The present invention relates to the field of linear actuators, and in particular, to a high-efficiency high-thrust electric linear actuator for a solar panel. Compared with a conventional electric linear actuator, in the electric linear actuator for a solar panel of the present invention, a drive nut on a screw uses a copper alloy nut. The copper alloy nut used in the present invention greatly improves the strength, toughness, and fatigue-resistance performance and has high hardness and high tensile strength. The copper alloy nut and the corresponding screw are used in combination to bear higher pressure and do not fracture easily. Therefore, a small-structure high-thrust electric linear actuator can be realized. An electric linear actuator having a smaller volume is used to support the solar panel, so that small space is occupied, and transportation and use become more convenient.

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 system is described for tracking light energy, or solar energy, on at least one axis. The system may include a single PV module or a system or plurality of PV modules. The system may include a bearing system that may allow for single axis rotation of the PV while providing greater ease of rotation as well as greater reliability in the bearing system. The system may function with a single PV module, single motor and actuator. The system may also function with multiple rows of PV modules and provide for a greater number of PV modules with a single motor, single actuator and multiple torque tubes with multiple bearing systems.

A solar panel support apparatus comprising: a support frame for holding the solar panel; a support post pivotally connected to the support frame at a post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the supporting surface; and a linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection and at a distal end by a frame pivot connection with the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame; wherein a change in a length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection.

The present invention provides a horizontal single-axis tracking photovoltaic support with double-sided power generation, suitable for installing a double-sided PV module with a toward-sun light absorption surface and a backward-sun light absorption surface, including: an upright post and a torque tube disposed on the upright post, the torque tube capable of being rotated around the upright post under the action of a driving device, a plurality of groups of crossbeams are disposed along a lengthwise direction of the torque tube, and the double-sided PV module is disposed on each group of the crossbeams, a light-reflecting-panel support is disposed at the torque tube, and a light-reflecting panel is disposed on the light-reflecting-panel support. The light-reflecting panel reflects sunlight onto the backward-sun light absorption surface, and an angle between the plane where the light-reflecting panel is located and the plane where the double-sided PV module is located is an acute angle.

A solar tracker bearing and a solar tracker incorporating the bearing, the bearing including at least one rotatable part, the rotatable part including a notch for receiving a torque tube, a slot, formed in the rotatable part and extending below the notch, the slot defining an arc having multiple radii, at least one engagement member configured to be received in the slot, and at least one base configured to secure the engagement member in the slot and to secure the bearing to a pier.

A solar panel support apparatus comprising: a support frame for holding the solar panel; a support post pivotally connected to the support frame at a post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the supporting surface; and a linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection and at a distal end by a frame pivot connection with the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame; wherein a change in a length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection.

A solar tracker assembly comprises a support column, a torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torsion beam, and a torsion limiter connected to an output of the drive system. When an external force causes a level of torsion on the drive system to exceed a pre-set limit the torsion limiter facilitates rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly in the direction of the torsion, thereby allowing the external force to rotate about a pivot axis extending through the torsion beam. Exemplary embodiments also include methods of aligning a plurality of rows of solar trackers.

Solar tracking systems and methods that do not require external power are provided. The systems have a support surface for attachment to a solar collector device and a pivot member positioned therebeneath. One or more pistons are also positioned beneath the support surface to tilt the support surface around the pivot member when deployed. A reservoir is in fluid communication with each piston such that a pressure increase within the first reservoir automatically deploys the associated pistons, tilts the support surface about the pivot member, and thus positions the solar collector device to face the light source.

An actuator that includes a bottom plate, a top-plate, and a first and second hub assembly extending between the bottom and top plates. The actuator can further include a first and second bellows disposed on opposing sides of the hub assemblies, the first and second bellows each extending between and coupled to the top plate and bottom plate. The actuator can also include a plurality of washers disposed between the top and bottom plates, with each of the washers coupled to the first and second hub assembly, a first set of the plurality of washers surrounding the first bellows and a second set of the plurality of washers surrounding the second bellows.