Autonomous heliostat for solar power plant

A method of operating a heliostat, comprising:

• reflecting at least a first portion of received solar radiation to a collection device with a reflective surface;
• positioning the reflective surface with a positioning mechanism coupled to the reflective surface;
• controlling the positioning mechanism with a controller to reflect at least the first portion of the received solar radiation to the collection device;
• and
• converting a second portion of the received solar radiation to electrical power with a solar power supply, the electrical power provided to the positioning mechanism and the controller.

A heliostat, comprising:

• a reflective means for reflecting at least a first portion of received solar radiation to a collection device;
• a positioning means coupled to the reflective surface for positioning the reflective surface;
• a controller means for controlling the positioning mechanism to reflect at least the first portion of the received solar radiation to the collection device;
• and
• a solar power supply means for converting a second portion of the received solar radiation to electrical power provided to the positioning mechanism and the controller.