An external solar receiver, for a concentrating thermodynamic solar power plant of the type with a tower and heliostat field, has a wind tight modular inner structure, also called “casing,” and a plurality of heat exchanger tube receiver panels fastened to that inner structure. Each panel has a plurality of metal boxes supporting the heat exchanger tubes and assembled to one another by assembly means allowing the disassembly, each box being covered with thermal insulation via an anchor. The tubes are secured to the boxes by a removable and floating connector.

A non-drive dynamic stabilizer includes a damper and an actuator. The dynamic stabilizer provides multiple states of support to a solar tracker structure. These states may include 1) flexible movement and/or damping during normal operation (i.e. tracking) and/or 2) rigid or locked, whereby the dynamic stabilizer acts as a restraint. The dynamic stabilizer is actuated by a control system according to the real-time demands on the structure. Sensors to provide input to the control system may include wind speed sensors, wind direction sensors, snow sensors, vibration sensors and/or displacement sensors.

A receiver system for a Fresnel solar plant is provided that includes an absorber tube defining a longitudinal direction, a mirror array that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction and is used for concentrating light beams onto the absorber tube, and a support frame for the absorber tube and the mirror array. A first suspension for holding the absorber tube and a second suspension for holding the mirror array or at least parts of the mirror array are independently mounted on the support frame. The first suspension has first compensation device while the second suspension has second compensation device. The first and second compensation devices allow for different expansions of the absorber tube and the mirror array or at least parts of the mirror array in the longitudinal direction.

In an embodiment, a solar energy system includes multiple photovoltaic modules, each oriented substantially at a same angle relative to horizontal. The angle is independent of a latitude of an installation site of the solar energy system and is greater than or equal to 15 degrees. The solar energy system defines a continuous area within a perimeter of the solar energy system. The solar energy system is configured to capture at the photovoltaic modules substantially all light incoming towards the continuous area over an entire season.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured (mounted) to the pivoting apparatus for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprising an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

A concentrating solar collector module includes improvements in performance and assemblability. In one configuration, the module includes a reflector having a reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming solar radiation onto a focal line, first and second rails, one rail attached to each edge of the reflector, and a set of truss connectors attached to the rails. The truss connectors and rails may form ways that enable constrained sliding engagement of the truss connectors along the rails before attachment of the truss connectors to the rails. The module may also include a plurality of framing members connected to the truss connectors and forming a structural lattice that cooperates with the reflector to lend rigidity to the solar collector module. At least some of the framing members may be disposed in front of the front reflective surface.

A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

A solar heat exchanger for heating water which includes an array of tubes, an injection molded manifold there being connections between each tube in the array and the manifold which are over molded to seal the tubes to the manifold.

The element on which solar radiation is concentrated, specifically, a vacuum tube, remain static at all times with respect to the movements that a parabolic reflective surface may make according to the direction of solar radiation, such that inlet and outlet pipes of the vacuum tube do not need to be articulated, which facilitates the installation and insulation thereof and reduces production costs. The parabolic reflective surface can pivot 360° with respect to the vacuum tube without interfering with the pipes, allowing an active safety system for protecting against strong winds and preventing overheating to be produced, in addition to allowing the surfaces to be cleaned by means of nozzles spray pressurized water. The collector also includes passive safety means against strong winds.

An absorber system solves problems of known absorber systems for use in solar fields in that the absorber tube is suspended on a rail below an absorber cover. The design also makes it possible to move measuring and cleaning robots and the like along the absorber tube more and allows the absorber tube and the secondary reflector to be jointly suspended, whereby an exact mutual alignment between the two components is enabled.