Wireless controlled battery powered heliostats for solar power plant application

摘要

A remotely powered heliostat system includes a plurality of heliostats each having a reflection panel movably disposed on a structural member. At least one motor is disposed between each heliostat and the structural member to position each heliostat. The plurality of heliostats is further divisible into at least two groups of heliostats, each group operable by one of a plurality of radio frequency receivers electrically connected to each motor. Each radio frequency receiver wirelessly receives a heliostat positioning command for the group from a remote transmitter. A processor analyzes solar position and generates the heliostat positioning command. Encoders on each heliostat keep track of the heliostat position. Each motor is connected to a local battery unit to provide electrical power. The system provides local power to operate each heliostat, and a wireless signal to control heliostat position, eliminating dependence on a single source of power for the heliostats.