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 reactor for steam-methane reforming is adapted to be received in a tube on a focal axis of a parabolic trough. The reactor may comprise an array of micro-reactors interconnected by a water manifold, a gas manifold, a syngas manifold, and at least one steam-methane reforming chamber configured for reforming steam and methane into syngases, the micro-reactors having a vaporization portion for producing steam. Radiation plates may extend on sides of the array of micro-reactors Glazing may face and be spaced apart from a portion of the array of micro-reactors including at least one steam-methane reforming chamber, the glazing being conductively connected to the radiation plates for heat transfer therebetween, the at least one glazing allowing light from the parabolic trough to pass therethrough to reach the array of micro-reactors.

A solar energy collection system can include support devices made with bearings. Such bearings can include an inner partially toroidal surface for sliding contact and support of an outer surface of a torque tube. The toroidal surface can be made with a single radius of curvature or multiple radiuses of curvature and cylindrical portions. The bearings can include connectors for connecting the bearing members to a support housing. The connectors can be tool-less connectors.

A pressure-driven solar photovoltaic panel automatic tracking device includes a photovoltaic panel, a rotating shaft, a rotating wheel, a transmission component, a first counterweight, a second counterweight, a bellow tube, and a gas supply mechanism; the photovoltaic panel is fixed to the rotating shaft, the rotating wheel is fixed to the rotating shaft, the rotating wheel is provided with the transmission component, and both ends of the transmission component are respectively connected to the first counterweight and the second counterweight; the first counterweight is connected to the bellow tube, and the bellow tube is connected to the gas supply mechanism; and the bellow tube is expanded and contracted by controlling he gas supply mechanism, so that the first counterweight moves in the vertical direction, thereby driving the rotating wheel to rotate, so as to realize the automatic tracking of the sunlight by the photovoltaic panel.

A solar tracker waterless cleaning system for cleaning solar panels of a solar tracker being able to be positioned at a pre-determined angle, including a docking station and an autonomous robotic cleaner (ARC), the docking station coupled with an edge of the solar tracker, the ARC including at least one rechargeable power source, at least one cleaning cylinder, at least one edge sensor, at least one cleaning cylinder direct current (DC) drive motor including a built-in encoder, a cleaning cylinder drive belt and a controller, the cleaning cylinder including a plurality of fins which rotates for generating a directional air flow for pushing dirt off of the surface of the solar tracker without water, the cleaning cylinder DC drive motor for driving the cleaning cylinder, the controller for controlling a cleaning process of the ARC, the built-in encoder for determining a revolutions per minute (RPM) of the cleaning cylinder.

An energy concentrating apparatus includes: a mounting platform, a mounting support, a rotating support, a reflective mirror, an arc-shaped slide rail, a linking rod, a sliding parts, a drive device, and a pull rope. The mounting support is located on the mounting platform. A rotation shaft of each rotating support is rotatably located on the corresponding mounting support, and a rotation shaft of each reflective mirror is rotatably located on the corresponding rotating support. The arc-shaped slide rail is located on the mounting platform, and the sliding parts is slidably located in the arc-shaped slide rail, the linking rod is connected to the sliding parts and the reflective mirror respectively, and a curvature of the arc-shaped slide rail is different such that the reflective mirror rotates towards a different direction.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.

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 power collection system includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) panel assemblies positioned by one or more tracker drive units. Each PV panel assembly includes at least one PV panel comprising PV cells that collect solar energy and a base attached to the PV panel. The base includes at least one curved rocker surface that presents a first convex surface in at least a first direction to a substrate. The base is positionable on the substrate with the first direction aligned with an east-west orientation. The tracker drive unit is mechanically coupled to the base via a selected one of: (i) a drive rod; (ii) a closed loop cable; (iii) a torsion mechanism to impart a selected amounting of rolling-rocking movement of the base across the substrate to position the PV panel to efficiently receive sunlight.