A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

A marine system (1) comprises a structure (10) that is designed for use in a marine environment, and that includes an exterior surface (11) that is at least intermittently exposed to water during actual use of the structure (10). The marine system (1) further comprises an anti-biofouling light arrangement (20) that is arranged and configured to emit anti-biofouling light towards the exterior surface (11) of the structure (10) in order to perform art anti-biofouling action on the exterior surface (11) of the structure (10), wherein the anti-biofouling light arrangement (20) includes a polarizing device (22) that is arranged in a path of the anti-biofouling light towards the exterior surface (11) of the structure (10) and configured to only let light waves of the anti-biofouling light of a specific polarization pass through.

A marine system (1) comprises a structure (10) that is designed for use in a marine environment, and that includes an exterior surface (11) that is at least intermittently exposed to water during actual use of the structure (10). The marine system (1) further comprises an anti-biofouling light arrangement (20) that is arranged and configured to emit anti-biofouling light towards the exterior surface (11) of the structure (10) in order to perform art anti-biofouling action on the exterior surface (11) of the structure (10), wherein the anti-biofouling light arrangement (20) includes a polarizing device (22) that is arranged in a path of the anti-biofouling light towards the exterior surface (11) of the structure (10) and configured to only let light waves of the anti-biofouling light of a specific polarization pass through.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

A solar magnification and shading apparatus, which may include a solar panel, having a front surface; a light controlling layer, having an underside and a top side, and positioned above the front surface of the solar panel such that a total area of the underside of the light controlling layer covers at least a total area of the front surface of the solar panel; and a magnification layer, having a bottom side and positioned above the top side of the light controlling layer such that a total area of the bottom side of the magnification layer covers at least a total area of the top side of the light controlling layer.

A method for constructing a solar cell farm includes steps of: (1) installing a plurality of reinforced concrete piles on a latticed divided surface of a ground or a water level of the foreshore in a solar cell panel installation area; (2) constructing a lattice-type truss by connecting a plurality of steel beams in a transverse direction on the concrete piles and a plurality of rails on the steel beams in a longitudinal direction on the steel beams; (3) installing a solar cell panel by varying the slope of the panel by varying the length of a length-variable connection means between the plurality of rails of the truss and 4 axes of the left, right, upper and lower sides of the solar cell panel; and (4) constructing a rail for driving the track vehicle between the rails mounted on the transverse steel beams of the truss.

A method for constructing a solar cell farm includes steps of: (1) installing a plurality of reinforced concrete piles on a latticed divided surface of a ground or a water level of the foreshore in a solar cell panel installation area; (2) constructing a lattice-type truss by connecting a plurality of steel beams in a transverse direction on the concrete piles and a plurality of rails on the steel beams in a longitudinal direction on the steel beams; (3) installing a solar cell panel by varying the slope of the panel by varying the length of a length-variable connection means between the plurality of rails of the truss and 4 axes of the left, right, upper and lower sides of the solar cell panel; and (4) constructing a rail for driving the track vehicle between the rails mounted on the transverse steel beams of the truss.

A method of determining and responding to an overcast sky condition during daylight hours in a solar tracker installation utilizing a single, fixed-position irradiance sensor associated with a set of solar tracker assemblies of the solar tracker installation and, if a series of irradiance levels communicated by the irradiance sensor to an array controller of a solar tracker control system of the installation indicates that an overcast sky condition has been present for a predetermined overcast sky duration period, the array controller transmitting control signals to a set of solar tracker controllers associated with the set of solar tracker assemblies to deviate from a normal solar tracking mode to an overcast sky mode by pivoting respective tables of the associated set of solar tracker assemblies to one or more predetermined overcast sky condition angles of inclination, and a solar tracker control system for implementing the foregoing method.

A method of passive cooling for a high concentrating photovoltaic, the high concentrating photovoltaic, includes a photovoltaic receiver, a parabolic dish reflector and a plurality of thermally conductive heat pipes having a direct thermal contact between the receiver and the reflector to transfer excessive heat. The method includes receiving sunlight by the parabolic dish reflector, reflecting the sunlight towards the photovoltaic receiver that converts the sunlight into electricity and heat, transferring the heat through the thermally conductive heat pipes and absorbing the heat by the reflector serving a dual purpose as a heat sink. A reduction in weight and cost is accomplished by incorporating the flat heat pipes.