Apparatus for automatically directing solar radiation focused by a reflector

A solar power plant, comprising:

• a stationary solar radiation collector;
• a balanced reflector adjustably mounted for low friction movement about a swivel axis for focusing solar radiation;
• an adjusting mechanism for adjusting said reflector to direct the focused solar radiation onto said collector;
• an electric motor for driving said adjusting mechanism having sufficient torque to drive said adjusting mechanism through a reduction gear having a high gear ratio;
• as least two solar cells disposed on said collector, said solar cells being connected in a parallel circuit opposit to one another so that upon irradiation of said solar cells with focused solar radiation, electrical voltages are produced which counteract one another, said parallel connection being connected directly to said electric motor without amplification to be the sole supply of power to said electric motor.

A solar power plant, comprising:

• a stationary solar radiation collector;
• a reflector mounted on low friction bearings and adjustable about a swivel axis for focusing solar radiation;
• an adjusting mechanism for adjusting said reflector to direct the focused solar radiation onto said collector;
• an electric motor with low internal resistance connected to a reduction gear having a high gear ratio for driving said adjusting mechansim;
• and
• at least two solar cells disposed on the side of said collector nearest said reflector, said solar cells being connected in a parallel circuit opposite to one another so that upon irradiation of said solar cells with focused solar radiation, electrical voltages are produced which counteract one another, said parallel connection being connected directly to said electric motor to supply power to said electric motor.