Method of supporting a solar energy collection unit

Abstract

A method ( 92 ) of supporting a solar energy collection unit ( 22, 54, 76 ) of a solar energy system ( 20, 52, 78 ) calls for redistributing ( 96 ) earth at a worksite ( 26 ) to form an elevated earthen structure ( 24 ) having a sun facing surface ( 28 ), compacting ( 102 ) the earthen structure ( 24 ), and arranging ( 106 ) the solar energy collection unit ( 22, 54, 76 ) upon the sun facing surface ( 28 ) of the earthen structure ( 24 ). The earthen structure ( 24 ) may include internal strengthening material ( 32 ) detached from the energy collection unit ( 22, 54, 76 ) and the earthen structure ( 24 ) may be encased in a binder material ( 34 ) for additional stability. Channels ( 48, 50 ) may be provided proximate the earthen structure ( 24 ) for fluid supply and release functions.

1 . A method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system comprising: 
 redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface;    compacting said earthen structure; and    arranging said solar energy collection unit upon said sun facing surface of said earthen structure.    
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising forming said sun facing surface to have a first surface area at least as great as a second surface area of said solar energy collection unit.  
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising conforming said sun facing surface of said earthen structure to a shape of said solar energy collection unit.  
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising aligning said earthen structure to provide shade for a portion of said solar energy system.  
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising utilizing said earthen structure for thermal management of said solar energy collection unit.  
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising orienting said sun facing surface at an elevation angle from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees.  
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said solar energy collection unit comprises enclosed members, and said arranging operation comprises aligning a longitudinal axis each of said enclosed members with a slope of said sun facing surface.  
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said worksite includes non-flat terrain, said energy collection unit is one of a plurality of energy collection units of said solar energy system, and said redistributing operation comprises: 
 excavating said non-flat terrain to create terraces; and    forming a plurality of earthen structures on said terraces for arranging said plurality of energy collection units thereupon.    
   
   
       9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising encasing said earthen structure in a binder material.  
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said binder material comprises adobe.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising incorporating a non-earthen strengthening material internal to said earthen structure.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said non-earthen strengthening material is detached from said solar energy collection unit.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing a channel proximate said earthen structure;    directing a fluid through said channel; and    supplying a fluid inlet of said solar energy collection unit with said fluid from said channel.    
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said providing operation comprises excavating said earth to form said channel as an open channel.  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said channel is an enclosed member, and said providing operation comprises installing said enclosed member proximate said earthen structure.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing a channel proximate said earthen structure;    supplying said channel with a fluid from a fluid outlet of said solar energy collection unit; and    directing said fluid through said channel.    
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said providing operation comprises excavating said earth to form said channel as an open channel.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said channel is an enclosed member, and said providing operation comprises installing said enclosed member proximate said earthen structure.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said solar energy collection unit is a photosynthetic bioreactor, said earthen structure supporting said photosynthetic bioreactor.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  wherein said solar energy system includes a plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors, and said redistributing operation comprises excavating said earth at said worksite to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures for supporting said plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors.  
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said worksite is at least one hundred acres, and said method comprises utilizing substantially an entirety of said at least one hundred acres to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures for supporting a plurality of solar energy collection units.  
   
   
       22 . A method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system comprising: 
 redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface;    forming said sun facing surface to have a first surface area at least as great as a second surface area of said solar energy collection unit;    orienting said sun facing surface at an elevation angle from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees;    compacting said earthen structure; and    arranging said solar energy collection unit upon said sun facing surface of said earthen structure.    
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising aligning said earthen structure to provide shade for a portion of said solar energy system.  
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said worksite includes non-flat terrain, said energy collection unit is one of a plurality of energy collection units of said solar energy system, and said redistributing operation comprises: 
 excavating said non-flat terrain to create terraces; and    forming a plurality of earthen structures on said terraces for arranging said plurality of energy collection units thereupon.    
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising encasing said earthen structure in a binder material.  
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 22  further comprising incorporating a non-earthen strengthening material internal to said earthen structure, said non-earthen strengthening material being detached from said solar energy collection unit.  
   
   
       27 . A method of supporting a photosynthetic bioreactor of a solar energy system comprising: 
 redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface;    orienting said sun facing surface at an elevation angle from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees;    compacting said earthen structure;    providing a channel proximate said earthen structure;    arranging said photosynthetic bioreactor upon said sun facing surface of said earthen structure;    directing a supply fluid through said channel; and    supplying a fluid inlet of said photosynthetic bioreactor with said supply fluid from said channel.    
   
   
       28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  further comprising forming said sun facing surface to have a first surface area at least as great as a second surface area of said photosynthetic bioreactor.  
   
   
       29 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said photosynthetic bioreactor comprises enclosed members, and said arranging operation comprises aligning a longitudinal axis of each of said enclosed members with a slope of said sun facing surface.  
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said channel is a first channel, and said method further comprises: 
 providing a second channel proximate said earthen structure;    supplying said second channel with a release fluid from a fluid outlet of said photosynthetic bioreactor; and    directing said release fluid through said second channel.    
   
   
       31 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said solar energy system includes a plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors, and said redistributing operation comprises excavating said worksite to form a plurality of elevated earthen structures for supporting said plurality of photosynthetic bioreactors.