A damper assembly for single-axis tracker supported by truss foundations. Truss leg damper brackets are attached to each truss leg and provide a fixed mounting point for the lower end of a damper spring. Different techniques may be used to effect mechanical engagement between the leg bracket and truss leg to prevent movement under load. Aligning each damper spring with a truss leg may eliminate moments that must ordinarily be resisted when damper springs are attached to a monopile foundation.

A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

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.

Azimuthal and elevation rotation mechanism for solar trackers, which provides an azimuthal rotation around a vertical pedestal to an azimuthal rotating support on which a support structure of solar panels is in turn mounted with elevation rotation capacity around a horizontal shaft linked to the azimuthal rotating support. The azimuthal rotation is obtained by means of a single azimuthal linear actuator and the elevation rotation is obtained by means of a single elevation linear actuator, such that only two linear actuators are needed to obtain all the positions of the solar panels required for a complete solar tracking.

The solar tracking arrangement enables a plurality of parallel arranged PTCs to be directed towards the travelling sun. The solar tracking arrangement comprises a drive means, a transmission means, and a plurality of conversion means. The transmission means are connected with the drive means and to each of the plurality of conversion means. The transmission means is configured to convey an operating movement caused by the drive means to the plurality of conversion means, and each of the conversion means is configured to convert the conveyed operating movement into a pivoting movement of a respective one of the plurality of PTCs about a focus line, such that each of the pivoting movements directs the respective PTC towards the travelling sun. One or more of the conversion means are adjustably connected with the transmission means in a direction along the transmission means.

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.

A fluidic solar actuation array, the fluidic solar actuation array comprising a plurality of separate actuator nodes disposed in a node line. The node line comprises a set of two or more actuator nodes and a pressure supply line that fluidically couples the set of two or more actuator nodes, with each of the two or more actuator nodes comprising a fluidic solar actuator that includes at least a first fluidic inflatable actuator.

A rotary actuator has a rotatable platform rotatably supported on a base. The rotatable platform has a friction surface. An actuator band is operated by a band clamp so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface. A motion actuator is coupled between the base and the actuator band such that change in length of the motion actuator causes corresponding movement of the actuator band. A brake band is operated by a brake band actuator so as to be selectively frictionally engageable with the friction surface, the brake band anchored to the base.

Solar tracking installation includes first movement assembly which functionally engages with the primary axis shaft to cause rotation of the primary axis shaft around the primary axis for moving the plurality of planar modules of solar collector elements in a first rotational direction around the primary axis. The installation further includes a second movement assembly which functionally engages with the secondary movement member to cause tilting of each of the plurality of planar modules of solar collector elements around each respective pivotal mount. In this way the movement of the multitude of solar collection elements is a combination of the rotation of first movement assembly and the tilting motion caused by the second movement assembly.

A rapidly deployed photovoltaic (PV) apparatus (2) providing a PV array (10) housed within an easily transportable standardized container. The PV array (10) is movable between a stowed position in a V-shape configuration and a fully deployed flat position. Dual function hydraulic cylinders are provided for movement of the array (10) in the fully deployed position and movement of the container when the array (10) is in the stowed position. Solar tracking of the array (10) is facilitated by linear compensation translators which are attachable to the hydraulic cylinders upon full deployment. A retractable roof structure is provided which allows trickle charging to occur when the array (10) is in the V-shaped stowed position.