Systems and methods that provide trackers and tracking assemblies having node managers, such as smart node managers are described herein. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an autonomous energy distribution network including a plurality of solar tracker devices configured to receive solar energy and transform the solar energy into electrical energy, where each of the solar tracker devices is directly connected to a node in a power distribution grid. The network also includes a node manager configured to receive status information from the solar trackers, where the status information includes information regarding the state of the node to which each of the solar tracker device are directly connected.

A novel portable solar energy system includes a solar concentrator, a thermal storage device, an azimuth adjustment system, an elevation system, and a heat exchanger, all mounted on a rotatable support frame. In a particular embodiment, the thermal storage device remains at a fixed vertical height and fixed tilt orientation when adjustments are made to the azimuth adjustment system and/or the elevation adjustment system.

A heliostat contained within a mechanical enclosure is described that optimizes the heliostat for domestic applications by emphasizing features of durability, protection from outside weather, low cost of manufacture, self-powering, light-weight, and aesthetics.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for identifying PV system and solar irradiance sensor orientation and tilt based on energy production, energy received, simulated energy production, estimated energy received, production skew, and energy received skew. The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting orientation and tilt of a PV system based on energy production and simulated energy production; for detecting the orientation and tilt of a solar irradiance sensor based on solar irradiance observation and simulated solar irradiance observation; for detecting orientation of a PV system based on energy production and energy production skew; and for detecting orientation of a solar irradiance sensor based on solar irradiance observation and solar irradiance observation skew.

Linear fresnel solar power system which is transportable in a goods container which comprises a number of rows of reflective mirrors (6), an automatic cleaning system (10), a linear receiver (18) and a support structure designed to be assembled on a commercial goods container (1). In turn, the support structure comprises two foldable lateral platforms (2) capable of adopting two fixed positions, a vertical position, wherein all the elements on the platform remain inside the volume of the structure of the container, thereby allowing for the latter to be transported and/or stored using conventional methods, and a horizontal position that allows for the system to operate as a conventional linear fresnel solar collector. The rows of reflective mirrors (6), mounted on mirror-carrying banks (7), and at least two ballast tanks (11), used as excess weight in order to reduce the necessary foundations, are placed on the foldable lateral platforms (2). The automatic cleaning system (10) comprises movement rails (12), along which central stiffeners (16) move. At least one cleaning unit (15) for each row of mirrors (6) is joined to these central stiffeners (16). In turn, the cleaning units (15) comprise an element manufactured with absorbent materials (13), an upper cover (14) and a water supply system. The linear receiver (18) comprises an external casing (4), end supports (3) and intermediate supports (5). In turn, the external casing (4) comprises a transparent cover (23), insulating means (21), a secondary reflective surface (22) and at least one tubular receiver (9).

Positioning a radiation collection device such as a solar oven using a positioning system attached to an outside of a building structure. The positioning system allowing the collection device to be positioned in a plurality of locations where at least one of the plurality of locations is away from the building structure to allow the radiation collection device to collect solar radiation.

The disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator. The present disclosure generally relates to concentrating daylight collectors that can be used for illuminating interior spaces of a building with sunlight, and in particular to a light concentrator alignment system that can detect and correct for misalignment of the solar concentrator.

A tracking system for a solar collector is disclosed. The tracking system includes at least two polarization cameras and a tracking controller configured to: determine orientations of maximal intensity of polarized light received from the at least one heliostat mirror; generate radial lines based on the orientation of maximal intensity of polarized light from the at least one heliostat mirror; determine a position of the sun based on an intersection of the radial lines; and re-orient the at least one heliostat mirror based on the determined position of the sun. In the preferred embodiment, the sun position may be determined based on radial lines corresponding to three or more cameras mounted around the receiver aperture.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for solar energy utilization. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a rotating panel system for solar energy utilization, including thermal, electrical, and visual applications. The system includes a plurality of rotatable panels, a rotation system, and a housing. The housing both mechanically supports the rotatable panels and thermally insulates and/or redirects the heat and/or electricity generated by the panels. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to an automatic climate control system utilizing a rotating panel system. The system includes an enclosed region and a multi-panel solar system. The multi-panel solar system is positioned to extend between the interior and exterior regions of an enclosed region. A third embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for utilizing a plurality of panels to desirably accommodate for visual and thermal forms of solar energy. The method includes positioning a multi-panel solar system in an unobstructed interior to exterior recess and rotating the panels so as to optimally affect the thermal and visual components of the solar energy, depending upon the application.

A solar actuator comprises a top coupler, a bottom coupler, and a plurality of fluidic bellows actuators, wherein a fluidic bellows actuator of the plurality of fluidic bellows actuators moves the top coupler relative to the bottom coupler.