Modular tracker systems that include at least first and second tables or are continuous without the use of tables, a single motor driving the first and second tables, first and second intra-table drive shafts and an inter-table drive shaft. Each table includes a support structure including first and second mounting posts, a frame supported by the support structure, at least one solar panel supported by the frame, and first and second gearboxes being concentrically aligned for each table. The first and second gearboxes are each configured to produce first and second outputs. The first output has a first rotational speed, and the second output has a second rotational speed less than the first rotational speed, and is operatively coupled to the frame. The inter-table drive shaft couples the second gearbox of the first table with the first gearbox of the second table, whereby the first and second tables are rotated synchronously.

A drive arrangement is provided comprising at least one drive device, which is rotatable about a rotational axis, comprises at least one drive element and at least one retaining element, the drive element being arranged offset in the radial direction in relation to the retaining element, and at least one output unit, which is rotatable or pivotable about an axis, the output unit comprising at least one drive recess and at least one retaining recess, the drive element being associated with the at least one drive recess and engaging in the drive recess to drive the output unit, and the retaining element being associated with the retaining recess and engaging in the retaining recess to hold the output unit in a set position, the drive element having a cross section that is different from a circular cross section and that is curved at least in some sections, and/or the drive recess widening in the radial direction in order to define an entry opening for the drive element.

The present invention relates to a two axis tracking system (100). The present invention includes a frame (102), a solar panel PV module (112), an upper beam (114), a selectively flexible bracket (116), a first_supporting pillar (118), a second supporting pillar (140), a lower beam (120), a first strut (126), a second strut (146). The first supporting pillar (118) and the second supporting pillar (140) together act as the fixed link. The frame (102) acts as the rotating link and the lower beam (120) acts as the translating link. The first strut (126) and the second strut (146) together act as the fourth link connecting the frame (102) and the lower beam (120). The translation of the lower beam (120) causes rotation of the frame (102) in north-south direction. The PV module (112) is mounted on the frame (102) are rotated in east-west direction by translation motion of the upper beam (114).

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.

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 series of photovoltaic panels (PV) arranged on a planar, horizontal support platform so as to form a PV array that is pivotally connected to a PV array support structure that can pivotally raise, angle and support the PV array above agricultural fields at heights that allow the passage of large mechanized farm equipment to pass beneath. The PV array support structure pivotally raises its PV array into its operating elevation and positional range with a system of motorized pivot arms operationally positioned between its array columns and the members of the support frame. Once in place, these PV arrays may be horizontally moved by tilting or angling the array columns within a specified operating range (by computer positioning known as dynamic shifting). At the same time, the PV panels may all be optimally tilted for sun sharing and sun shading for both the generation of electricity and to increase the agricultural efficiency of the underlying land.

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.

A pivoting unit for a tracking apparatus for solar modules, comprising at least one cross member pivotable about a pivot axis, at least one drive arch, which is connected to the at least one cross member and has a plurality of drive recesses and a plurality of retaining recesses, and at least one rotatably mounted drive unit, the rotatably mounted drive unit being designed such that it engages in at least one of the drive recesses of the drive arch in order to pivot the at least one cross member. The drive unit is designed in such a way that it engages in at least one of the retaining recesses in order to hold the cross member in a pivoted position.

A solar tracker system is a system and method to integrate the solar cells to a greenhouse. The solar tracker system comprises solar tracker modules that include solar cells, racks, gears, pinons, motors, and mounting brackets to efficiently and conveniently be installed to the roofs and walls of a new greenhouse and/or an existing greenhouse for retrofit application. Additionally, the solar tracker system uses various sensors to provide real-time conditions to the greenhouse. The method uses actual or system default values to adjust the angle and position of solar cells according to various environmental factors, such as DLI, weather, date, time, direction of sunlight, or type of plant.