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.

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.

In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.

A mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a support surface, such as a low-sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The mounting system includes a plurality of telescoping tubular members configured to support photovoltaic modules on a support surface, and configured to be adjustably attached to one another so as to accommodate undulations and uneven regions of the support surface, and at least one of the plurality of telescoping tubular members comprising an arched portion so as to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. In another embodiment, a plurality of strut members are used to support the modules. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of support members adjustably support one or more photovoltaic modules on a support surface so that the one or more photovoltaic modules are capable of passively tilting in response to external forces acting thereon and/or a heat source, such as the sun, acting thereon.

A mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a support surface, such as a low-sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The mounting system includes a plurality of telescoping tubular members configured to support photovoltaic modules on a support surface, and configured to be adjustably attached to one another so as to accommodate undulations and uneven regions of the support surface, and at least one of the plurality of telescoping tubular members comprising an arched portion so as to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. In another embodiment, a plurality of strut members are used to support the modules. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of support members adjustably support one or more photovoltaic modules on a support surface so that the one or more photovoltaic modules are capable of passively tilting in response to external forces acting thereon and/or a heat source, such as the sun, acting thereon.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a tracker control unit and, therefore, the tracker device of a solar module of a solar power plant, wherein the tracker device comprises a control unit, an actuator element and a support means for supporting the solar module, comprising the steps of detecting a particular event, interrupting power supply to the control unit of the tracker device for a predetermined time period in reaction to the detection of the particular event, resuming power supply after the predetermined time period and in reaction to the resumed power supply actuating the support means by the actuator element to move the support means into a predetermined position.

In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.

A solar heat collector includes a heat collecting tube that includes a heating-medium circulating tube through which a heating medium circulates; a glass tube that covers an outer peripheral surface of the heating-medium circulating tube and forms an annular space between the glass tube and the heating-medium circulating tube; a flange disposed on the heating-medium circulating tube; a thermal-expansion-difference absorbing member that is disposed between the flange and the glass tube and absorbs a thermal-expansion difference between the heating-medium circulating tube and the glass tube; a getter member that adsorbs a gas that exists within the annular space; and a getter holding portion that accommodates and holds the getter member. The getter holding portion includes: a first accommodating member; and a second accommodating member that is aligned with the first accommodating member side by side in an axial direction or a radial direction of the heat collecting tube.

A solar heat collector includes a heat collecting tube that includes a heating-medium circulating tube through which a heating medium circulates; a glass tube that covers an outer peripheral surface of the heating-medium circulating tube and forms an annular space between the glass tube and the heating-medium circulating tube; a flange disposed on the heating-medium circulating tube; a thermal-expansion-difference absorbing member that is disposed between the flange and the glass tube and absorbs a thermal-expansion difference between the heating-medium circulating tube and the glass tube; a getter member that adsorbs a gas that exists within the annular space; and a getter holding portion that accommodates and holds the getter member. The getter holding portion includes: a first accommodating member; and a second accommodating member that is aligned with the first accommodating member side by side in an axial direction or a radial direction of the heat collecting tube.

A reveal device usable with fixation mechanisms for a pair of panels that include a pair of strips that are held together by a third strip to form a reveal unit. The reveal unit may contain adhesive or other filler material as well as conduits usable in the electrical or plumbing arts.