Solar energy collection system

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system will be described that includes a collector row and at least one stand that supports the collector row. Multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors are arranged end to end along a longitudinal axis to form the collector row. Each collector includes a reflector, at least one solar receiver and a support structure. The support structure supports the solar receivers and the reflector. The reflectors of the collector row are configured to have a range of tilt angles that are at least ±70 degrees around the pivot axis. In various embodiments, the reflectors of the adjacent collectors are arranged to collectively form a substantially continuous reflective surface along the length of the collector row.

1 . A solar energy collection system that includes a collector row that tracks the sun in at least one dimension by rotating about a pivot axis and at least one stand that helps support the collector row, the solar energy collection system further comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinally adjacent collectors that are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis to form the collector row, each collector comprising:
 a reflector; 
 at least one solar receiver; and 
 a support structure that supports the at least one solar receiver and the reflector, the reflectors of the adjacent collectors being arranged to collectively form a substantially continuous reflective surface along the length of the collector row wherein the reflectors of the collector row are configured to have a range of tilt angles that are at least ±70° around the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the pivot axis for the collector row is positioned substantially behind the reflectors of the collector row to help facilitate said range of tilt angles. 
     
     
         3 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 2  wherein:
 each solar collector has a center of gravity that is positioned behind the reflector; and 
 the pivot axis is positioned below and away from the center of gravity to help facilitate said range of tilt angles. 
 
     
     
         4 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein there is a gap between the reflectors of adjacent collectors in the collector row that is less than approximately 10 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the reflectors of the adjacent collectors overlap to form the substantially continuous reflective surface. 
     
     
         6 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein no part of the support structure of each collector extends longitudinally beyond the reflector of the collector. 
     
     
         7 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the range of tilt angles are at least ±80° around the pivot axis. 
     
     
         8 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the reflector of each collector is configured to direct incident light to the at least one solar receiver using a single reflection. 
     
     
         9 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the reflector of each collector is substantially concave. 
     
     
         10 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one solar receiver of each collector is positioned at the periphery of the collector; and 
 the at least one reflector is arranged to direct incident sunlight outward towards the at least one solar receiver at the periphery of the collector. 
 
     
     
         11 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one solar receiver of each collector includes a first solar receiver and a second solar receiver, each solar receiver having a photovoltaic cell; 
 the first and second solar receivers of each collector are positioned over the center of the collector; and 
 the faces of the photovoltaic cells on the first and second solar receivers face outward and away from one another. 
 
     
     
         12 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein no part of the at least one stand, the support structure, or any other component is positioned in front of the reflector, whereby no component of the solar energy collection system shades the reflectors of the collector row during normal operation of the solar energy collection system. 
     
     
         13 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein:
 the reflector of each collector includes a substantially concave reflective surface that is arranged to direct incident sunlight to the at least one solar receiver using a single reflection; 
 the at least one solar receiver of each collector includes a first solar receiver and a second solar receiver, each solar receiver having a photovoltaic cell, the first and second solar receivers being positioned adjacent to one another over a center of the collector, wherein faces of the photovoltaic cells of the first and second solar receivers face away from one another; and 
 the pivot axis is positioned behind the reflector of each collector and sufficiently low to facilitate said range of tilt angles. 
 
     
     
         14 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 1  wherein:
 the reflector of each collector includes a substantially concave reflective surface that is arranged to direct incident sunlight to the at least one solar receiver using a single reflection; 
 the at least one solar receiver of each collector are positioned at the periphery of the collector, the reflector being arranged to reflect incident light outward towards the at least one solar receiver at the periphery of the collector; and 
 the pivot axis is positioned behind the reflector of each collector and sufficiently low to facilitate said range of tilt angles. 
 
     
     
         15 . A solar energy collection system that includes a collector row that tracks the sun in at least one dimension by rotating about a pivot axis and at least one stand that helps support the collector row, the solar energy collection system further comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinally adjacent collectors that are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis to form the collector row, each collector comprising:
 a reflector; 
 at least one solar receiver; and 
 a support structure supporting the reflector and the at least one solar receiver wherein no part of the at least one stand, the support structure, or any other component is positioned in front of the reflector, whereby no component of the solar energy collection system shades the reflectors of the collector row during normal operation of the solar energy collection system and wherein the reflectors of the collector row are configured to have a range of tilt angles that are at least ±70° around the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         16 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 15  wherein the reflectors of the adjacent collectors collectively form a substantially continuous reflective surface along the length of collector row. 
     
     
         17 . A solar energy collection system as recited in  claim 15  wherein:
 the reflector of each collector includes a substantially concave reflective surface that is arranged to direct incident sunlight to the at least one solar receiver using a single reflection; 
 the at least one solar receiver of each collector includes a first solar receiver and a second solar receiver, each solar receiver having a photovoltaic cell, the first and second solar receivers being positioned adjacent to one another over a center of the collector, wherein faces of the photovoltaic cells of the first and second solar receivers face away from one another; and 
 the pivot axis is positioned behind the reflector of each collector and sufficiently low to facilitate said range of tilt angles. 
 
     
     
         18 . A power generation plant that includes a plurality of collector rows, each collector row extending along a longitudinal axis and tracking the sun in at least one dimension by rotating about a pivot axis, each of the collector rows comprising:
 a plurality of longitudinally adjacent collectors that are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis to form the collector row, each collector comprising:
 a reflector; 
 at least one solar receiver; and 
 a support structure that supports the at least one solar receiver and the reflector, the reflectors of the adjacent collectors being arranged to collectively form a substantially continuous reflective surface along the length of the collector row wherein the reflectors of the collector row are configured to have a range of tilt angles that are at least ±70° around the pivot axis. 
   
     
     
         19 . A power generation plant as recited in  claim 18  wherein each collector is configured such that no part of the support structure or any other component is positioned in front of the reflector, whereby no component shades the reflectors of the collector rows during normal operation of the power generation plant. 
     
     
         20 . A power generation plant as recited in  claim 18  wherein:
 the reflector of each collector includes a substantially concave reflective surface that is arranged to direct incident sunlight to the at least one solar receiver using a single reflection; 
 the at least one solar receiver of each collector includes a first solar receiver and a second solar receiver, each solar receiver having a photovoltaic cell, the first and second solar receivers being positioned adjacent to one another over a center of the collector, wherein faces of the photovoltaic cells of the first and second solar receivers face away from one another; and 
 the pivot axis is positioned behind the reflector of each collector and sufficiently low to facilitate said range of tilt angles.