A solar tracker comprises a support frame, a panel assembly comprising one or more solar panels, and an actuator to rotate the panel assembly to track the movement of the sun. The panel assembly comprises a central spine and one or more panel carriers extending transversely over the top of the central spine for supporting solar panels. The panel carriers are secured to the central spine by respective support brackets. The support brackets comprise a top surface, side walls extending downwardly from opposing sides of the top surface, and a slot with a downwardly facing opening extending transversely through the sidewalls. The slot is configured to receive the central spine.

A solar tracker comprises a support frame, a panel assembly comprising one or more solar panels, and an actuator to rotate the panel assembly to track the movement of the sun. The panel assembly comprises a central spine and one or more panel carriers extending transversely over the top of the central spine for supporting solar panels. The panel carriers are secured to the central spine by respective support brackets. The support brackets comprise a top surface, side walls extending downwardly from opposing sides of the top surface, and a slot with a downwardly facing opening extending transversely through the sidewalls. The slot is configured to receive the central spine.

A solar tracking assembly includes a spine and a plurality of paired brackets connected to the spine. The brackets are positioned on opposite sides of the spine and at least one of the paired brackets includes wheels to allow rolling movement of the spine. An array arm is attached to each bracket and is moveable from a shipping position to a deployed position, and at least one solar array panel is secured to each array arm. A method of installing a solar panel assembly includes assembling in a secondary automated process at least one solar panel assembly in an offsite location, loading the solar panel assembly in the shipping position on a truck, transporting the truck to a deployment site, and off-loading the solar panel assembly from said truck.

A device for holding a material and a method for holding such materials. The device includes a lower part having at least two engagement points, at least one elongated flexible tensioning element that is attached suspended between the engagement points, and traction mechanisms that are attached on the tensioning element or are part of the tensioning element. The tensioning element is connected to, encloses or carries the material, and the device is configured such that all traction mechanisms can be pulled simultaneously with identical or different tensile force in the direction of the lower part.

A device for holding a material and a method for holding such materials. The device includes a lower part having at least two engagement points, at least one elongated flexible tensioning element that is attached suspended between the engagement points, and traction mechanisms that are attached on the tensioning element or are part of the tensioning element. The tensioning element is connected to, encloses or carries the material, and the device is configured such that all traction mechanisms can be pulled simultaneously with identical or different tensile force in the direction of the lower part.

A fluidic actuator comprises a chamber. The chamber is provided using a mass manufacturing technique. The chamber is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis. The chamber allows a volume change by localized bending of a chamber wall.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and processes for collecting solar energy. According to particular embodiments, a solar collector device comprises a primary reflector, and a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure. The receiver assembly comprises a heat transfer tube. The primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror mounted on a structural backing that is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the primary reflector may pivot around a pivot axis. The receiver assembly and/or the primary reflector may translate along the frame structure in a direction that is parallel to the pivot axis of the primary reflector. The one or more primary reflectors reflect light focused upon the receiver assembly such that heat energy from the reflected light is transferred to a heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer tube.

The method is for conveying solar power from a sun. A solar concentrator conveys and concentrates solar power as rays into a glass rod. The solar concentrator has a tapering device disposed at a bottom thereof. The glass rod has a first curved glass loop section, a second curved glass loop section and a straight glass section. The straight glass section has an outer end that is positioned in proximity to a water surface to heat the water. The first loop section is rotated relative to the second loop section at a first gap and the second section is rotated relative to the curved section at a second gap so that the concentrator can follow the path of the sun during the day.

The method is for conveying solar power from a sun. A solar concentrator conveys and concentrates solar power as rays into a glass rod. The solar concentrator has a tapering device disposed at a bottom thereof. The glass rod has a first curved glass loop section, a second curved glass loop section and a straight glass section. The straight glass section has an outer end that is positioned in proximity to a water surface to heat the water. The first loop section is rotated relative to the second loop section at a first gap and the second section is rotated relative to the curved section at a second gap so that the concentrator can follow the path of the sun during the day.

Solar-operated adjustment device for a solar installation including, at least one retaining element for fixing at least one solar element, a swivel device which is designed and intended to swivel the retaining element around a support point, wherein the swivel device includes at least one liquid tank, wherein a float of the retaining element is arranged at least in part beneath a filling level of the liquid tank and the float is supported on a perimeter of the liquid tank, and the retaining element can only be swiveled around a support point with respect to a longitudinal axis of the liquid tank by means of its buoyancy and is mounted above the filling level, at least indirectly on the edge of the liquid tank.