The present invention provides a full-azimuth irradiation tracking method, a detection apparatus, and a solar tracker. The method comprises: acquiring a multi-azimuth irradiation data combination in a full-azimuth irradiation tracking mode; calculating a target tracking angle with a maximum irradiation amount among a plurality of azimuths according to the multi-azimuth irradiation data combination, and rotating the solar tracker according to the target tracking angle; collecting irradiation data at a position reached after the solar tracker is rotated, and calculating and analyzing whether the solar tracker is rotated and reaches a target position corresponding to the target tracking angle; and when the solar tracker is rotated and reaches the target position corresponding to the target tracking angle, controlling the solar tracker to maintain for a preset time at the target position. By means of the described solution, the multi-azimuth irradiation data combination can be obtained in the full-azimuth irradiation tracking mode, and an optimal tracking angle can be obtained by analyzing and determining, so that the solar tracker obtains the maximum irradiation amount and maintains for the preset time, thereby being able to increase a power generation amount.

The invention relates to a passive tracking device for tracking the position of the sun, which comprises a hollow parallelepiped casing through which the solar radiation entering through a first lens located at the upper end of the parallelepiped casing passes towards a discriminating reflector arranged at the lower end of the same casing; the tracking device redirects as much incoming radiation as possible towards side chambers for absorbing radiation, heating a working fluid contained in the side chamber; producing a volumetric expansion in the working fluid that, communicating with shafts for the rotation of the tracking device, allows the orientation with the normal/perpendicular position with respect to the position of the sun, and to guide the alignment direction of other tracking devices for collecting energy in devices for collecting photovoltaic and/or thermal energy that are mechanically connected to the tracking device.

A method may include orienting a set of solar power units in a first position in which rows of solar power units are shaded by adjacent rows of solar power units; and monitoring energy generated by the set of solar power units over a window of time, that includes from when the set of solar power units are oriented in the first position until a sun angle corresponds to none of the rows being shaded by the adjacent rows. The method may include identifying a knee in energy generation during the first window of time, where the knee indicates a transition from higher to lower rates of change of energy generation at a given solar angle. The method may include plotting a trajectory of future orientation positions over time of the set of solar power units that include an orientation and time corresponding to the given solar angle.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.

Motorized system for holding and driving at least one solar energy collector, said system including: a supporting structure for the panel, movable at least in part in relation to the ground, so as to allow controlled displacement of the collector, notably about at least two axes of rotation, at least one blocking member, fixed in relation to the ground, at least one coupling member, movable with the collector and adapted to cooperate with the blocking element in at least one locking position of the collector, in order to hold the collector in the event of extreme winds, the coupling member being able to be moved into the locking position or locking positions as a result of a predefined movement of the collector, from a usual operating position where the coupling member is remote from the blocking member.

The present disclosure describes non-intrusive optical (NIO) characterization methods which efficiency measures optical errors (such as mirror surface slope error, mirror canting error, and heliostat tracking error) of a heliostat field. The methods utilize photogrammetry and deflectometry to analyze an image taken of a heliostat to determine optical errors and increase the amount of solar energy delivered by the heliostat to the receiver.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a housing defining first and second chambers, a first fluid passageway extending between the first and second chambers, and a second fluid passageway extending from the second chamber. A piston is moveable relative to the housing and a valve is positioned within the first chamber and moveable to passively control fluid flow. An active lock includes a shaft extending into the second chamber with a seal attached to the shaft. The shaft is selectively moveable between an unsealed position in which the seal is spaced from a chamber wall and a flow path is defined between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway, and a sealed position in which the seal contacts and seals against the chamber wall to obstruct the flow path.

An automated self-contained solar panel system includes a weather-tight storage crate having a top side, bottom, and four vertical sides. The storage crate is used to house a first solar array having a primary solar panel mounted on a column and having at least one secondary solar panel slidably engaged with the primary solar panel, and at least one second solar array having a primary solar panel mounted on the column and having at least one secondary solar panel slidably engaged with the primary solar panel, the solar panels of the at least one secondary solar array overlapping the solar panels of the primary solar array in a stowed position, and the solar panels of the at least one secondary solar array extending beyond and not overlapping the solar panels of the primary solar array in a deployed position.

A solar tracker system comprising one or more tracker rotation control systems that include: a curved gear plate; and a locking element configured to lock the solar tracker system in a first configuration.

A solar tracker waterless cleaning system for cleaning solar panels of a solar tracker being able to be positioned at a pre-determined angle, including a docking station and an autonomous robotic cleaner (ARC), the docking station coupled with an edge of the solar tracker, the ARC including at least one rechargeable power source, at least one cleaning cylinder, at least one edge sensor, at least one cleaning cylinder direct current (DC) drive motor including a built-in encoder, a cleaning cylinder drive belt and a controller, the cleaning cylinder including a plurality of fins which rotates for generating a directional air flow for pushing dirt off of the surface of the solar tracker without water, the cleaning cylinder DC drive motor for driving the cleaning cylinder, the controller for controlling a cleaning process of the ARC, the built-in encoder for determining a revolutions per minute (RPM) of the cleaning cylinder.