heliostat
Sun-following reflector
A heliostat is a mirror or array of mirrors that automatically tracks the sun's movement across the sky, keeping reflected sunlight directed at a fixed target.
These devices are essential components in solar power plants, where they concentrate sunlight onto a central receiver to generate heat for electricity production.
Heliostats also find use in scientific instruments and architectural daylighting systems where consistent solar illumination is needed.
Energy derived from sunlight
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- photovoltaicLight-to-electricity converting
- solar arrayLinked photovoltaic modules
insolation · molten salt · renewable · solar farm · megawatt · collector · absorber
Reflective viewing surface
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- concentratorDevice that intensifies beams
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- towerTall slender edifice
actuator · alignment · reflector · azimuth · elevation · control system · mounting · pedestal
Returned light or thought
- beamStructural support member
- specularMirror-surfaced, image-returning
- focal pointCenter of interest
- refractionWave bending between media
collimation · aberration · spillage · shadowing · blocking · glint · radiance
Facility for celestial study
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- coronagraphStellar light-blocking telescope attachment
- chromosphereStellar atmospheric zone
photosphere · sunspot · transit · eclipse · solar research · spectrograph
Accuracy of measurement
- automationSelf-operating system design
- mechatronicsIntegrated automation engineering
- kinematicsStudy of movement itself
- structural designPlanning load-bearing frameworks
feedback loop · positioning · servo · stepper motor · encoder · gear ratio · stiffness · maintenance
solar power
Energy derived from sunlight
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- photovoltaicLight-to-electricity converting
solar array · insolation · molten salt · renewable · solar farm · megawatt · collector · absorber
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- concentratorDevice that intensifies beams
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
tower · actuator · alignment · reflector · azimuth · elevation · control system · mounting · pedestal · facet
reflection
Returned light or thought
- beamStructural support member
- specularMirror-surfaced, image-returning
- focal pointCenter of interest
refraction · collimation · aberration · spillage · shadowing · blocking · glint · radiance
observatory
Facility for celestial study
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
- coronagraphStellar light-blocking telescope attachment
chromosphere · photosphere · sunspot · transit · eclipse · solar research · spectrograph
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- automationSelf-operating system design
- mechatronicsIntegrated automation engineering
- kinematicsStudy of movement itself
structural design · feedback loop · positioning · servo · stepper motor · encoder · gear ratio · stiffness · maintenance · durability
heliostatsundial
Shadow-based timekeeper
shade · blackout curtain · obscurer · light trap · absorber
heliostatsunshade
Device blocking direct light
parasol · awning · brise-soleil · sun umbrella · shade structure
static, stationary, helium, helios, heliotrope, heliograph, heliocentric, heliocentrism, heliotropism