Method of installation of a PV array with planar PV modules of square/rectangular configuration, each module defining square/rectangular edge and comprising a pair of parallel end and side edges, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby in the closed condition, the modules are stacked together on a movable carriage on which the modules can be transported, the modules comprising a leading module, a trailing module and two or more intermediate modules, and in the open condition, the modules are laterally displaced from the closed condition about the end edge connections to collect electromagnetic radiation, the method including securing the leading module and moving the carriage relative to the leading module so that the carriage moves away from the leading module, allowing the PV array to unfold from the carriage.

A portable PV module array, the modules being connected along adjacent end edges and being foldable relative to each other about the connected end edges between a closed condition and an open condition, whereby: in the closed condition, the PV modules are stacked together in a generally parallel and close facing relationship with the edges of the PV modules in general alignment, and in the open condition, the PV modules are disposed at an angle to each other so that the PV module array defines triangular configuration, and foldable movement of the PV modules from the closed condition to the open condition being restricted against movement beyond the open condition by a flexible connector that connects with a connection point associated with each of the PV modules of the PV module array and that is tensioned in the open condition and that is slack in the closed condition.

In embodiments, a mechanical solar tracker disclosed herein includes a frame, an elevation cam with an elevation cam surface attached to the frame, and a rotation drive mechanically coupled to the frame. A collector carriage is coupled to the rotation drive and configured to rotate circumferentially around a vertical axis. Also, a collector is connected to the collector carriage and a hinge is coupled between the collector and the collector carriage wherein the hinge is configured to rotate the collector about a horizontal plane at a pivot point. Additionally, a cam follower is coupled between the collector and the elevation cam and the cam follower is configured to translate, based on a surface input from the elevation cam surface, rotation of the collector about the pivot point to track the sun's direction, by tracing the elevation cam surface with the cam follower.

The invention relates to an innovative, highly productive, modular construction, integrated tilting, fully automatic, location specific and economically viable Integrated Tilting Solar Tracker (ITST) apparatus with unique integrated tilting arrangement for tilting the solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels simultaneously in the East-West and North-South directions in an integrated manner, in order to maintain the surface of the solar cells affixed over the solar photovoltaic panels, receive the sun's light rays perpendicularly during most period of the day time (sunny time) of a day and every day in a year, matching the dynamic and varying 3-dimensional movements of the sun with respect to the location of the Integrated Tilting Solar Tracker (ITST) on earth, to generate maximum solar energy resulting in the highest productivity.

A coupling system for use with a solar tracker includes a support flange, a swivel flange rotatably supported on the support flange, an articulation joint interposed between each of the support flange and the swivel flange and rotatably supported by each of the support flange and the swivel flange, wherein opposed first and second end portions of the articulation joint are configured to be operably coupled to a respective first and second torque tube, and at least one locking fastener selectively coupled to a portion of the support flange and a portion of the swivel flange, the at least one locking fastener configured to selectively inhibit rotation of the swivel flange relative to the support flange.

Disclosed is an apparatus for a solar power generator as it relates to a portable and expandable solar power generator that can form a micro-grid power system comprising any elements described, either individually or in combination with any other elements, in any order.

Tracking systems for adjusting a photovoltaic array are disclosed. In some embodiments, the tracking system includes an actuator that moves one or more links to cause the array to rotate. The tracking system may be disposed below a torque rail of the tracking system. The actuator may be a slew drive that retracts or extends the one or more links to cause the array to rotate.

A growth chamber for improving growing conditions of a growing plant which include a growing grape vine, grape vine replant or other agricultural crop plant. The growth chamber includes a solar concentrator for collecting and concentrating solar energy, a light transmitter in optical communication with the solar concentrator, for directing the collected solar energy toward the growing plant, an inner wall comprising a perimeter positioned between the solar concentrator and the growing grape vine or grape vine replant, the inner wall further comprising a reflective inner surface for directing collected solar energy toward the growing plant, and a protective inner surface configured for placement around the growing plant, the protective inner surface defining a protected zone surrounding the growing plant, the protective inner surface extending downward from the light transmitter and comprising a rigid outer wall for protecting the protected zone from one or more growth limiting factors selected from the group consisting of: wind damage; heat damage; cold damage; frost damage; herbicide damage; and animal damage; and/or for reducing evapo-transpiration by growing plant positioned in the protected zone.

A drone landing system includes a solar collector to charge the drone at a landing cite of the drone landing system. The solar collector may include a solar collector mounting assembly, preferably comprises a bi-facial solar active component mounted with its solar active face(s) orthogonal to the ground/horizon, at or near its perimeter frame.

A Silver Lining solar transfer module incorporates roof solar photovoltaic cells in a cased layer sandwiched between two water-handling layers. The bottom waste heat layer contains heat transfer pipes tuned for absorbing heat from the bottom of the photovoltaic layer and to dissipate heat into cool water pumped through the transfer pipes from ground level. The top cascade layer uses a casing transparent to solar radiation at the wavelengths used by the solar photovoltaic cells and containing a cascade of relatively cool water pumped from ground level, absorbing heat from the photovoltaic layer. The Silver Lining module is installed with a vertical slant, so that water is gravity fed from the top edge to the bottom edge in the waste heat layer and cascade layer. Fire sprinklers are incorporated into the plumbing of a system of Silver Lining solar transfer modules and provide protection to the roof in fire emergencies.