The present specification relates to a solar collector having Fresnel mirrors including a mounting for a set of mirrors made up of strips of mirrors referred to as primary mirrors, each pivoting about a respective axis of rotation referred to as the large axis relative to the mounting, and intended for collecting solar radiation and for concentrating said radiation toward one or more concentrating elements which can be mutually similar or different, carrying a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that the solar collator comprises a means for moving one or more concentrating elements such as to make the collector mobile relative to the mounting of the set of primary mirrors.

Systems and methods are provided for rotatably mounting and locking solar (e.g., photovoltaic) panels. For example, the solar panels can be mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis so as to track the sun over the course of the day, and can be locked in a suitable position during high-wind conditions. A drive mechanism includes a drive shaft, pinion gear coupled to the drive shaft, and arc gear coupled to a solar panel, and a locking mechanism includes a lock plate coupled to the arc gear and including a reaction surface. The pinion gear includes a bearing surface. When the drive shaft rotates a first amount, engagement between pinion gear teeth and arc gear teeth rotates the arc gear. When the drive shaft rotates a second amount, the arc gear rotates to a stow position where the reaction surface bears against the bearing surface, locking the arc gear.

A rotation locking device for use in a row-level sun tracking solar energy collection system includes a housing, a first locking member, a second locking member, and an actuator. The housing is configured to be mounted to a pile and configured to permit a torque tube to extend through the housing. The first locking member has a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections attached to and rotatable with the torque tube. The second locking member is connected to the housing and has a plurality of meeting elements for engaging projections of the first locking member. The actuator is configured to relatively move the first and second locking members between an unlocked position in which the mating elements are disengaged from the projections and a locked position in which the mating elements are engaged with the projections to inhibit rotation of the torque tube with respect to the housing.

The present invention solar tracker system is directed to a solar tracker that includes a main platform capable of supporting a plurality of solar panels, a sub-platform, one or more support poles supporting the sub-platform and a linking mechanism that connects the sub-frame to the apex of the one or more supporting poles, wherein the linking mechanism rotates in a first axis, a second linking mechanism rotates in a second axis. The mail planar platform hosting the solar panels is encompassed with edge disrupters and spacing channels for adverse wind condition management. The system includes a solar tracker system includes a radiation sensor for determining the best tracking position for maximizing capture of solar energy. The large scale solar tracker system also includes at least two linear hydraulic actuators, each linear hydraulic actuator containing a distal end and proximal end, a rotational joint that connects the distal end of the linear actuators to the sub-platform and the proximal end to the support beam. The second embodiment of the present invention is a plurality of solar tracker apparatus specifically arranged into a large utility scale field system.

The present invention relates to a solar collector (1) having Fresnel mirrors comprising a mounting for a set of mirrors made up of strips of mirrors (2) referred to as primary mirrors (2), each pivoting about a respective axis of rotation (5) referred to as the large axis (5) relative to the mounting, and intended for collecting solar radiation and for concentrating said radiation toward one or more concentrating elements (100) which can be mutually similar or different, carrying a heat-transfer fluid, characterized in that the invention comprises a means (10, 20, 30) for moving one or more concentrating elements (100) such as to make the collector mobile relative to the mounting of the set of primary mirrors (2).

A structure and support member for photovoltaic arrays is provided. The member provides a structural connection between photovoltaic modules, wind deflectors and similar hardware. The invention provides an advantage of quick and easy installation of hardware components and associated parts, and meets the demand for a single device capable of combining solar energy associated hardware into photovoltaic arrays.

A foldable parabolic solar collector includes a first panel having a semi-parabolic reflective inner surface, a central tube to which the first panel is fixed, and a second panel having a semi-parabolic reflective inner surface. The second panel is pivotably mounted to the central tube with the reflective inner surface of the second panel facing the reflective inner surface of the first panel. A receiver tube carries a heat transfer fluid. A tracking motor rotates the central tube. A torque sensor lies in between the tracking motor and the central tube and is configured to measure torque between the tracking motor and the central tube. A servomotor pivots the second panel about the central tube between an open position and a closed position when it is determined by a controller that the torque between the tracking motor and the central tube exceeds a predetermined torque threshold.

A non-drive dynamic stabilizer includes a damper and an actuator. The dynamic stabilizer provides multiple states of support to a solar tracker structure. These states may include 1) flexible movement and/or damping during normal operation (i.e. tracking) and/or 2) rigid or locked, whereby the dynamic stabilizer acts as a restraint. The dynamic stabilizer is actuated by a control system according to the real-time demands on the structure. Sensors to provide input to the control system may include wind speed sensors, wind direction sensors, snow sensors, vibration sensors and/or displacement sensors.

A low cost thin-film based heliostat with advanced stowing and wind survival capabilities. The heliostat may include a plurality of reflective surfaces held together via a plurality of double acting magnetic hinges. The heliostat may also include a drive mechanism attached to a post, and configured to stow the plurality of facets in any desired position.

An A-Frame solar panel array system is configured to produce a high amount of electrical power for a given amount of ground space with a plurality of solar panels on both a forward beam and a plurality of solar panels on a trailing beam in an elevated position above the ground. This elevated positioning enables more solar panels to be configured over a given amount of ground area. The solar panels are spaced along the trailing and forward beams with a vertical offset between the trailing and forward beams to enable sunlight to pass therethrough to enable exposure to sunlight, through the forward beam array of solar panels onto the trailing beam array of solar panels. A solar panel actuator is configured to rotate the solar panels for increasing solar panel exposure throughout the year. The solar panels may only be configured to rotate trailing/forward.