The tracking device of the present disclosure includes a platform, support structure, and a cylinder. The cylinder comprises a plunger, an interior space, an aperture, and a fluid within the cylinder. Forward actuation of the plunger within the interior space the fluid to be pushed through the aperture. The platform is operably connected to the plunger, so that movement of the plunger causes the platform to rotate about a pivot point of the support structure. The tracking device can have a solar panel connected to the platform. The tracking device can also be used in any application where tracking would be of use, such as for surveillance, or time-lapse photography.

An apparatus is disclosed for rotating equipment, like solar panels, about an axis. Tension and compression members, in a rigid structure, are employed in the apparatus to minimize weight and to maximize stiffness. The rotating equipment is attached to the upper end of a rotatable elongated compression member, rotatably supported at its lower end by a tri-pod base comprising three additional compression members. Six tension members extending up from the tripod base hold a flange through which passes the rotatable elongated compression member. Lateral forces on the rotatable equipment are transmitted to the tripod base through the six tension members. The apparatus is configured such that wind forces and torques on the rotated equipment are transmitted by the apparatus to ground supports. Solar panels supported by the apparatus may be held at a fixed tilt angle, or an additional mechanism may be provided for rotational about a second orthogonal axis.

Tracking modules are effectively provided that can be arranged as systems for positioning devices, such as reflectors. A preferred reflector is small and light in comparison to prior art reflectors so that components can be utilized within reflector construction and support structure that are sufficiently stiff to accurately hold a reflector in place under expected operational drive-torque, gravity and wind loads. At the same time, a single person can install a reflector, easily overcoming a retention mechanism spring force so as to positively engage a reflector in position. This is achieved without the need for any tools, through a combination of a retention mechanism and a spring feature design. Arrangements of tracking modules are included for easier manufacture, transport of systems and installment.

An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.

The invention relates to a single-axis follower support system (1) for a solar collector (9) comprising a stationary structure (2) for anchoring to the ground; and a platform (30) suitable for supporting a solar collector, attached to at least one central horizontal beam (32) rotatably mounted on the stationary structure along a horizontal rotational axis inside at least one bearing (4) attached to the stationary structure; wherein the at least one bearing (4) comprises: a rotatable part (5) having a cavity (50) for receiving the central beam and a guide rail (51) in the shape of a circular arc centered on said horizontal rotational axis, wherein said guide rail extends below said cavity; and a base (7) retained on the stationary structure and onto which rolling members are attached which are rollingly mounted in the guide rail of the rotatable part.

A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry. The bearing assembly also comprises a bearing collar comprising a collar base and a collar mount, wherein the collar base includes an inner surface configured to circumscribe and slidingly engage the outer surface of the bearing wheel, wherein the collar mount projects radially out from collar base to a distal mount end, and wherein a plurality of mounting apertures at the distal mount end extend axially through the collar mount, and the mounting apertures are configured to respectively receive fasteners for securing the collar mount to a stationary structural member.

A modular two axis solar tracking system contemplates a first fixed base and a slidable/rotatable arm fixed to the first fixed base. The fixed base includes a primary linear actuator and a first movable element movable along a fixed axis. A second linear actuator is fixed at one end of the first movable element and an inverted J-shaped element is movable along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. A second fixed base is disposed in an open area surrounded by an open area defined by a U-shaped lower portion of the inverted J-shaped element. A slidable rotatable arm includes a projection coupled to the inverted J-shaped element that together with the first and second actuator move collection at the ends of the slidable/rotatable arm or arms to track the sun.

A drive assembly for a heliostat is described, wherein the drive assembly may be configured to dynamically adjust the position of an attached reflector in concentrated solar power applications. The drive assembly may be further configured to provide for biasing of the reflector to reduce backlash due to external loads. The biasing force may be provided by at least one of a spring, counterweight, or offset of the center of gravity of the reflector or other attachment, or some combination thereof.

A solar energy collection system comprises a frame for mounting the system on a suitable substrate and a plurality of solar panels disposed adjacent to one another on the frame. A first set of the solar panels are movable relative to a second set of the solar panels, for tracking movement of the sun during the day. Solar panels of the first set are arranged in alternating fashion with solar panels of the second set. In some embodiments of the invention, the panels in the second set of solar panels are stationary. The second set of solar panels, in some embodiments, are disposed substantially flat, relative to the frame and the substrate on which the frame is mounted. In some embodiments, differing from those in which the second set of solar panels are stationary, the second set of solar panels may be arranged to be movable relative to the first set of solar panels.

A receiver system for a Fresnel solar plant is provided that includes an absorber tube defining a longitudinal direction, a mirror array that runs parallel to the longitudinal direction and is used for concentrating light beams onto the absorber tube, and a support frame for the absorber tube and the mirror array. A first suspension for holding the absorber tube and a second suspension for holding the mirror array or at least parts of the mirror array are independently mounted on the support frame. The first suspension has first compensation device while the second suspension has second compensation device. The first and second compensation devices allow for different expansions of the absorber tube and the mirror array or at least parts of the mirror array in the longitudinal direction.