A solar tracking system for tracking the orientation of solar energy is disclosed. The solar tracking system may be integrated with solar cells and solar concentrators. The solar tracking system may have a first (22) and second (24) tracker module array that are opposite from another, aligned in substantially identical orientation, and form a tracker module pair array (1000). Tracker module pairs (12, 14; 12, 144) may allow motion relative to one another while maintaining substantially identical orientation. Solar concentrators may be attached to opposing tracker modules of a tracker module pair forming an array of solar concentrators. A base bar array (28) may be coupled to at least one tracker module pair. A transmission may operably rotate the base bar array and the tracker module pair array simultaneously.

A carrier apparatus for solar modules has a post, a crossmember profile mounted on the post, a C-profile module carrier with two profile flanges and a profile crosspiece connecting the two flanges and, in the profile crosspiece, a drilled hole for accommodating fastening means, and a connecting adapter, with a central crosspiece with a drilled hole and two legs arranged opposite one another in each case laterally on the central crosspiece and each has a main body in the form of a right-angled triangle, with the first cathetus fastened on the central crosspiece and on the second cathetus of which the main body opens out into a connecting extension with a drilled hole for accommodating fastening means, the connecting adapter fastenable on the crossmember profile via the connecting extension drilled hole, and fastenable on the C-profile module carrier via the central crosspiece drilled hole.

The system captures and concentrates sunlight for transmission to interior spaces or to a PV system. A solar collector uses arrayed refractive lenses, opposing concave focusing mirrors, and a movable coupling sheet forming part of a lightguide. The lenses and mirrors have an asymmetric shape, such as having aspect ratios of 3:4 or 1:2, so as to have an asymmetric aperture to better receive light at the different ranges of angles of the sun's rays over the course of a year. The long axis of the apertures is generally oriented in an East-West. The movable sheet contains small angled mirrors, and the sheet is translated to position the angled mirrors at the focal points of the sunlight for maximum deflection of the sunlight to an output of the collection system. A position sensor provides feedback regarding the position of the angled mirrors relative to the focal points.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

The present specification relates to a solar collector having Fresnel mirrors including a mounting for a set of mirrors made up of strips of mirrors referred to as primary mirrors, each pivoting about a respective axis of rotation referred to as the large axis relative to the mounting, and intended for collecting solar radiation and for concentrating said radiation toward one or more concentrating elements which can be mutually similar or different, carrying a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that the solar collator comprises a means for moving one or more concentrating elements such as to make the collector mobile relative to the mounting of the set of primary mirrors.

There is disclosed an Apparatus for unfolding a foldable collector module arrangement from a folded state to an unfolded state comprises a horizontal carrier (1, 2, 3), attachment means (17; 56), coupling means (13, 14; 60), and a pulling arrangement (4, 11; 50, 55). The attachment means (17; 56) releasably attaches hinged parts (22, 23, 24) of the module arrangement to the apparatus and are moveably arranged relative to the carrier. The coupling means (13, 14; 60) releasably couple collector modules (20, 21) of the collector module arrangement to the carrier. They are slideably arranged on the carrier. The pulling arrangement (4, 11; 50, 55) is attached to the attachment means (17; 56) and/or the coupling means (13, 14; 60) for moving the attachment means (17; 56) and/or the coupling means (13, 14; 60) relative to the carrier. When unfolding the collector module arrangement the pulling arrangement (4, 11; 50, 55) is activated for opening the hinged parts (22, 23, 24) of the collector module arrangement by movement of the attachment means (17; 56) and/or the coupling means (13, 14; 60).

A mobile solar power system provides electricity to various electronic devices needing a source of electricity in remote locations. The mobile solar power system may be transported in a compact form to a remote location by a trailer configured for securely transporting the mobile solar power system. Arrays for containing solar panels may be attached to the mobile solar power system. When a user is ready to deploy the solar panels of the various arrays, the arrays may be slid out from the mobile solar power system and/or unfolded from the mobile solar power system. After the arrays are deployed, the arrays including solar panels may be angled such that the solar panels may be exposed to solar energy which may be subsequently passed through to the various electronic devices needing a source of electricity.

The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) having Fresnel mirrors comprising a mounting for a set of mirrors made up of strips of mirrors (2) referred to as primary mirrors (2), each pivoting about a respective axis of rotation (5) referred to as the large axis (5) relative to the mounting, and intended for collecting solar radiation and for concentrating said radiation toward one or more concentrating elements (100) which can be mutually similar or different, carrying a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that the invention comprises a means (10, 20, 30) for moving one or more concentrating elements (100) such as to make the collector mobile relative to the mounting of the set of primary mirrors (2).

A mounting support (100) for at least one solar thermal collector (110a) includes a vertical support part (120) having a bottom end (122) and a top end (124). The bottom end is configured to be mounted into a ground or a mounting base. The support further including a horizontal support part (140) configured to support the at least one collector and to enable to slide the supported at least one collector along the horizontal support part for mounting the at least one collector.

A low cost thin-film based heliostat with advanced stowing and wind survival capabilities. The heliostat may include a plurality of reflective surfaces held together via a plurality of double acting magnetic hinges. The heliostat may also include a drive mechanism attached to a post, and configured to stow the plurality of facets in any desired position.