Systems and methods for collecting solar energy using a parabolic trough solar collector

A method comprising:

• rotating each of a plurality of primary reflectors around a respective rotation axis, wherein each primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror and a pivot arm extending behind the primary reflector opposite the elongated curved mirror, wherein the rotation axis of each primary reflector is fixed and located within the respective pivot arm positioned at a point behind the primary reflector, wherein each pivot arm is rotatably coupled to a frame structure;
• and
• reflecting light focused from the plurality of primary reflectors upon a receiver assembly mounted on the frame structure, the receiver assembly comprising a plurality of receivers, each primary reflector corresponding to a different respective receiver of the plurality of receivers such that each primary reflector reflects light focused upon the respective corresponding receiver;
• wherein each receiver includes a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes of the plurality of receivers define a first plane, wherein the rotation axis of each primary reflector and the longitudinal axis of the respective corresponding receiver form a second plane that is fixed and remains perpendicular to the first plane;
• and
• wherein each primary reflector includes a same angle of rotation relative to the respective corresponding receiver.

A system comprising:

• a water heating system;
• and
• a solar collector device comprising:
• a receiver assembly mounted on a frame structure, the receiver assembly comprising:
• a plurality of receivers, each receiver including a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axes of the plurality of receivers define a first plane;
• a heat transfer tube coupled to the water heating system;
• and
• a plurality of primary reflectors, each primary reflector corresponding to a different respective receiver of the plurality of receivers, wherein each primary reflector comprises an elongated curved mirror, a pivot arm extending behind the primary reflector opposite the elongated curved mirror, and a rotation axis that is fixed and located within the pivot arm positioned at a point behind the primary reflector;
• wherein each pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the frame structure such that the respective primary reflector may rotate about the rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis of each primary reflector and the longitudinal axis of the respective corresponding receiver form a second plane that is fixed and remains perpendicular to the first plane;
• wherein each primary reflector includes a same angle of rotation relative to the respective corresponding receiver;
• and
• wherein each primary reflector reflects light focused upon the respective corresponding receiver.