Synchronized solar concentrator array

Abstract

A solar energy collecting device includes a rotation axis to be mounted parallel to the earth's polar axis, a solar energy collector mounted for rotation around the rotation axis at a predetermined rotation speed, the solar energy collector defining a tilt angle with respect to the rotation axis, and a tilt angle adjustment mechanism for automatically and intermittently adjusting the tilt angle. Various configurations of the solar energy collector are possible, and the rotation speed may be one revolution per day or half a revolution per day depending on the solar energy collector configuration. Many drive modes are possible, including rotating continuously throughout a day or rotating during daylight hours and rotating backward or forward at night. The tilt angle adjustment mechanism includes a handle fixed to the solar energy collector and a tilt angle change guide.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 810,808, filed Jun. 5, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to solar energy collection, and in particular, to solar tracking and sunlight concentration and collection. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Effective use of solar energy has been an important research subject. Various applications on concentrated or non-concentrated solar energy have been invented. The main obstacle is the cost. There is no successful for-profit solar utility exists today. Recently solar panels have been widely installed on roof tops, however, solar panel is still expensive because it uses photovoltaic solar cells at non-concentrated solar illumination condition. Photovoltaic solar cell, made from semiconductor materials such as silicon or gallium arsenide, is the m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a polar tracking system for solar energy collection that has a simple structure and is easy to implement.

[0010] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides a solar energy collecting device which includes a rotation axis; a solar energy collector mounted for rotation around the rotation axis, the solar energy collector defining a tilt angle with respect to the rotation axis; a driving mechanism for driving the solar energy collector to rotate around the rotation axis at a predetermined rotation speed during at least part of a day; and a tilt angle adjustment mechanism for automatically and intermittently adjusting the tilt angle. Various configurations of the solar energy collector are possible, and the rotation speed may be one revolution per day or half a revolution per day depending on the solar energy collector configuration. Various drive modes are possible, including rotating continuously throughout a day or rotating during daylight hours and rotating backward or forward at night to a starting position and restarting the rotation the next day.

Problems solved by technology

The main obstacle is the cost.

There is no successful for-profit solar utility exists today.

Recently solar panels have been widely installed on roof tops, however, solar panel is still expensive because it uses photovoltaic solar cells at non-concentrated solar illumination condition.

Photovoltaic solar cell, made from semiconductor materials such as silicon or gallium arsenide, is the most expensive part of the solar panel.

However, solar concentrator usually needs to track sun's motion, and tracking systems tend to be bulky, complicated, expensive, and unreliable and awkward to implement.

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