Disclosed is a vertical solar apparatus, comprising a vertical light guide device (110) and a light energy utilization device (120), wherein the vertical light guide device (110) comprises at least one Fresnel lens (111, 112) arranged substantially vertically; and the light energy utilization device has a second light receiving surface (Fa2) substantially laid out flat. The light guide device is used for deflecting sunlight, such that the sunlight is at least partially guided to the second light receiving surface (Fa2). The solar apparatus can be adapted in order to be mounted in a long and narrow zone, and a vertical structure thereof enables the solar apparatus to easily engage with an elevation of a building, thereby saving on an additional occupied area.

An apparatus for transferring force to a frame of a solar mirror array. The frame has at least one structural element. The apparatus includes a torque plate. The apparatus includes at least one node attached to and in contact with the plate which connects with the structural element. An apparatus for attaching a primary solar mirror frame array with a secondary mirror frame array. A solar trough frame for holding solar mirrors.

A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry. The bearing assembly also comprises a bearing collar comprising a collar base and a collar mount, wherein the collar base includes an inner surface configured to circumscribe and slidingly engage the outer surface of the bearing wheel, wherein the collar mount projects radially out from collar base to a distal mount end, and wherein a plurality of mounting apertures at the distal mount end extend axially through the collar mount, and the mounting apertures are configured to respectively receive fasteners for securing the collar mount to a stationary structural member.

Described herein are improved solar tracker systems having variable profiles and related operating methods thereof. Solar-tracking PV systems with variable twisted or aerodynamic profiles offer several advantages including improved wind stability, improved shading characteristics and/or capability to correct system component misalignment. In an embodiment, motor drives (and locking devices if present) of a PV system can be driven against each other to cause a desirable twisted or aerodynamic profile of a torque tube and associated PV modules mounted on the torque tube. The desired twisted or aerodynamic profiles can range from a substantially flat horizontal plate to a twisted helix-like profile and combinations thereof so as to establish improved wind and/or shading characteristics. Advantages can also include a reduction in structural materials, increased structural strength, increased solar energy yield or a combination thereof.

A distributed torque, single axis solar tracking system includes a plurality of spaced apart mounting posts with selected posts having an electrically controlled actuator mounted thereon. A torque structure extends between the actuators to distribute rotational torque on the torque structure. A plurality of solar panels is connected to the torque structure. Electrical apparatus is coupled to each actuator and designed to be coupled to a power source so that when the electrical apparatus is coupled to the power source, the plurality of actuators is energized to rotate simultaneously a desired amount. Whereby the plurality of solar panels is rotated the desired amount as the plurality of actuators rotates.

A mechanical solar tracking and solar concentrating system having a Fresnel lens, moveable frame, track, retaining mechanism, and solar collector. The lens focuses solar energy at the collector; the frame holds the collector and lens, keeping them aligned as the frame rotates; and the track guides the frame to maintain a perpendicular orientation to the Sun. The solar collector receives the Sun's rays and the retaining mechanism releases, at established intervals, allowing the frame to rotate to the next location. The cycle repeats, tracking the Sun and concentrating its rays at a focal point, to generate temperatures at the focal point in excess of 500 C. These high temperatures can be exploited in several applications, such as producing drinking water from dirty water; cooking food; disinfecting medical instruments; accelerating fermentation of certain types of flora to produce electricity; generating work for generic purposes; etc.

A combination of multiple cycle solar generator, heat exchanger, dew harvesting and bi-directional heat processing apparatus. Solar energy is collected by a hemispherical, square or other shaped collectors. Current invention converts solar energy in multiple cycles, extracting solar energy through Photo Voltaic cells, making electricity. Focused energy produces heat that is also extracted though Heat Exchangers, combined with Thermo Electric Modules, creating electricity or surplus heat for heating, storage or cooling. Current invention further utilizes large radiator plates in the back of dish along with entire metal assembly for dew harvesting at night or when Thermo Electric modules within heat exchangers energized by stored electricity or power grid. Current invention also operates in reverse for absorbing heat from the atmosphere, water, dirt, ice or snow and diverts the piped heat to desired location.

Solar-operated adjustment device for a solar installation including, at least one retaining element for fixing at least one solar element, a swivel device which is designed and intended to swivel the retaining element around a support point, wherein the swivel device includes at least one liquid tank, wherein a float of the retaining element is arranged at least in part beneath a filling level of the liquid tank and the float is supported on a perimeter of the liquid tank, and the retaining element can only be swiveled around a support point with respect to a longitudinal axis of the liquid tank by means of its buoyancy and is mounted above the filling level, at least indirectly on the edge of the liquid tank.

A driveline joint may include a driveline shaft that has a plurality of slots and a shaft coupling positioned in an interior of the driveline shaft in which the shaft coupling includes one or more openings with each of the openings corresponding to one or more respective slots of the plurality of slots included in the driveline shaft. The driveline joint may include one or more spherical bearings that are each positioned between an interior lateral surface of the driveline shaft and an exterior lateral surface of the shaft coupling and against one of the openings of the shaft coupling. The driveline joint may include one or more fasteners, wherein each of the fasteners extends through one of the slots and one of the openings of the shaft coupling.

A solar tracking system comprising a platform, a system housing, at least one solar panel, at least one motor, and a cable. The at least one solar panel is attached to the platform and configured to generate electricity from photons. The platform further comprises a sensor device configured to gather information relating to light and temperature. The at least one motor connects to the platform by the cable and is configured to rotate the platform. The at least one motor may also be connected to an actuator on the at least one solar panel and may be configured to adjust the tilt of the at least one solar panel. The system housing comprises a processor communicatively connected to the sensor device and the at least one motor. The processor is configured to activate the at least one motor based on information gathered by the sensor device.