In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first and second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure, a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support, and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.

A method of controlling a solar array including receiving current and voltage data from a plurality of solar modules of the solar array, calculating a diffuse fraction irradiance for the plurality of solar modules, mapping the diffuse fraction irradiance for the plurality of solar modules, generating a digital image of light conditions in the solar array based on the mapped diffuse fraction irradiance, defining zones within the array based on the light conditions in the digital image, determining a zone-specific solar tracker angle for each zone based on mapped diffuse fraction irradiance, transmitting the zone-specific solar tracker angle to a computing device associated with each solar tracker in the solar array, and driving the solar trackers of each zone such that the solar trackers that make up each zone are oriented to substantially the same angle.

A method of controlling a solar array including receiving current and voltage data from a plurality of solar modules of the solar array, calculating a diffuse fraction irradiance for the plurality of solar modules, mapping the diffuse fraction irradiance for the plurality of solar modules, generating a digital image of light conditions in the solar array based on the mapped diffuse fraction irradiance, defining zones within the array based on the light conditions in the digital image, determining a zone-specific solar tracker angle for each zone based on mapped diffuse fraction irradiance, transmitting the zone-specific solar tracker angle to a computing device associated with each solar tracker in the solar array, and driving the solar trackers of each zone such that the solar trackers that make up each zone are oriented to substantially the same angle.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. A shell defines a fluid chamber and a piston is positioned within the shell. The piston includes a seal and defines compression and extension portions of the fluid chamber. A flow path extends between the compression portion and the extension portions. A first valve assembly controls fluid flow in a first direction through the flow path and a second valve assembly controls fluid flow in a second direction through the flow path. The valve assemblies are each passively moveable from an unlocked state to a locked state in response to movement of the piston.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. A shell defines a fluid chamber and a piston is positioned within the shell. The piston includes a seal and defines compression and extension portions of the fluid chamber. A flow path extends between the compression portion and the extension portions. A first valve assembly controls fluid flow in a first direction through the flow path and a second valve assembly controls fluid flow in a second direction through the flow path. The valve assemblies are each passively moveable from an unlocked state to a locked state in response to movement of the piston.

This disclosure relates to exact sun-tracking devices by the principle of exact sun-following by independent 2-DOF, which says if the daily rotation axis is installed on a ground structure in parallel with the earth's rotation axis and the elevation angle axis is mounted perpendicularly to the daily rotation axis then the two rotational degrees of freedom are independent of each other. This property makes a separate intermittent control with a forward half-step setting very efficient and energy-saving. A control system by a wire loop driving mechanism has several advantages, holding the structure securely, relieving a motor weight from the over-structure, and allowing a simple economic control with self-locking. Three structural types are categorized: a long shaft type, a tip-tilt type, and a tension structure type. An array sun-tracking device with an efficient wire loop actuating mechanism illustrates a preferred sun power generation system for general and industrial applications.

This disclosure relates to exact sun-tracking devices by the principle of exact sun-following by independent 2-DOF, which says if the daily rotation axis is installed on a ground structure in parallel with the earth's rotation axis and the elevation angle axis is mounted perpendicularly to the daily rotation axis then the two rotational degrees of freedom are independent of each other. This property makes a separate intermittent control with a forward half-step setting very efficient and energy-saving. A control system by a wire loop driving mechanism has several advantages, holding the structure securely, relieving a motor weight from the over-structure, and allowing a simple economic control with self-locking. Three structural types are categorized: a long shaft type, a tip-tilt type, and a tension structure type. An array sun-tracking device with an efficient wire loop actuating mechanism illustrates a preferred sun power generation system for general and industrial applications.

The present invention relates to a device (100) for light exposure regulation of agricultural goods and energy production, in particular electrical energy production, by converting or transmitting a highly-directional component (81) of incident light (80) and by transmitting a diffuse component (82) of incident light (80), comprising: #an optical arrangement (40) comprising a first optical layer (41), wherein the first optical layer (41) comprises a plurality of primary optical elements (47); #a light energy conversion layer (50) at least partially transparent to light and comprising a plurality of distant light energy conversion elements (51) capable of converting light energy in an output energy; #a shifting mechanism (60) for moving the optical arrangement (40) relative to the light energy conversion layer (50) or vice versa; and #a frame element (10) to which either the optical arrangement (40) or the light energy conversion layer (50) is attached, wherein the shifting mechanism (60) is arranged to displace the optical arrangement (40) or the light energy conversion layer (50) translationally relative to the frame element (10), through one or more translation element (65), wherein the primary optical elements (47) of the first optical layer (41) and the shifting mechanism (60) are designed such that the highly-directional component (81) of incident light (80) is directable onto the light energy conversion elements (51) of the light energy conversion layer (50) and such that the diffuse component (82) of incident light (80) is transmittable through the regions of the light energy conversion layer (50) not covered by the light energy conversion elements (51), and wherein the amount of light transmitted through the device (100) is controllable. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a corresponding method and use for converting light energy with the aforementioned device.

A solar energy harvesting assembly having a unique attachment that can be arranged, mounted, moved and attached to new or existing structures. Solar rings are mounted on any vertical structure that may benefit from solar power using an aesthetically pleasing design that is resistant to wind load. The assembly does not require the need for pitch, azimuth or bearing measurements. The assembly is also capable of energy harvesting from reflected light below with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panels. The mounting design allows the solar energy harvest device to be installed on any vertical structure, including light poles, power poles, parking structures and other minimal load bearing structures. Further, the assembly can be attached to water towers, existing radio towers (guyed, monopole, stealth, self-supporting towers) all used to create vast amounts of unshaded vertical space for solar energy harvesting.

A solar energy harvesting assembly having a unique attachment that can be arranged, mounted, moved and attached to new or existing structures. Solar rings are mounted on any vertical structure that may benefit from solar power using an aesthetically pleasing design that is resistant to wind load. The assembly does not require the need for pitch, azimuth or bearing measurements. The assembly is also capable of energy harvesting from reflected light below with the use of bifacial photovoltaic panels. The mounting design allows the solar energy harvest device to be installed on any vertical structure, including light poles, power poles, parking structures and other minimal load bearing structures. Further, the assembly can be attached to water towers, existing radio towers (guyed, monopole, stealth, self-supporting towers) all used to create vast amounts of unshaded vertical space for solar energy harvesting.