Systems and methods are described herein that may be used to form a heliostat. Various reflective surfaces and support structures are described that permit lightweight construction of configurable heliostats.

A mount for support of a component on a surface is provided. A base includes a bottom adapted to be supported on the surface, a circuit component, and a data pathway extending from the circuit component. A compressible component is mounted above the base and in electrical contact with the data pathway of the base, the compressible component having an uncompressed state in which the circuit component is not electrically accessible through the compressible component, and a compressed state in which a data pathway is formed through the compressible component such that the data pathway of the base is electrically accessible through the compressible component. The compressible component is adapted to transition from the uncompressed state to the compressed state in response to a lag bolt passing through the compressible component and base and applying sufficient downward pressure to secure the base to the surface.

A channel having a base portion, an open central region, and an integral pair of sidewalls. The integral pair of sidewalls having an upper portion of each sidewall that includes an inward-facing downturned internal flange and an outward-facing upturned external flange.

Systems and methods are described herein that may be used to form a heliostat. Various reflective surfaces and support structures are described that permit lightweight construction of configurable heliostats.

A mount for support of a component on a surface is provided. A base includes a bottom adapted to be supported on the surface, a circuit component, and a data pathway extending from the circuit component. A compressible component is mounted above the base and in electrical contact with the data pathway of the base, the compressible component having an uncompressed state in which the circuit component is not electrically accessible through the compressible component, and a compressed state in which a data pathway is formed through the compressible component such that the data pathway of the base is electrically accessible through the compressible component. The compressible component is adapted to transition from the uncompressed state to the compressed state in response to a lag bolt passing through the compressible component and base and applying sufficient downward pressure to secure the base to the surface.

A method of seasonally positioning a solar panel to improve energy capture and/or reduce space needed for multiple panel installations. The solar panel is maintained in a fixed horizontal position during a first period of time, such as including summer months, and then follows a tracking procedure during a second period of time, such as including winter months.

A system for mounting one or more solar panels, the system comprising: a third sub-assembly comprising: angled posts arranged transverse to each other, each angled post including a penetrating end arranged to penetrate and engage a post-mounting surface; an engagement bracket arranged to engage the angled posts in use; and a second sub-assembly comprising: an elongated member adapted to be mounted to the engagement bracket at a distance from the post-mounting surface and to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the post, the elongated member including at least one male portion that is elongated along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member; and a solar panel support member arranged to slidably receive an edge of a solar panel and including a female portion adapted to receive the at least one male portion of the elongated member, the solar panel support member adapted for pivotal movement about the longitudinal axis of the elongated member to provide a corresponding pivotal movement of the solar panel mounted thereto.

Systems and methods are described herein that may be used to form a heliostat. Various reflective surfaces and support structures are described that permit lightweight construction of configurable heliostats.

A height adjustable pylon and supporting frame assembly is provided. The frame includes two frame members meeting at a corner with the frame members being generally co-planar and the pylon being urged into the corner so as to extend at generally right angles to a plane including the two frame members. A fastener assembly has two end portions each anchored relative its associated frame member so as to extend transversely to it. The fastener assembly includes an intermediate saddle portion engaging a surface of the pylon that is directed outwardly relative to the corner with the pylon being urged into the corner when the fastener assembly is tightened to engage the pylon and lock it axially relative to the frame members in a selected position. Preferably, the frame members each form two upper and two lower frame members of two trusses. Lower ends of the pylons may support the assembly.

A holding frame includes a main frame member extending along a first side of the light-receiving surface, and a sub-frame member extending along a second side adjacent to the first side, wherein the main frame member includes a main outer wall extending along the first side, main holding units formed on the main outer wall to hold the solar cell panel from the first-side side, and a main bottom piece formed on the main outer wall protruding towards inside of the holding frame. The sub-frame member includes a sub-outer wall extending along the second side, sub-holding units formed on the sub-outer wall to hold the solar cell panel from the second-side side, and a cylindrical part formed to include the sub-outer wall, extending along the second side on the back surface side of the solar cell panel.