Plant for producing solar energy including a support structure formed from support poles aligned fixed to the ground, a movement system for receiving devices of solar energy positioned on poles arranged in a row, adapted for allowing the movement of the devices about a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to one another, a rotating main tube about the first axis, to which a plurality of secondary tubes is connected, associated with said main tube, the secondary tubes having the receiver devices fixed to them and a movement mechanism for the primary tubes, and a sustaining and movement support arranged on each pole of said row, which has a housing that receives the main tube of the movement system and that allows the rotation thereof about the axis.

This invention relates to photovoltaic (PV) systems with solar trackers. Retractable auxiliary panels are positioned at opposite sides of a solar panel along its tilt direction. The auxiliary panels do not obstruct the direct solar irradiation onto the solar panels, but rather redirect additional solar irradiation to the solar panels, including both direct beam and diffuse sunlight. While solar panels tilt to track the sun, configurations of the auxiliary panels can be adjusted to avoid shading on adjacent solar panels. Compared to conventional PV systems on solar trackers, the proposed PV system can significantly improve overall sunlight collection and PV system output throughout a day.

A rotating, pivoting mount for mounting a panel is disclosed. The mount can include a mounting block, a driveshaft, and a base. A socket in the mounting block can be mounted on a ball of the base to pivotally couple the panel to a structure. The ball can also include a cam profile, while the mounting block can include a complementary cam follower. As the mounting block rotates, therefore, the cam follower can follow a path set forth by the cam profile to tilt the mounting block about one axis as the mounting block rotates about a second axis. In this manner, the panel can be rotated and tilted—or moved about two axes—using a single motor. The use of a single motor can, in turn, reduce the cost and complexity of the system, while maintaining high efficiency for the panel (e.g., a solar panel) mounted thereon.

A method of determining pathogen inactivation may include performing an energy balance on a fluid heating system. Performing an energy balance may include calculating temperatures of a fluid at a plurality of locations as the fluid flows through the fluid heating system. The method of determining pathogen inactivation may also include receiving inactivation kinetic data regarding a pathogen present in the fluid and determining pathogen inactivation amounts based on exposure to the temperatures. Performing an energy balance may include receiving a plurality of input parameters relating to the fluid heating system. The plurality of input parameters may relate to a solar collection system and an associated fluid control system. The solar collection system may include a parabolic mirror and the fluid control system may include an elongated flow element arranged along a focal axis of the parabolic mirror.

A photovoltaic array includes a two-dimensional array of photovoltaic cells having a plurality of rows, each row having a pivot axis parallel to the row. Each cell has a lens which has a front surface configured to concentrate light normal to the front surface onto the photovoltaic element. The photovoltaic array further includes a rotational actuator, coupled to the array of photovoltaic cells configured to rotate the array of photovoltaic cells about an axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the array of photovoltaic elements and a tilt actuator, coupled to each of the rows of photovoltaic elements configured to pivot the rows of photovoltaic elements about their pivot axes.

Tracking modules are effectively provided that can be arranged as systems for positioning devices, such as reflectors. A preferred reflector is small and light in comparison to prior art reflectors so that components can be utilized within reflector construction and support structure that are sufficiently stiff to accurately hold a reflector in place under expected operational drive-torque, gravity and wind loads. At the same time, a single person can install a reflector, easily overcoming a retention mechanism spring force so as to positively engage a reflector in position. This is achieved without the need for any tools, through a combination of a retention mechanism and a spring feature design. Arrangements of tracking modules are included for easier manufacture, transport of systems and installment.

An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.

The invention is directed to a solar tracking apparatus that with permanent adjustment for latitude and pre-operation seasonal adjustment, when aimed at the Sun, will with rotation alone, track the Sun. The apparatus defines a permanently polar axis aligned shaft which rotates by the force of a weighted hydraulic timed drive continuously or intermittently at a rate simulating the apparent approximate fifteen degree per hour movement of the Sun across the sky. A two-ended carriage is fitted with a Fresnel lens or other solar concentrating or collecting element on one end and a targeted receiver is fitted to the other end. The carriage is adjustably mounted to about twenty three degrees either side of perpendicular to the polar aligned shaft thus focusing and concentrating the solar radiation on a receiving device, which stores the solar energy in the form of heat.

A modular two axis solar tracking system contemplates a first fixed base and a slidable/rotatable arm fixed to the first fixed base. The fixed base includes a primary linear actuator and a first movable element movable along a fixed axis. A second linear actuator is fixed at one end of the first movable element and an inverted J-shaped element is movable along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A second fixed base is disposed in an open area surrounded by an open area defined by a U-shaped lower portion of the inverted J-shaped element. A slidable rotatable arm includes a projection coupled to the inverted J-shaped element that together with the first and second actuator move collection at the ends of the slidable/rotatable arm or arms to track the sun.

A hybrid steam power plant is disclosed using the steam generator as a sub-construction for a solar receiver.