The present invention relates to an automatic motion system by dilatation of a fluid, said system acting on elements of a compact solar collector with integrated storage tank, said solar collector having least a face exposed to the solar radiation and at least another face not facing the solar radiation, said solar collector comprising a plurality of primary tubes, for containing at least one primary heat carrier element adapted to the storage of thermal energy, and an external collector element arranged movable with respect to each primary conduit, adapted to overlap, at least partially, during its motion, in each primary conduit.

The present invention relates to an automatic motion system by dilatation of a fluid, said system acting on elements of a compact solar collector with integrated storage tank, said solar collector having least a face exposed to the solar radiation and at least another face not facing the solar radiation, said solar collector comprising a plurality of primary tubes, for containing at least one primary heat carrier element adapted to the storage of thermal energy, and an external collector element arranged movable with respect to each primary conduit, adapted to overlap, at least partially, during its motion, in each primary conduit.

A solar tracker includes a rotatable portion including a plurality of solar modules, at least a portion of each of the modules being arranged in a row and electrically coupled to each other in series to define at least one string. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and configured to supply torque to the rotatable portion for rotating the rotatable portion about an axis. At least one electrical characteristic sensor and at least one controller are in operative communication with the motor and with the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. The at least one controller is configured to instruct the motor to supply torque to the rotatable portion in response to one or more signals received by the at least one controller from the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. A method of operating a solar tracking system is also disclosed.

A solar tracker includes a rotatable portion including a plurality of solar modules, at least a portion of each of the modules being arranged in a row and electrically coupled to each other in series to define at least one string. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and configured to supply torque to the rotatable portion for rotating the rotatable portion about an axis. At least one electrical characteristic sensor and at least one controller are in operative communication with the motor and with the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. The at least one controller is configured to instruct the motor to supply torque to the rotatable portion in response to one or more signals received by the at least one controller from the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. A method of operating a solar tracking system is also disclosed.

Sensor arrangement for tracking a solar collector assembly, the sensor arrangement comprising a housing; said housing comprising an inclination sensor and a camera; said sensor arrangement comprising a shadow receiver; said shadow receiver being arranged and adapted to receive the full shadow of a solar system's receiver tube; wherein the camera and the shadow receiver are arranged such that the camera may sense the full width of the receiver tube's shadow on the shadow receiver.

Sensor arrangement for tracking a solar collector assembly, the sensor arrangement comprising a housing; said housing comprising an inclination sensor and a camera; said sensor arrangement comprising a shadow receiver; said shadow receiver being arranged and adapted to receive the full shadow of a solar system's receiver tube; wherein the camera and the shadow receiver are arranged such that the camera may sense the full width of the receiver tube's shadow on the shadow receiver.

A solar tracking system comprises multiple solar panel modules forming a grid of solar panel modules, wherein the multiple solar panel modules are movable relative to a solar source independently of each other; and a control system configured to orient each of the multiple solar panel modules to the solar source independently of each other based on a performance model to optimize an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules, wherein the performance model predicts an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules based on a topography of the area containing the grid of solar panel modules and weather conditions local to each of the solar panel modules.

The present invention relates to an automatic motion system by dilatation of a fluid, said system acting on elements of a compact solar collector with integrated storage tank, said solar collector having least a face exposed to the solar radiation and at least another face not facing the solar radiation, said solar collector comprising a plurality of primary tubes, for containing at least one primary heat carrier element adapted to the storage of thermal energy, and an external collector element arranged movable with respect to each primary conduit, adapted to overlap, at least partially, during its motion, in each primary conduit.

The present invention relates to an automatic motion system by dilatation of a fluid, said system acting on elements of a compact solar collector with integrated storage tank, said solar collector having least a face exposed to the solar radiation and at least another face not facing the solar radiation, said solar collector comprising a plurality of primary tubes, for containing at least one primary heat carrier element adapted to the storage of thermal energy, and an external collector element arranged movable with respect to each primary conduit, adapted to overlap, at least partially, during its motion, in each primary conduit.

An example light concentrator system for precision thermal processes includes a stabilizing base and a structure attached to the stabilizing base. The structure includes support arms. An azimuth control rotates the structure. A primary solar collector on the support arms is rotatable about two axes based on various positions of the sun throughout the day. Elevation actuators adjust an angle of the primary solar collector relative to position of the sun. Collector distancing actuators adjust distance of the primary solar collector toward and away from the sun. A variety of Thermal Processing Units (TPUs) are configured for a specific process or set of processes implementing concentrated solar energy from the primary solar collector at the receiver plane. Position of the spot can be moved on a fixed receiver plane through translation of the lens relative to the support arms or through rotation of a redirecting mirror.