A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam. The spring counter-balance assembly may include at least one coil spring and a rotational stop. The bushing may be made of an elastomeric material and define one or more air spaces.

A bearing assembly of a power generation structure including, a rail; and a housing adapted to support the rail; where the housing includes a fixed housing portion attached to a support beam, and an adjustable housing portion attached to rail, where a low friction material is present at an interface between an exterior surface of rail and an interior surface of the adjustable housing portion, where the adjustable housing portion is capable of self-aligning adjustment of at least a portion of the rail out of alignment with a central axis of the support beam.

A solar tracker assembly is provided which includes a support column, a torque tube or torsion beam connected to the support column, a mounting mechanism attached to the torque tube or torsion beam, a drive system connected to the torque tube or torsion beam, and a spring counter-balance assembly connected to the torque tube or torsion beam. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam, and one or more compressible cords made of a flexible material. The compressible cords are located between the bushing and the bearing housing and provide damping during rotational movement of the solar tracker assembly. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly is provided including at least one top bracket and at least one bottom bracket, at least one spring, a damper, and a bracket. An exemplary spring counter-balance assembly comprises a bearing housing and a bushing disposed within the bearing housing and configured to be slideably mounted onto the torque tube or torsion beam. The spring counter-balance assembly may include at least one coil spring and a rotational stop. The bushing may be made of an elastomeric material and define one or more air spaces.

A deployable solar array apparatus. There is a telescoping mast, being actuatable between an extended mode and a retracted mode; a pivoting head, coupled to a top portion of the telescoping mast; a plurality of arms, circumferentially and pivotally coupled to the head and extending outwardly therefrom, and actuatable between an extended mode and a retracted mode; and a plurality of solar panels coupled to exterior surfaces of the head and arms.

A device for concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, said device comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion having a cover film element with a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, the reflector film sub-dividing the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces and having a curvature in an inflated state. The device also comprises a pivoting apparatus, with which the concentrator cushion is pivotable, a retaining apparatus secured to the pivoting apparatus, and an adjusting device for adjusting the curvature of the reflector film. The retaining apparatus comprises a lower longitudinal member which is connected to a bottom film element of the concentrator cushion. The adjusting device comprises a tensioning element between the lower longitudinal member and the reflector film, said tensioning element being connected to the reflector film and to the lower longitudinal member.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus mounted to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus secured to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.

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.