Systems and methods are described herein that may be used to form a heliostat. Various reflective surfaces and support structures are described that permit lightweight construction of configurable heliostats.

A solar module mounting bracket assembly includes a rail configured to support a solar module thereon, and a pair of braces. The braces each have a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The braces are movable relative to the rail between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the braces cooperatively define a channel dimensioned for receipt of a frame member.

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.

A fastening staple adapted for fastening of a photovoltaic framework against a front face of a support wall comprises a bearing head and a counter-support foot constituting a jaw likely to transversely receive both a segment of the support wall and a segment of the photovoltaic framework. The counter-support foot comprises at least one bearing lateral flange positioned longitudinally so as to bear longitudinally against a rear face of the support wall when the photovoltaic framework and the support wall are transversely engaged in the jaw. The bearing head comprises at least one hooking element adapted to hook the photovoltaic framework in order to transversely immobilize the photovoltaic framework in the jaw. The bearing head and/or the counter-support foot comprises at least one mechanical tensioning flange where an elastic deformation and/or a displacement thereof, resulting from the action of transverse engagement of the photovoltaic framework segment and of the support wall segment in the determined interval between the bearing head and the counter-support foot, enables the bearing head and the counter-support foot to exert a longitudinal tightening of the photovoltaic framework and of the support wall in the jaw.

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.

Provided is a device for supporting solar modules, including a base rail having a first receiving opening, a support, the support having a first connecting element which is arranged in the first receiving opening, and a securing rail which is arranged on the base rail so as to at least partially encompass the base rail and is movable along the base rail. The securing rail at least partially closes the first receiving opening in a second position so that a movement of the first connecting element out of the first receiving opening is prevented. The securing rail unblocks the first receiving opening in the first position in such a way that a movement of the first connecting element out of the first receiving opening is made possible. Furthermore, a kit, a method for manufacturing a device, and a solar module arrangement are provided.

A fastening staple adapted for fastening of a photovoltaic framework against a front face of a support wall comprises a bearing head and a counter-support foot constituting a jaw likely to transversely receive both a segment of the support wall and a segment of the photovoltaic framework. The counter-support foot comprises at least one bearing lateral flange positioned longitudinally so as to bear longitudinally against a rear face of the support wall when the photovoltaic framework and the support wall are transversely engaged in the jaw. The bearing head comprises at least one hooking element adapted to hook the photovoltaic framework in order to transversely immobilize the photovoltaic framework in the jaw. The bearing head and/or the counter-support foot comprises at least one mechanical tensioning flange where an elastic deformation and/or a displacement thereof, resulting from the action of transverse engagement of the photovoltaic framework segment and of the support wall segment in the determined interval between the bearing head and the counter-support foot, enables the bearing head and the counter-support foot to exert a longitudinal tightening of the photovoltaic framework and of the support wall in the jaw.

Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.

Mounting clamps may be utilized to quickly and easily secure solar panel modules relative to mounting rails, which may in turn be secured relative to a mounting surface (e.g., a roof). The mounting clamps may be configured to quickly secure the solar pane modules relative to the mounting rails by tightening a tightening element to pull a clamp element toward the surface of a mounting rail, thereby clamping a portion (e.g., a frame) of a solar panel module between the clamping element and an outer surface of the mounting rail.

A module bracket includes first and second mounting clips (202, 204) that are spaced from each other along the pitch of a roofing surface. An inlet (212) to the first mounting clip (202) faces or projects in the general direction that the second mounting clip (204) is spaced from the first mounting clip (202). An inlet (212) to the second mounting clip (204) faces or projects in the general direction that the first mounting clip (202) is spaced from the second mounting clip (204). A second module flange (134) of a first photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the first mounting clip (202) of the module bracket. A first module flange (128) of a second photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the second mounting clip (204) of this same module bracket.