A solar heat collector with high heat collection effect is provided. The solar heat collector includes a first heat collection pipe and a second heat collection pipe. The first heat collection pipe receives reflected light from a single-axial tracking solar type reflective mirror group to collect heat. The second heat collection pipe receives reflected light from the single-axial tracking solar type reflective mirror group and dual-axial tracking solar type reflective mirror groups to collect heat. The second heat collection pipe has an amount of heat collection per unit area larger than the first heat collection pipe. Therefore, compared with the use of only the first heat collection pipe, this ensures obtaining larger energy.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to provide a control system for the purpose of redirecting light from a source onto a target. The present invention appreciates that the diffraction pattern for light that is both diffracted and re-directed by a heliostat is a function of how the light redirecting element is aimed. This means that the aim of the light redirecting element can be precisely determined once the aim of the diffracted light is known. Advantageously, the characteristics of diffracted light indicative of how the diffracted light is aimed can be determined from locations outside the zone of concentrated illumination in which sensors are at undue risk. This, in turn, means that diffracted light characteristics can be detected at a safe location, and this information can then be used to help precisely aim the light redirecting element onto the desired target, such as a receiver in a CSP system. The aim of the diffracted light is thus an accurate proxy for the light beam to be aimed at the receiver.

A tracking system for a solar collector is disclosed. The tracking system includes at least two polarization cameras and a tracking controller configured to: determine orientations of maximal intensity of polarized light received from the at least one heliostat mirror; generate radial lines based on the orientation of maximal intensity of polarized light from the at least one heliostat mirror; determine a position of the sun based on an intersection of the radial lines; and re-orient the at least one heliostat mirror based on the determined position of the sun. In the preferred embodiment, the sun position may be determined based on radial lines corresponding to three or more cameras mounted around the receiver aperture.

The present invention provides a solar heat collecting device having good heat collection efficiency. A uniaxial solar-tracking reflective mirror group is arranged such that each longitudinal axis thereof faces the same direction. A first biaxial solar-tracking reflective mirror group and a second biaxial solar-tracking reflective mirror group are arranged lined up in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of uniaxial solar-tracking reflective mirrors. The uniaxial solar-tracking reflective mirror group is arranged so as to be sandwiched on both sides by the first biaxial solar-tracking reflective mirror group and the second biaxial solar-tracking reflective mirror group. Each mirror group sends solar heat received during uniaxial or biaxial tracking in accordance with the position of the sun, to a heat collecting device.

Provided are a heliostat calibration, device and a heliostat calibration method that can suppress time-change-dependent control error increases and can reduce calibration frequency. The present invention is provided with: an initial position information acquisition unit that acquires initial position information for a heliostat; a theoretical value calculating unit that calculates from the heliostat initial position information and sun position information a theoretical value that is related to the orientation of the heliostat; a deviation calculation unit that, using as input an actual measured value for the orientation of the heliostat, calculates the deviation between the theoretical value and the actual measured value at least two times a day; and a coordinate calibration unit that, when the deviation exceeds a threshold value, calibrates the coordinates of the heliostat such that the deviation is at or below the threshold value.

Broadband reflectors include a UV-reflective multilayer optical film and a VIS/IR-reflective layer. In various embodiments, the VIS/IR reflective layer may be a reflective metal layer or a multilayer optical film. Concentrated solar power systems and methods of harnessing solar energy using the broadband reflectors and optionally comprising a celestial tracking mechanism are also disclosed.

The invention relates to a solar power concentrator (CSP) formed by a series of long flat (Fresnel-type) mirrors oriented in a north-south direction, each mirror having a single east-west axis of rotation, tracking the height of the sun. Together the mirrors reflect the light throughout the day towards a single cylindrical-parabolic mirror which concentrates the solar radiation onto a small area close to the focal line of the parabola on which an absorber is located that heats fluids and/or generates electricity.

Methods, systems, and devices for choosing a point from a set of optimal solutions defined as the output of a problem in such a way that small perturbations to the input variables of the problem may reliably produce small changes to the output. Embodiments may determine the optimal point for concentrating solar thermal power plants utilizing heliostats, based on a linear function, one or more constraints, and a determined space of optimal solutions.

A novel method of concentrating solar energy using wave generators is disclosed. The systems and methods enable the collection of energy over large area at high efficiencies and the concentrating of energy at a target for use and transfer.

A device is disclosed for the storage and transfer of solar thermal energy which includes a casing having a irradiation opening for the entry of incident solar radiation in a irradiation region of the casing. a bed of fluidizable solid particles received within the casing, and a plurality of reflecting and radiating surfaces arranged within the irradiation region and configured to convey the solar radiation entering through the irradiation opening, after multiple reflections, on the bed of particles.