A sun tracking plant growing system includes a body having a first face, a second face opposed to the first face and a peripheral connecting edge which is relatively small, as compared to the size of the first face and the second face. A mounting enables the body to pivot about a pivot axis. Plant supports, which receive plants, are supported by the body. A sun tracking mechanism is provided which senses or calculates the position of the sun and adjusts the orientation of the body about the pivot axis to maintain a selected portion of the peripheral connecting edge of the body facing the sun so as to provide desirable and naturally attenuated sunlight exposure according to plants' needs on both faces throughout a day. This system allows that multiple rows or single row of the plural bodies are arrayed closely together without creating shadows to each other.

Under one aspect, a system is provided for rotating photovoltaic modules arranged in a row. The system can include an elongated structural member extending along and parallel to the row; protrusions coupled to the elongated structural member; an actuator; and drive mechanisms coupled to the photovoltaic modules. Actuation of the actuator can move the elongated structural member, the movement of the elongated structural member can move the protrusions, the movement of the protrusions can move the drive mechanisms, and the movement of the drive mechanisms can rotate the photovoltaic modules.

A mechanical solar tracking and solar concentrating system having a Fresnel lens, moving 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; 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.

The invention is directed to a solar tracking apparatus containing a polar axis aligned shaft which rotates continuously or intermittently at a rate simulating the apparent approximate fifteen degree per hour movement of the sun across the sky. A Fresnel lens, photovoltaic panel, parabolic dish or other solar collection/concentration device is adjustably mounted to about twenty three degrees either side of perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and directly at the Sun, collecting, focusing or concentrating the solar radiation on a receiving device, which stores the solar energy in the form of heat, re-directs the light or converts the energy into electricity.

A method for fabricating a self-aligned via structure includes forming a tri-layer mask on an ILD layer over a lower metal wiring layer, the tri-layer mask includes first and second insulating layers and a metal layer in between the insulating layers; defining a trench pattern through the first insulating layer and metal layer, the trench pattern having a first width; defining a first via pattern in a lithographic mask over the trench pattern, the first via pattern having a second width that is larger than the first width; growing a metal capping layer on an exposed sidewall of the trench pattern to decrease the first width to a third width that defines a second via pattern; transferring the trench pattern into the ILD layer to form a trench; and transferring the second via pattern through the ILD layer and into the metal wiring layer to form a via.

Systems and methods for positioning solar energy collection devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated unit combines the necessity of solar panel repositioning with water filtration. While also providing clean water for the end user, the integrated unit uses controlled weight displacement to rotate a solar panel to follow the sun from east to westa process also known as horizontal (azimuth) solar tracking.

A mount for a solar panel capable of changing a tilt angle of the solar panel easily and positively, includes a tilted support frame including a pair of horizontal members extending along a horizontal direction in parallel with different heights and a pair of tilted members arranged between the horizontal members and extending in parallel to be tilted in one side, a fixed support member fixing and supporting the tilted support frame, a square-shaped panel support member on which a solar panel is fixed, a support shaft extending between the tilted support frame and the panel support member and supporting the panel support member to rotate, and a pair of stopper members respectively provided on both rotating end sides of the panel support member so that one end portions rotate freely and including engaging concave portions engaged with half circumferences of outer peripheries of the horizontal members.

The present invention relates to an improved solar energy concentrating system. The system comprises a dual axis sun tracking paraboloid dish collector on a polar mount, with a re-reflecting mirror in top of the paraboloid dish, which reflects the concentrated solar irradiation into an opening in the paraboloid dish into a light pipe and with a movable third mirror redirects the light into a second light pipe along the polar axis, which with a fourth fixed mirror, sends the concentrated solar irradiation into a third light pipe to the cavity receiver. The invention replaces the need of flexible connectors to accommodate the movement of the mirror, with a combination of mirrors and light pipes, transferring the solar irradiation to a cavity-receiver. Dual axis tracking systems can capture more solar energy, on a more constant basis throughout the day and the year, and by reflecting directly into the cavity-receiver, thermal losses are minimized.

A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam. The spring counter-balance assembly may include at least one coil spring and a rotational stop. The bushing may be made of an elastomeric material and define one or more air spaces.

A method for fabricating a self-aligned via structure includes forming a tri-layer mask on an ILD layer over a lower metal wiring layer, the tri-layer mask includes first and second insulating layers and a metal layer in between the insulating layers; defining a trench pattern through the first insulating layer and metal layer, the trench pattern having a first width; defining a first via pattern in a lithographic mask over the trench pattern, the first via pattern having a second width that is larger than the first width; growing a metal capping layer on an exposed sidewall of the trench pattern to decrease the first width to a third width that defines a second via pattern; transferring the trench pattern into the ILD layer to form a trench; and transferring the second via pattern through the ILD layer and into the metal wiring layer to form a via.