Abstract: A solar energy collection system for converting solar energy to electricity that includes solar arrays mounted on a frame. Each array is set on a tracker head that is supported on a pedestal; each pedestal mounts onto a beam. Elevators pivot the arrays, where each elevator is made up of a shaft with a threaded end coupled to a drive nut. An upper end of each drive nut gimbal mounts to a portion of the tracker head; rotating a lower end of each shaft raises or lowers the drive nut, thereby pivoting each array. The vertical shafts are ganged together and driven by a single motor. Further included with each pedestal are azimuth orientation shafts that also mount to each tracker head. Rotating each orientation shaft adjusts an azimuth of an associated array. The orientation shafts are ganged together and are rotated by a single motor.

Abstract: A solar array for collecting sunlight that is converted into electricity. The array includes an arrangement of solar collectors strategically positioned on a frame to maximize the amount of sunlight collected in relation to the size of the array. The collectors are plate like members with a reflective side and shaped so that sunlight collected by the reflective side is concentrated at a location away from the reflective side. The collectors are recumbently positioned in rows with their respective reflective sides directed away from the array frame. The collectors are spaced apart so that no collector casts shade on any part of another collector and substantially no sunlight between adjacent collectors.

Abstract: An array of solar collectors track the sun based on measured values of power output from the array and from a sun sensor on the array. The sun is tracked by periodically adjusting the altitude and azimuth of the array so the collectors remain pointed at the sun to maximize an amount of solar flux reflected from the collectors. The sun sensor, which detects alignment of the sun, recognizes when relative movement of the sun causes about a 10% reduction in power output of the array. The altitude and azimuth of the array are readjusted based on output from the sun sensor. While the array is being reoriented, power output from the array is monitored, and values for power output versus orientation of the array are recorded. Offset values between the power output, sun sensor output, and the ephemeral equations are calculated by comparing these values during operation.

Abstract: A solar conversion system with a solar collector that is shaped to focus reflected sunlight along an area with a substantially constant flux density. The area shape can be resemble a rectangular, square, circular, or other shape. Included with the system is a solar conversion module having a photovoltaic cell that is alignable with the area. The cell converts the focused reflected sunlight into electrical energy when aligned with the area.

Abstract: A solar conversion system with a solar collector that is shaped to focus reflected sunlight along an area with a substantially constant flux density. The area shape can be resemble a rectangular, square, circular, or other shape. Included with the system is a solar conversion module having a photovoltaic cell that is alignable with the area. The cell converts the focused reflected sunlight into electrical energy when aligned with the area.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system for converting solar energy to electricity that includes solar arrays mounted on a frame. Each array is set on a tracker head that is supported on a pedestal; each pedestal mounts onto a beam. Elevators pivot the arrays, where each elevator is made up of a shaft with a threaded end coupled to a drive nut. An upper end of each drive nut gimbal mounts to a portion of the tracker head; rotating a lower end of each shaft raises or lowers the drive nut, thereby pivoting each array. The vertical shafts are ganged together and driven by a single motor. Further included with each pedestal are azimuth orientation shafts that also mount to each tracker head. Rotating each orientation shaft adjusts an azimuth of an associated array. The orientation shafts are ganged together and are rotated by a single motor.

Abstract: A solar array for collecting sunlight that is converted into electricity. The array includes an arrangement of solar collectors strategically positioned on a frame to maximize the amount of sunlight collected in relation to the size of the array. The collectors are plate like members with a reflective side and shaped so that sunlight collected by the reflective side is concentrated at a location away from the reflective side. The collectors are recumbently positioned in rows with their respective reflective sides directed away from the array frame. The collectors are spaced apart so that no collector casts shade on any part of another collector and substantially no sunlight between adjacent collectors.

Abstract: An array of solar collectors track the sun based on measured values of power output from the array and from a sun sensor on the array. The sun is tracked by periodically adjusting the altitude and azimuth of the array so the collectors remain pointed at the sun to maximize an amount of solar flux reflected from the collectors. The sun sensor, which detects alignment of the sun, recognizes when relative movement of the sun causes about a 10% reduction in power output of the array. The altitude and azimuth of the array are readjusted based on output from the sun sensor. While the array is being reoriented, power output from the array is monitored, and values for power output versus orientation of the array are recorded. Offset values between the power output, sun sensor output, and the ephemeral equations are calculated by comparing these values during operation.

Abstract: A solar conversion system with a solar collector that is shaped to focus reflected sunlight along an area with a substantially constant flux density. The area shape can be resemble a rectangular, square, circular, or other shape. Included with the system is a solar conversion module having a photovoltaic cell that is alignable with the area. The cell converts the focused reflected sunlight into electrical energy when aligned with the area.

Abstract: Concentrated light from a solar collector in a CPV system is conditioned with a final optic element (FOE) that projects the light onto an adjacent photovoltaic cell where it is converted into electricity. The FOE is strategically configured and positioned to control the image formation on the solar cell. Use of this FOE in a CPV system design has large off axis acceptance angles (eg 1.4 degrees at 1000+ suns) and large CAP (eg 0.82). Light through the FOE is deterministically conditioned to provide uniform intensity distribution on the cell over the entire operating range of off axis conditions. Image control provided by the FOE also limits incident angle growth of the image on the solar cell allowing implementation of more compact smaller “f” ratio CPV systems.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system for converting solar energy to electricity that includes solar arrays mounted on a frame. Each array is set on a tracker head that is supported on a pedestal; each pedestal mounts onto a beam. Elevators pivot the arrays, where each elevator is made up of a shaft with a threaded end coupled to a drive nut. An upper end of each drive nut gimbal mounts to a portion of the tracker head; rotating a lower end of each shaft raises or lowers the drive nut, thereby pivoting each array. The vertical shafts are ganged together and driven by a single motor. Further included with each pedestal are azimuth orientation shafts that also mount to each tracker head. Rotating each orientation shaft adjusts an azimuth of an associated array. The orientation shafts are ganged together and are rotated by a single motor.

Abstract: A method of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) packaging of a semiconductor solar cell for converting solar energy into electricity. The method includes affixing a photovoltaic device to a laminated substrate structure that is obtained by an additive or subtractive lamination process, attaching a photovoltaic device to a mounting paddle of the laminated substrate structure, connecting wire bonding of the photovoltaic device to leads of the laminated substrate structure, and applying overmold material to affix the photovoltaic device to the mounting paddle. During the application of the overmold material, a portion of the photovoltaic device is exposed to allow for the collection of the solar energy.

Abstract: A solar collector for concentrating reflected solar energy into an image that is converted into electricity. The collector is configured so that solar energy reflecting from regions of the collector farthest from the image is directed towards the middle region of the image. Alternatively, one or more segments of the collector can be configured to form a corresponding discrete portion of the image; the solar energy forming the portion of the image can be inverted from the solar energy reflecting from the one or more segments. Optionally, the portions created by the one or more segments can overlap.

Abstract: A solar array for collecting sunlight that is converted into electricity. The array includes an arrangement of solar collectors strategically positioned on a frame to maximize the amount of sunlight collected in relation to the size of the array. The collectors are plate like members with a reflective side and shaped so that sunlight collected by the reflective side is concentrated at a location away from the reflective side. The collectors are recumbently positioned in rows with their respective reflective sides directed away from the array frame. The collectors are spaced apart so that no collector casts shade on any part of another collector and substantially no sunlight between adjacent collectors.

Abstract: A solar conversion system with a solar collector that is shaped to focus reflected sunlight along an area with a substantially constant flux density. The area shape can be resemble a rectangular, square, circular, or other shape. Included with the system is a solar conversion module having a photovoltaic cell that is alignable with the area. The cell converts the focused reflected sunlight into electrical energy when aligned with the area.