgeneration is less than potential overgeneration during one or more retrospective time windows. The method provides a basis for the RES-ESS facility owner to be paid for an estimated amount of energy that did not get stored as a result of a grid operator not fully discharging an ESS prior to the start of a new day.