Azimuthal rotation mechanism for solar trackers having a vertical pedestal (1) on which a rotating support (2) holding the solar panels (7) is mounted, which is actuated by at least three hydraulic cylinders (4, 5 and 6) located in the same horizontal plane and articulated through the casing to the rotating support (2) by a first movable vertical shaft (18), while the piston rods of the three cylinders pass through the wall of the rotating support and are articulated at the same height to the pedestal by a second fixed vertical rotation shaft (21).

A floating solar array made of a closed loop of flexible high density polyethylene pipes with elbows, T fittings and couplings. An anti-lift membrane fills with water and mitigates the wind forces. The array can have a stabilizing skirt going downwardly from the border of the array, especially when it is used offshore in the sea. A vertical axis tracking system with windlasses, two anchoring points and four mooring lines allows all the solar panels to face the sun throughout the day. For small lakes or mine tailing, the two anchor points will be onshore, on a concrete foundation. Winches to wind and unwind the mooring lines are located at the anchor point or on the solar array. For larger water areas, or offshore applications in the sea water, the anchor points are under water; using typically a concrete block or a suction pile solution for each anchor.

A system and mechanism that redirects sunlight towards a target destination. The system has an array of double prismatic discs that are controlled by a control module that includes a light detecting module. The system is modular and will work for any elevation and azimuth of direct sunlight. The system will further provide one or more remote functionalities. The system can be used to provide collimated solar side or top illumination for indoor spaces, directly or in combination with reflectors. The system may be combined with a hybrid solar lighting (HSL) panel to provide indoor illumination through optical fiber cables. The system may be combined with a concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) panel or with a concentrated solar thermal (CST) panel to produce electricity or heat respectively. The system replaces the solar tracker typically used in these applications, which enables the assembly to be integrated in buildings and vehicles without altering their aesthetics.

A solar paving module (200) is described. The module (200) comprises: a frame (234); a power generating element (216) comprising at least one photovoltaic element (216) supported in the frame (234); a light transmitting surface screen (218) covering the electrical power generating element (216) and having a planar upper surface; and an electrical connector connected electrically to the power generating element (216). The solar paving module (200) comprises a heat sink (260) in thermal connectivity with the power generating element (216), the heat sink comprising a heat sink plate (262) and one or more ground plates (280) connected to the heat sink plate (262) and forming a heat sink anchor.

A movement control apparatus for a heliostat device may include a step motor, a decelerating motor, a ball screw assembly, a nut, a connecting shaft, and a linear moving shaft. In one embodiment, the nut is movably connected with the ball screw assembly and is secured on a first connecting board and a second connecting board through the connecting shaft. The nut is driven by the ball screw assembly to travel along the screw shaft and since the nut is connected to the connecting boards through the connecting shaft, and the connecting boards are connected to the moving shaft, the movement of the nut can further drive the connecting shaft to rotate to drive the moving shaft to move in a linear manner on the sliding rail to rotate a mirror assembly of the heliostat around a post.

A movement control apparatus for a heliostat device may include a step motor, a decelerating motor, a ball screw assembly, a nut, a connecting shaft, and a linear moving shaft. In one embodiment, the nut is movably connected with the ball screw assembly and is secured on a first connecting board and a second connecting board through the connecting shaft. The nut is driven by the ball screw assembly to travel along the screw shaft and since the nut is connected to the connecting boards through the connecting shaft, and the connecting boards are connected to the moving shaft, the movement of the nut can further drive the connecting shaft to rotate to drive the moving shaft to move in a linear manner on the sliding rail to rotate a mirror assembly of the heliostat around a post.

Provided herein is a solar energy light collecting device, which includes a light reflection module, a sun tracking module, and a control module. The light reflection module includes reflection units, reflection unit support beams and a support wheel frame assembly. The sun tracking module includes an angle adjustment set, a height adjustment set, and a supporter set. The control module includes a sense control unit and a driving motor. The sense control unit senses the direction of the sunlight and controls the driving motor to drive the sun tracking module, such that the light reflection module faces the direction of the sunlight. Moreover, an additional balance adjustment module can also be adopted to resolve the spatial disposition problem.

There is provided in a first form of an illustrative embodiment a method. The method includes providing a quantity of carbon dioxide in gaseous form within an interior volume of an vessel and contacting the carbon dioxide gas with a heat exchanger disposed within the interior volume of the vessel. The vessel is exposed to solar radiation, wherein the carbon dioxide absorbs radiation in one or more vibration bands of the carbon dioxide, the absorbed radiation obtained from the solar radiation. Heat within the first quantity of carbon dioxide produced by collisional thermalization of the absorbed radiation is transferred, via the heat exchanger, to a heat transfer medium within the heat exchanger and in fluid communication with an external environment of the vessel.

A foldable solar panel assembly is configured to support solar panels in a compact and folded, undeployed position, and in an unfolded, deployed position, and to fold and unfold between its deployed and undeployed position.

A foldable solar panel assembly is configured to support solar panels in a compact and folded, undeployed position, and in an unfolded, deployed position, and to fold and unfold between its deployed and undeployed position.