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.

A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

A solar tracking system includes a solar array, support beams that support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the support beams, a base that rotatably supports the torque tube, and an articulation system that rotates the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes an outer tube, a screw rod, and a nut and/or inner tube that rotates and translates along a length of the screw rod as the screw rod rotates. The interior portion of the outer tube includes helical grooves and the exterior portion of the nut or inner tube includes ridges or rollers that mate with the helical grooves, which cause the nut and/or inner tube to rotate as the nut and/or inner tube is translated along a length of the screw rod when the screw rod is rotated by the motor.

A dual axis solar array tracker for supporting a plurality of solar energy harvesting elements at a plurality of solar collector nodes. Two perpendicular axes of movement, specifically a rotation axis at a rotatable transverse beam and a tilt axis relative to the axis of the transverse beam, enable accurate orientation in a stable configuration. The dual axis design of the solar tracker enables the movement of solar collectors such that they can be directed towards the sun wherein incoming solar rays are perpendicular to the solar cell element of the solar collector to optimize collection of solar radiation. The present solar tracker array also enables integrated solar, electrical and/or thermal energy cogeneration.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a plurality of support beams configured to support the solar array, a torque tube coupled to the plurality of support beams, a base configured to rotatably support the torque tube, and an articulation system configured to rotate the torque tube relative to the base. The articulation system includes a first helical tube coupled to the torque tube, a first helical tube support disposed on the base and configured to slidably support the first helical tube, and a gearbox in mechanical communication with the first helical tube. Actuation of the gearbox causes the first helical tube to translate within the first helical tube support and the first helical tube support is configured to rotate the first helical tube as the first helical tube is translated therein to cause a corresponding rotation of the solar array.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

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.

A solar tracker having a brake function is disclosed. The solar tracker according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to a technology having a dual position sensing device provided at a part at which altitude adjustment and horizontal rotation of a solar collector plate respectively end, such that a brake is accurately operated for a driving motor, which is respectively in charge of altitude adjustment and horizontal rotation.

A tracking system for performing a movement control of a solar panel is provided, having a single axis solar tracking solution allowing an individual actuation of a solar panel and its respective rotation axis. The tracking system is applied in an individual solar panel, and has a local control unit, an electrical motor, a tracking actuator mechanism, a blockage unit and a tracking support mechanism, which is useful for solar power plant installations where individual panel tracking is an advantage due to site conditions such as irregular grounds or unstable locations as in aquatic sites or locations with variable slopes.