Abstract: To position a solar oven radiation collection device, a structural extension assembly extends in a radial direction with respect to a structure. A moveable transport provides linear movement of the solar oven radiation collection device along an axis of the structural extension assembly. A linear deploy electric motor is used to control linear movement of the solar oven radiation collection device along the axis of the structural extension assembly. A solar altitude electric motor is used to adjust orientation of the solar oven radiation collection device to take into account changes in solar altitude with respect to time. A solar azimuth electric motor is used to adjust orientation of the solar oven radiation collection device to take into account changes in azimuth with respect to time.

Abstract: A solar panel cleaning system includes: an automated cleaning device for cleaning a surface of a reference cell panel; a cleaning device controller in communication with a motor of the automated cleaning device, the cleaning device controller configured to receive a signal corresponding to measurement of a current of photovoltaic system. The cleaning device controller activates the automated cleaning device to clean a surface of the reference cell panel when the received signal indicates that a measurement of the current of the photovoltaic system is to be taken.

Abstract: The disclosure herein includes one or more methods for cleaning photovoltaic panels, which includes using cleaning assemblies for photovoltaic panels that may each include: 1) a track coupled to the photovoltaic panel; 2) a housing coupled to the photovoltaic panel; 3) a drive motor coupled to the housing; 4) a drive wheel coupled to the drive motor, wherein the wheel is capable of rolling on the track; 5) a vacuum pump having a suction head coupled to the housing; and/or 6) an air pump having an ionizing electrode.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a photovoltaic cell including a sun tracker, a top surface configured to generate electrical energy from the incident sunlight, and a bottom surface configured to thermally dispel heat generated by the photovoltaic cell; at least one mirror including a reflective surface; a plurality of actuators securing the at least one mirror the photovoltaic cell; at least one actuator pump connected to the plurality of actuators and configured to extend or retract the plurality of actuators and adjust the distance of the at least one mirror from the top surface; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic cell; and a fluid pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to circulate the fluid through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: This photovoltaic system includes: a support portion; a photovoltaic panel supported by the support portion so as to be able to take an orientation at any angle in each of azimuth and elevation; a drive device configured to change the orientation of the photovoltaic panel; and a control device configured to cause, during power generation, the drive device to drive the photovoltaic panel such that sun light hits the photovoltaic panel, the control device configured to, when executing a cleaning mode, control the drive device such that the photovoltaic panel takes an orientation that facilitates removal of attached substance to a light receiving surface of the photovoltaic panel by use of at least one of natural phenomena including rain, wind, dew condensation, and gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of collecting solar energy having a variable position for optimizing sunlight collection and for use in a heating and/or cooling system. The system includes a solar collector apparatus, a collector support frame assembly, a sun position tracking apparatus, a fluid transfer pump, a fluid storage tank, an insulated pipe for connecting the fluid pump to the storage tank and the solar collector, a differential temperature controller, and a safety override relay controller. The system includes a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing having an aluminum welded tube as reinforcement and method of making PEX tubing having an inner PEX layer and an outer polyethylene layer with an intermediate aluminum tube enveloped by adhesive layers for joining the inner and outer polyethylene layers with the aluminum tube. Carbon black particles are included in the outer layer of polyethylene material.

Abstract: A device is provided for the air-based solar thermal generation of process heat in order to assist in drying processes. The device may add the solar-thermally generated hot air as a function of the relative temperature of the solar-thermally generated hot air as a partial flow of the process air generated by other systems.

Abstract: A drive can include a positional sensor within an outer housing of the drive so as to provide an output indicative of a position of the drive. The positional sensor can be an inclinometer. The inclinometer can be used for feedback control of an inclination of the drive. The drive can further include control electronics within the same housing, so as to provide feedback control of a motor of the drive. The control electronics can include an input for receiving a requested inclination and can be configured to drive the motor until the inclinometer outputs a signal indicative of the requested angle.

Abstract: In a hot water supply system having a solar heater that heats a heating medium with absorbed solar heat, a cogeneration unit that heats the medium by heat exhausted from an engine, a hot water supply unit with a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging between the medium and water supplied from a water supply source to generate the hot water, a medium circulator that circulates the medium among the solar heater, cogeneration unit and heat exchanger, an electric heater that heats the hot water with the power generated by the generator, a heat absorption amount to be adsorbed by the solar heater is estimated and operations of the cogeneration unit and the electric heater are controlled based on the estimated heat absorption amount, thereby enabling to improve energy efficiency of the entire system.

Abstract: Adherence to flux or resultant measurable parameter limits, ranges, or patterns can be achieved by directing heliostat mounted mirrors to focus on aiming points designated on the surface of a solar receiver. Different heliostats can be directed to different aiming points, and a heliostat can be directed to different aiming points at different times. The cumulative flux distribution resulting from directing a plurality of heliostats to any aiming point on a receiver surface can be predicted by using statistical methods to calculate the expected beam projection for each individual heliostat or alternatively for a group of heliostats. Control of the heliostats in a solar power system can include designating aiming points on a receiver from time to time and assigning heliostats to aiming points from time to time in accordance with an optimization goal.

Abstract: A solar concentrator calibration tool that compensates for inconsistencies in the fabrication, assembly and installation of a solar collector system, permitting the solar collector to perform optimally. The calibration tool provides feedback information to a supervisory control processor, allowing the processor to compare the expected position of the sun to the “actual” position found by the calibration tool. The processor then generates a calibration signal, thereafter used by the collector's movement control mechanism, to compensate the tracking of the solar collector to accurately follow the movement of the sun, unconstrained by the effects of the construction inconsistencies.

Abstract: A solar energy alignment and collection system includes at least two solar energy receivers having a central focal point, with each of the at least two solar energy receivers generating an energy output. An actuation system is operatively coupled to the at least two solar energy receivers and is configured and disposed to shift the solar energy receivers along at least one axis. A control system, operatively linked to the solar receivers and the actuation system, senses the energy output of each solar energy receiver and shifts the actuation system along the at least one axis causing solar energy to be directed at the central focal point. When solar energy is directed at the central focal point, the energy output of each solar energy receiver is substantially identical.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to operating sun-tracking assemblies in response to one or more wind parameters or conditions. By judiciously reorienting one or more sun-tracking assemblies in response to detected or predicted wind conditions, the potential for wind- damage may be reduced. Some of the sun-tracking assemblies may act as a wind buffer for more fragile or sensitive components, thereby protecting them from damage. Such wind- sensitive components may be other sun-tracking assemblies arranged downwind from the reoriented assemblies. The downwind sun-tracking assemblies may continue to operate normally or substantially normally (i.e., to track the sun) despite the presence of the wind. During times of reduced or no wind, the sun-tracking assemblies may continue to track the sun until wind conditions require reorientation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aiming heliostats toward a receiver. One of the methods includes directing a first subset of a set of heliostats to reflect solar rays toward a first location within an aperture of a receiver and directing a second subset of the set of heliostats to reflect solar rays toward one or more second locations within the aperture of the receiver. The solar rays reflected toward the first location provide solar heat to at least a first flow path of a working fluid in an engine assembly coupled to the receiver. The solar rays reflected toward the one or more second locations provide solar heat to a second flow path of the working fluid. The first and second flow paths correspond to heating at first and second stages respectively within the engine assembly, which is configured to generate power from the solar rays reflected to the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.

Abstract: In a hot water supply system having a solar heater that heats a heating medium with absorbed solar heat, a cogeneration unit that heats the medium by heat exhausted from an engine, a hot water supply unit with a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging between the medium and water supplied from a water supply source to generate the hot water, a medium circulator that circulates the medium among the solar heater, cogeneration unit and heat exchanger, an electric heater that heats the hot water with the power generated by the generator, a heat absorption amount to be adsorbed by the solar heater is estimated and operations of the cogeneration unit and the electric heater are controlled based on the estimated heat absorption amount, thereby enabling to improve energy efficiency of the entire system.

Abstract: A solar-panel unit is provided with: an attachment structure; at least one solar panel, which is delimited by an extensive plane surface of incidence of the solar radiation and is connected to the attachment structure; and a hinging assembly, set between the attachment structure and the solar panel, to enable rotation of the solar panel with respect to the attachment structure about an inclined hinge axis forming an angle smaller than 90° with a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A collector includes a convergent lens (2) having a focal distance f and an image focal plane (PFI). The convergent lens (2) defines one of the walls of a casing (1) defined by two pairs of side walls (4a, 4c), a bottom wall (3) and a front wall defined by the lens (2), the side and bottom walls on the inside of the casing being reflective, and the depth p of the casing being lower than the focal distance f of the lens so that after multiple reflections, the ray beam (R1, R2) thus reflected is concentrated on a final image focus (I?) located inside the casing, the collector including a mobile receptor (6a) held inside the concentrated beam or in a position at least intersecting the beam by elements controlling the movement of the collector (6a) with that of the beam.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning system for solar panels has a time controller, a detection device, a perfusion device, a driving device and a cleaning device. Based on predetermined time values, execution signals are sent to the perfusion device, the driving device and the detection device to implement prompt assessment of the need for cleaning and cleaning, if warranted. Also provided is an automatic cleaning method using the system.

Abstract: A detector is used on a solar panel to detect the strength of the wind blowing at it. A height-adjustable support decreases the height of the solar panel, based on the wind strength detection, for protecting the solar panel from potential damages caused by strong winds.

Abstract: A mount and tracking mechanism for solar panels and antennae. The tracking mechanism comprises electric motor actuators which operate a small gear reducer drive. The output of the small reducer drive is connected to the input of a large gear reducer drive. The output of the large gear reducer drive moves the solar panels or antennae. This arrangement results in a substantial increase in the torque of the output shaft of the large gear reducer drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to track the position of the sun and direct an object to the direction of the sun, regardless of weather conditions or geographical location, among other disruptive or interrupting factors. The object may include a solar collector, solar cell, or test panel, among other possible devices or applications requiring near continuous exposure to rays of the sun. The apparatus uses a GPS device to determine the position of the object on the earth. The apparatus includes a controller operatively coupling to the GPS device. The controller calculates the relative position of the sun with respect to the object. The controller operatively couples to a positioning system. The positioning system includes a first drive and a second drive coupled to the object. Commands from the controller operate the positioning system to articulate the object and automatically direct it towards the relative position of the sun.

Abstract: A solar collector tracking system that has a solar collection device having multiple lens assemblies mounted on its front surface. An exoskeleton structure is secured to the rear surface of the solar collection device and it is pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to the front end of an azimuth platform assembly. A hydraulic elevation actuator is pivotally mounted in the azimuth platform assembly about a horizontal axis and the front end of its piston rod is pivotally connected to the rear surface of the solar collection device and this allows it to be pivoted approximately 90 degrees between a vertical operating position and a horizontal storage position. The azimuth platform assembly is journaled on the top end of a tower extending up from the ground. A tubular post is rigidly secured to the top end of the post. A drive head extends horizontally from the tubular post and it has a pivot pin that extends upwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A directing and concentrating solar energy collector with a concentrating reflector and one or more cooperating directing reflectors concentrates solar radiation to a substantially narrow and straight line of concentration. The directing reflectors, being perpendicular to the concentrating reflector, confine the zones of concentration at the line of concentration. A stationary optimizing energy converter having multiple energy conversion sections receives the concentrated radiation, converts part of it to electricity, with another part to thermal energy. A building includes multiple collectors in an energy collection system, with one variation of the collectors used under a transparent roof and another inside a transparent wall. The concentrating reflector is provided either with single axis tracking, or with no tracking at all, enabling different installations and having different advantages.

Abstract: In a method for concentrating solar energy waveform energy is directed to a predetermined region of the atmosphere located a pre-established distance above a surface of the earth. The directing of the energy is controlled so as to modulate an index of refraction of air in the predetermined region of the atmosphere to produce a predetermined refraction index pattern in the region. The distribution of solar radiation is modified as it passes through the atmospheric region to thereby concentrate the solar radiation at a predetermined location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved moveable-collector, solar energy concentrating system incorporating an automatic safety means. In the present invention, if there is a failure in a solar-heated fluid transfer system, a failure in the positioning means for a reflected solar energy collector, or a failure in power to the system, then the collector is automatically moved out of an optimal position in a predetermined focal collection zone.

Abstract: A system for collecting solar radiation includes a laser source for emitting, along a preselected path, radiation having a wavelength absorbable by at least one type of atmospheric molecule. Radiation directing components such as lenses or deformable mirror segments are disposed in the transmission path for directing the laser radiation from the source to a predetermined target region of the atmosphere located a pre-established distance above a surface of the earth. Control componentry is operatively connected to the directing components for controlling the operation thereof to modulate an index of refraction of air in the predetermined target region of the atmosphere to produce in that region a predetermined refractive index pattern such as an atmospheric Fresnel lens for concentrating incoming solar radiation on a solar energy collector. The control componentry is operatively connected to the laser source for timing the emission of radiation therefrom.