A method for moving an end effector based on receipt of sunlight, the end effector divided into a first and second upper quadrant located above a Y-axis that corresponds to a solar azimuth and a first and second lower quadrant located below the Y-axis, the first upper and first lower quadrant located on a first side of an X-axis that corresponds to a solar angle and the second upper and second lower quadrant located on a second side of the X-axis, determining a vertical difference between an average of the illuminance received in first and second upper quadrants and an average of the illuminance received in first and second lower quadrants, determining a lateral difference between an average of the illuminance received in the first upper quadrant and the first lower quadrant and an average of the illuminance received in the second upper quadrant and the second lower quadrant, moving end effector along the X-axis in response to the vertical difference being greater than a vertical tolerance; and moving the end effector along the Y-axis in response to the lateral difference being greater than a lateral tolerance.

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 solar panel assembly where a solar panel(s) is mounted on a support pole that is pivotally attached to a footing. By adjusting the angle of the support pole relative to ground, the orientation of the solar panel can be changed in full-axis directions. A plurality of the solar panel assemblies can be arranged into an array of rows and columns. Each row includes a row support cable that is connected to each one of the solar panel assemblies in the row to simultaneously adjust an angle of each of the solar panels in the row. In addition, each column includes a column support cable that is connected to each one of the solar panel assemblies in the column which may be used to simultaneously adjust an angle of each of the solar panels in the column.

A solar panel assembly where a solar panel(s) is mounted on a support pole that is pivotally attached to a footing. By adjusting the angle of the support pole relative to ground, the orientation of the solar panel can be changed in full-axis directions. A plurality of the solar panel assemblies can be arranged into an array of rows and columns. Each row includes a row support cable that is connected to each one of the solar panel assemblies in the row to simultaneously adjust an angle of each of the solar panels in the row. In addition, each column includes a column support cable that is connected to each one of the solar panel assemblies in the column which may be used to simultaneously adjust an angle of each of the solar panels in the column.

An image/video capture apparatus is provided, to capture image data of a photovoltaic panel (101) and surroundings, and a controller (502) recognizes a category corresponding to the image data, and generates different instructions to control rotation of a photovoltaic tracker (102), to remove dust or snow accumulating on the photovoltaic panel (101). This does not need continuous heating, but is simple and efficient, saves electric energy, and resolves a technical problem that a conventional snow removal method of heating has low efficiency and wastes electric energy. In addition, a corresponding controller (1200) is further provided.

An assembly for converting motion, the assembly comprising a first arm rotatable about a first fixed pivot; a second arm rotatable about a second fixed pivot, the second fixed pivot spaced apart from the first fixed pivot; a third arm pivotably connected to the second arm; a first connecting arm extending between the first arm and the third arm, the first connecting arm pivotably connected to the first arm spaced and pivotably connected to the third arm; and a second connecting arm extending between the first arm and the second arm, the second connecting arm pivotably connected to the first arm and pivotably connected to the second arm. The assembly finds use in supporting and moving components of a building. In one embodiment, the assembly finds use in deploying a solar panel array.

A solar power collection system includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) panel assemblies positioned by one or more tracker drive units. Each PV panel assembly includes at least one PV panel comprising PV cells that collect solar energy and a base attached to the PV panel. The base includes at least one curved rocker surface that presents a first convex surface in at least a first direction to a substrate. The base is positionable on the substrate with the first direction aligned with an east-west orientation. The tracker drive unit is mechanically coupled to the base via a selected one of: (i) a drive rod; (ii) a closed loop cable; (iii) a torsion mechanism to impart a selected amounting of rolling-rocking movement of the base across the substrate to position the PV panel to efficiently receive sunlight.

A solar power collection system includes one or more photovoltaic (PV) panel assemblies positioned by one or more tracker drive units. Each PV panel assembly includes at least one PV panel comprising PV cells that collect solar energy and a base attached to the PV panel. The base includes at least one curved rocker surface that presents a first convex surface in at least a first direction to a substrate. The base is positionable on the substrate with the first direction aligned with an east-west orientation. The tracker drive unit is mechanically coupled to the base via a selected one of: (i) a drive rod; (ii) a closed loop cable; (iii) a torsion mechanism to impart a selected amounting of rolling-rocking movement of the base across the substrate to position the PV panel to efficiently receive sunlight.

An improved bushing assembly for a solar tracker is provided. The bushing assembly includes a bushing that is seated within a ring-shaped bracket. The bushing includes an annular ridge that is disposed within an annular channel in the bracket. Alternatively, the bracket includes an annular ridge that is disposed within an annular channel in the bushing. In each configuration, the bushing is retained in position during installation of the bracket. The bushing defines an internal passage for a solar tracker crossbar and provides complete rotational freedom for the crossbar about its lengthwise axis and limited rotational freedom for the crossbar about the remaining orthogonal axes. Additional features including side skirts for minimizing the entry of debris between the bushing and the bracket, a resilient latch for securing bracket sections together, and vertical openings in the bracket sections to allow debris to escape.

A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.