Torque transfer between trough collector modules

A trough collector system, comprising:

• a first module comprising a first reflector having a first reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on a linear tube, and a first three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the first reflector opposite the first reflective front surface;
• a second module comprising a second reflector having a second reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on the linear tube, and a second three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the second reflector opposite the second reflective front surface, wherein the first and second modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis of rotation parallel to the linear tube;
• and
• a torque transfer connection directly connecting the first three-dimensional structural lattice to the second three-dimensional structural lattice at a location removed from the axis of rotation, wherein the torque transfer connection comprises a spanning member that attaches to the first three-dimensional structural lattice and attaches to the second three-dimensional structural lattice, and wherein the and wherein the spanning member is not parallel to the axis of rotation.

A method of assembling a solar collector assembly, the method comprising:

• placing a first module on first and second pylons, the first module comprising a first reflector having a first reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on a linear tube, and a first three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the first reflector opposite the first reflective front surface;
• and
• placing a second module on the second and a third pylon, the second module comprising a second reflector having a second reflective front surface shaped to concentrate incoming radiation on the linear tube, and a second three-dimensional structural lattice attached to the second reflector opposite the second reflective front surface;
• wherein the first and second modules are constrained to rotate about a common axis of rotation substantially parallel to the linear tube, and the method further comprises
• attaching a spanning member to the first three-dimensional structural lattice;
• and
• attaching the spanning member to the second three-dimensional structural lattice;
• wherein, wherein the spanning member is not parallel to the axis of rotation.