Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and, with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to improvements to cost-effective systems for concentrating and using solar energy. The present invention co-optimizes the frame and the primary mirrors and secondary concentrator for a cost-effective very high concentration quasi-parabolic dish system that uses no moulded optics for the primary concentration, and also optimizes fabrication jigs for the main components of that design. The present invention also optimizes cell contacts and provides cost effective receiver cooling for dense receiver arrays for very high concentration photovoltaic systems. The present invention also includes a semi-dense receiver array that can provide a higher acceptance angle than a dense receiver array, and finally includes mutual-shading impact minimization methods and apparatus compatible with very high concentration photovoltaic systems.

Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and, with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power.