A support structure for solar panels is comprised of two or more circular and concentric tracks or rails on which a plurality of pylons are mounted. The pylons are parallel and equipped with support wheels so as to support, through respective frames, a plurality of solar panels. The pylons rotate with respect to the common center of the concentric tracks so as to carry out a rotational movement for the azimuthal tracking (RA) of the sun (from east to west), while a plurality of actuators, which are mounted within each pylon, move one or more panels in order to obtain a rotational movement for the zenithal tracking (RZ). The combination of the two rotations is controlled by an electronic control unit, so as to follow at every moment of the day the sun's position. The support structure may be mounted on poles and can be isolated or can be installed on coverings, building roofs or generic flat surfaces.

A solar tracking system for tracking the orientation of solar energy is disclosed. The solar tracking system may be integrated with solar cells and solar concentrators. The solar tracking system may have a first (22) and second (24) tracker module array that are opposite from another, aligned in substantially identical orientation, and form a tracker module pair array (1000). Tracker module pairs (12, 14; 12, 144) may allow motion relative to one another while maintaining substantially identical orientation. Solar concentrators may be attached to opposing tracker modules of a tracker module pair forming an array of solar concentrators. A base bar array (28) may be coupled to at least one tracker module pair. A transmission may operably rotate the base bar array and the tracker module pair array simultaneously.

A solar tracking device includes a base, a first driving member, a turntable, a translating plate, a second driving member and a solar panel stand. The first driving member includes a first rotary gear. The turntable has an outer gear ring and a track. The outer gear ring is engaged with the first rotary gear to drive the turntable to rotate with respect to the base. The translating plate is accommodated in the track. The second driving member includes a second rotary gear installed at the translating plate and engaged with the track to drive the translating plate to move horizontally along the track. The solar panel stand includes a main frame and first and second link rod frames. The main frame is driven by the first and second link rod frames to adjust the angle of elevation with respect to the translating plate.

A solar energy tracking assembly for a solar energy panel can include a frame that supports the solar energy panel and pivots the solar energy panel between a retracted position generally parallel to a support surface on which the tracking assembly rests and an upright position. The frame can include a circular track on which the solar energy panel rotates about an axis of the circular track. The circular track is supported by a combination of support beam and footings that both bear the force of the solar panel as well as bear the torsional force from wind loading on the solar panel.

The present invention is a hybrid wind and solar power generator. The system uses a concentrated sun light and diluted sun light to increase the efficiency of the whole system. The combination of solar and wind power generators decreases the cost of common elements for generating electricity.

A low cost thin-film based heliostat with advanced stowing and wind survival capabilities. The heliostat may include a plurality of reflective surfaces held together via a plurality of double acting magnetic hinges. The heliostat may also include a drive mechanism attached to a post, and configured to stow the plurality of facets in any desired position.

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

The present application describes an automated structure for reception of modular constructions and respective automation system comprised by a lower structure (1), which contains an opening (4) for accommodation of a fixed shaft, comprised by the element of attachment of the shaft with the exterior, where, preferably, the structure and the fixed shaft of fixation to the exterior (5) can be coupled, a lifting mechanism (2) preferably located in the side sections of said lower structure (1) which is coupled to an upper structure (3) allowing its movement through the joint and support (6). The axial movement and the upper structure (3) are managed through an automated system based on a programmable automaton and a set of sensors and actuators, namely anemometers and frequency inverters that control these movements. This way, the present invention makes it possible to receive modular constructions, for example houses, making them move, for example, according to the solar orientation, in order to make them energy efficient.

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.