A heliostat for tracking the sun is disclosed. The heliostat comprises a frame (104) with legs (102); an optical assembly (120) configured to hang between the legs of the frame by means of a plurality of wires (130); and a plurality of actuators (520) configured to change the orientation of the optical assembly via the plurality of wires. The optical assembly may include a mirror (122) or photovoltaic panel that tracks the sun, and concrete backing (610). The optical assembly may further include a tracking controller (150) to energize the plurality of actuators, photovoltaic cell (252) configured to power the tracking controller and actuators, cleaning assembly (1710), and reservoir (770) for capturing rain water on the optical assembly. The optical assembly may further include a camera (254) for capturing images of the frame and determining the orientation of the optical assembly based on the images.

An embodiment for a solar tracker assembly includes a component having multiple pulleys or slide surfaces. A first torque tube is connected with the component. The first torque tube includes a cable slot. A first pull cable is connected to a first and a second pulley of the multiple pulleys or to a first and a second slide surface of the multiple slide surfaces. A second pull cable is connected to a third and a fourth pulley of the multiple pulleys or to a third and a fourth slide surface of the multiple slide surfaces. A first post is connected with the torque tube. The first post includes a connection point connected to the first pull cable and the second pull cable.

The invention relates to enclosed solar parabolic trough reflector systems for thermal heat generation that can ultimately be used in various applications. The system includes a modular dual arch building design with a transparent building envelope and a reflector assembly connected within the building through a bearing assembly. The system is particularly suited for solar heat collection in harsh environment.

A floating solar array made of a closed loop of flexible high density polyethylene pipes with elbows, T fittings and couplings. An anti-lift membrane fills with water and mitigates the wind forces. The array can have a stabilizing skirt going downwardly from the border of the array, especially when it is used offshore in the sea. A vertical axis tracking system with windlasses, two anchoring points and four mooring lines allows all the solar panels to face the sun throughout the day. For small lakes or mine tailing, the two anchor points will be onshore, on a concrete foundation. Winches to wind and unwind the mooring lines are located at the anchor point or on the solar array. For larger water areas, or offshore applications in the sea water, the anchor points are under water; using typically a concrete block or a suction pile solution for each anchor.

Disclosed are a rope transmission structure, a solar energy tracker and the application method thereof, relating to the technical field of solar power generation. The rope transmission structure includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel, a main transmission rope and a plurality of tracking units. The main transmission rope is connected end to end, and one end of the main transmission rope is sleeved on the driving wheel and the other end thereof is sleeved on the driven wheel. The plurality of tracking units are provided at intervals along a lengthwise direction of the main transmission rope. A rotating member is hinged on a mounting bracket, and one end of a first branch rope is connected to the rotating member and the other end thereof is connected to the main transmission rope.

The present invention provides a transmission device applied to a photovoltaic tracking support. The photovoltaic tracking support comprises a stand column and a main beam. The main beam is rotatably supported on the stand column, and the main beam supports a photovoltaic assembly. The transmission device comprises a composite chain gear set and a composite chain wheel set. The composite chain gear set has multiple chain gears. The multiple chain gears are coaxially arranged and are arranged in a manner that the teeth are staggered. The composite chain wheel set has multiple chain wheels. The multiple chain wheels are coaxially arranged, and are in one-to-one correspondence to and meshing transmission with the multiple chain gears. One of the composite chain gear set and the composite chain wheel set is rotatably disposed on the stand column, and the other is connected to the main beam. The present invention also provides a photovoltaic tracking support comprising the transmission device. When the transmission device is applied to the photovoltaic tracking support, the shaking amplitude of the photovoltaic tracking support under the action of strong wind can be reduced, wear can be decreased, and the transmission device adapts to grease-free lubrication conditions.

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.

The object of the present disclosure lies at least in providing a multi-assembly tracking control system for solar photovoltaic module, which may control multiple sets of photovoltaic module assemblies simultaneously, so as to enable a single-axis tracking in one direction or a two-axis tracking in two directions. It is able to receive the sunlight in a most efficient manner under various climate and deployment conditions, to greatly raise the power generation efficiency and to enhance the stability of the whole system.

The solar heating apparatus has a base box and a main axle mounted on the base box. At least one mirror support arm is mounted orthogonal to the main axle and supports a plurality of mirrors. In a first embodiment, a circular plate on the side of the base box rotates the main axle to bank the mirrors to track azimuth and a belt or chain drive rotates the mirror support arms to track elevation. In a second embodiment, the main axle is a beam mounted on a rotating circular plate on top of the base box to track azimuth and bevel gears drive a belt or chain drive that rotates the mirror support arms to track elevation. In a third embodiment, the mirror support arms are driven to rotate by bevel gears and the main axle through belt or chain drives.

The solar heating apparatus has a base box and a main axle mounted on the base box. At least one mirror support arm is mounted orthogonal to the main axle and supports a plurality of mirrors. In a first embodiment, a circular plate on the side of the base box rotates the main axle to bank the mirrors to track azimuth and a belt or chain drive rotates the mirror support arms to track elevation. In a second embodiment, the main axle is a beam mounted on a rotating circular plate on top of the base box to track azimuth and bevel gears drive a belt or chain drive that rotates the mirror support arms to track elevation. In a third embodiment, the mirror support arms are driven to rotate by bevel gears and the main axle through belt or chain drives.