The present invention relates to a tracking photovoltaic solar system comprising at least a tracker unit maintaining an array of photovoltaic modules (101) aligned to the sun during the course of the day. The tracker unit includes: a support structure (100), said support structure comprising a plurality of elongated elements (105) supporting said array of photovoltaic modules and a torque tube (104) for rigidly supporting said plurality of elongated elements and arranged to rotate along a first rotational axis (106), a pole structure (200) operably connected to said support structure, having an upper part rotationally fixed along said first rotational axis (106) on said support structure, and a lower part rotationally connected along a second rotational axis (204) orthogonal to the first rotational axis on foundations (500), and a steering mechanism (300) mechanically coupling together said first and said second rotational axis for rotating said support structure and said operably connected pole structure around said first and second rotational axis in the same movement.

An integrated wind and solar solution is provided, including a solar energy collection assembly (100) and a vertical axis wind turbine (400), combined to provide an integrated power output. In preferred embodiments, the vertical axis wind turbine is positioned above the solar energy collection assembly. Concentrating solar mirror collectors (116) are used to direct sunlight to a heat engine (250), which converts the collected heat energy into rotary motion. Rotary motion from the heat engine and from the vertical axis wind turbine preferably are on the same rotating axis (600), to facilitate load sharing between these two sources. A dual axis azimuth-altitude solar panel alignment tracking system is used in order to boost the energy conversion capability of the solar energy collectors.

Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.

In embodiments, a mechanical solar tracker disclosed herein includes a frame, an elevation cam with an elevation cam surface attached to the frame, and a rotation drive mechanically coupled to the frame. A collector carriage is coupled to the rotation drive and configured to rotate circumferentially around a vertical axis. Also, a collector is connected to the collector carriage and a hinge is coupled between the collector and the collector carriage wherein the hinge is configured to rotate the collector about a horizontal plane at a pivot point. Additionally, a cam follower is coupled between the collector and the elevation cam and the cam follower is configured to translate, based on a surface input from the elevation cam surface, rotation of the collector about the pivot point to track the sun's direction, by tracing the elevation cam surface with the cam follower.

An altitude and azimuth angle concurrent driving type solar tracking apparatus, which includes: a worm receiving rotational power through a first end and coupled to a central shaft in a casing; an altitude actuator engaged with the worm; an azimuth actuator engaged with the worm; a diurnal motion control frame composed of a first azimuth link arm and a second azimuth link arm; a meridian altitude angle control frame composed of a first altitude link arm, a second altitude link arm, and an altitude actuating arm; and a solar panel mount coupled to a second end of the second azimuth link arm. The apparatus simultaneously tracks the altitude angle and the azimuth angle of the sun using rotational power transmitted through the first end of the worm and maintains the base of a solar panel parallel to the ground when tracking the sun.

The present invention relates to a tracking photovoltaic solar system comprising at least a tracker unit maintaining an array of photovoltaic modules (101) aligned to the sun during the course of the day. The tracker unit includes: a support structure (100), said support structure comprising a plurality of elongated elements (105) supporting said array of photovoltaic modules and a torque tube (104) for rigidly supporting said plurality of elongated elements and arranged to rotate along a first rotational axis (106), a pole structure (200) operably connected to said support structure, having an upper part rotationally fixed along said first rotational axis (106) on said support structure, and a lower part rotationally connected along a second rotational axis (204) orthogonal to the first rotational axis on foundations (500), and a steering mechanism (300) mechanically coupling together said first and said second rotational axis for rotating said support structure and said operably connected pole structure around said first and second rotational axis in the same movement.

An altitude and azimuth angle concurrent driving type solar tracking apparatus, which includes: a worm receiving rotational power through a first end and coupled to a central shaft in a casing; an altitude actuator engaged with the worm; an azimuth actuator engaged with the worm; a diurnal motion control frame composed of a first azimuth link arm and a second azimuth link arm; a meridian altitude angle control frame composed of a first altitude link arm, a second altitude link arm, and an altitude actuating arm; and a solar panel mount coupled to a second end of the second azimuth link arm. The apparatus simultaneously tracks the altitude angle and the azimuth angle of the sun using rotational power transmitted through the first end of the worm and maintains the base of a solar panel parallel to the ground when tracking the sun.

A dual axis solar tracker is provided. The dual axis solar tracker includes a moving platform, a fixed platform, a serial chain, a parallel chain and a driving device. The moving platform is supported by the serial chain and driven by the parallel chain, forming a parallel tracking mechanism. The driving device is configured to drive the parallel chain to motion so as to drive the moving platform to rotate around vertical and horizontal axes. The dual axis solar tracker of the present disclosure has a larger workspace, a better tracking performance and advantages of high rigidity, low energy consumption, small driving torque and low inertia, etc.

Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.

A panel driving device rotates a panel structure to vary a tilt thereof or turns the panel structure about a vertical axis, the panel structure including a panel for receiving sunlight, the panel driving device including: a drive source including a rotational portion capable of rotating; and a transmission mechanism including a connection portion connected to the panel structure, and configured to convert a rotational movement of the rotational portion into rotation or turning of the panel structure without converting the rotational movement of the rotational portion into a linear movement, wherein the connection portion is offset from a rotation axis of the rotational portion.