Patent Publication Number: US-2021181453-A1

Title: Mobile solar refraction device

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure is generally related to solar systems, and in particular, to refractive solar systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hydrocarbons are currently burned to produce energy for many purposes, including power generation and industrial processes. However, there is a desire to use renewable energy sources, such as solar energy produced by the Sun, for such processes as solar energy can be used to provide heating and illumination and to generate electrical energy. Photovoltaic cells, for example, are capable of converting solar energy into electricity. However, photovoltaic cells can exhibit relatively low energy conversion efficiency for a given application in view of the area occupied by the cells. As another example, solar light tubes can be used to convey light from rooftops into the core of a building. However, the amount of illumination provided by solar light tubes can be constrained by the available size of rooftop space and the size of building corridors through which the light tubes are routed. Solar energy devices used for generating heat can be similarly limited by available space within a given application. Due to these and other constraints, solar energy devices are often integrated with building facilities or other use environments as fixtures that are selected for a specific application. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one example, a mobile solar system includes a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. The lens array assembly is configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. Each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponds to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the solar refraction device. The solar system further includes a frame supporting the solar refraction device above an underlying surface, and a mobility system coupled to the frame to provide for movement of the solar refraction device above and across the underlying surface. 
     In another example, a refractive solar system includes a solar energy device, and a solar refraction device. The solar refraction device includes a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies that are configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points. Each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponds to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the solar refraction device. The plurality of focal points of the solar refraction device are directed at the solar energy device. 
     In yet another example, a mobile solar system includes a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. The lens array assembly is configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies in which each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponds to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly. The mobile solar system further comprises a frame supporting the solar refraction device above an underlying surface that includes retractable feet, and an adjustment mechanism to provide for adjustment of at least two degrees of freedom of the solar refraction device. The mobile solar system further comprises a first mobility system including one or more wheels, one or more continuous treads, or a combination thereof coupled to the frame to provide power-assisted movement of the solar refraction system above and across the underlying surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective back-view of an example of an implementation of a lens array assembly of a solar refraction device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a back-view of the lens array assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective back-view of an example of an implementation of a lens array sub-assembly of the lens array assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective back-view of an example of an implementation of a single column array of lens panes of the lens array sub-assembly shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5A  is a system view of an example of implementation of a refracting convex lens. 
         FIG. 5B  is a system view of the single column array of lens panes shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective side-view of the lens array sub-assembly shown in  FIG. 3  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective back-view of another example of an implementation of a lens array assembly of the solar refraction device and a container in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a system view of the solar refraction device shown in  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective back-view of a plurality of solar refraction devices, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , utilized to heat or melt a material in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an example of an implementation of a method performed by the solar refraction device shown in  FIGS. 1-9  in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of an example of an implementation of a method performed in fabricating the solar refraction device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a system diagram of an example of an implementation of the solar refraction device utilized for powering a turbine in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  shows an example system  1300  including a solar refraction device utilized for heating the contents of a pipe. 
         FIG. 14  shows an example solar refraction device forming a canopy, and a plurality of reflectors to reflect light that passes through the solar refraction device. 
         FIG. 15  shows the example solar refraction device of  FIG. 7  used to direct refracted solar energy at an object. 
         FIG. 16  shows a schematic depiction of an example processing system that incorporates one or more solar refraction devices. 
         FIGS. 17-20  show example mobile solar systems that each comprises a solar refraction device. 
         FIG. 21  shows an example solar energy system including a solar refraction device that is configured to refract solar energy onto a solar power device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A solar refraction device (SRD) disclosed herein comprises a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. The lens array assembly is configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points. Each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponds to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the lens array assembly. 
     The plurality of focal points of the SRD can be positioned to illuminate or heat objects using the refracted solar energy or to concentrate the refracted solar energy at a solar energy device. Examples of solar energy devices that can receive and utilize the refracted solar energy concentrated by the SRD include solar lighting devices, solar heating devices, photovoltaic cells, etc. The act of heating an object includes increasing its temperature and/or changing its phase in various examples. Objects heated by an SRD can include materials in various forms as well as containers that are open face (e.g., a bin) and containers that partially or fully enclose the materials. In some embodiments, the container is in a closed configuration. In another embodiment, the container encloses contents that are in another enclosed container. Use of the phrase “in a closed configuration” hereinafter refers to the container that is being heated being partially or fully closed itself, or the container being open, partially closed or closed and the contents inside being enclosed in another container, object, housing or the like. 
     In this disclosure, materials heated by an SRD can include any type of material or combination of materials in solid, liquid, and/or gas forms. While liquids and gases are examples of fluids, such materials can include granulated solids that can be conveyed and/or mixed in a manner similar to a fluid. Examples of materials that can be heated include working fluids (e.g., water within heat exchangers, heat engines, vapor cycles, and other thermodynamic systems), industrial materials, such as metallic industrial materials including aluminum, steel, iron or other metals or alloys, non-metallic industrial materials such as plastics or other recyclable non-metals, chemicals, such as chemical reactants and chemical products (e.g., in a chemical processing system), foods, seeds, soil, crushed stone, sand, animal waste, compost, lumber, and other forms of organic matter. 
     In at least some examples, the SRD forms part of a mobile solar system, including a frame and a mobility system. The frame supports the solar refraction device above an underlying surface. The mobility system is coupled to the frame to provide for movement of the SRD above and across the underlying surface, thereby enabling the SRD to be transported to a location of operation. The mobile solar system can further include an adjustment mechanism configured to provide for adjustment of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw of the SRD, thereby enabling the SRD to be orientated relative to the Sun and for the solar energy refracted by the SRD to be directed at a target location or region. 
     In  FIG. 1 , a perspective back-view of an example of an implementation of a lens array assembly  100  of an SRD  102  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. SRD  102  includes the lens array assembly  100  and a plurality of lens panes  104  attached to the lens array assembly  100 . In this example, the lens array assembly  100  can include a support frame  106  constructed of a rigid material such as, for example, a metal such as steel or aluminum or other rigid non-metallic materials (e.g., wood or composites). The support frame  106  can include a plurality of openings that are configured to accept the plurality of lens panes  104 , which are each configured to be attached to the lens array assembly  100 . The support frame  106  is constructed of a rigid material that is strong enough to support the weight of, and stresses caused by, the plurality of lens panes  104  placed within the plurality of opening in the support frame  106  and capable of withstanding prolonged exposure in the environment to things such as, for example, electromagnetic radiation, thermal heat, and ultraviolent radiation without significantly degrading or warping. The lens array assembly  100  includes an outside surface  108  that also corresponds to the outside surface of SRD  102 , an inside surface (not shown), and a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. In at least some examples, each lens array sub-assembly is a discrete panel of the lens array assembly  100 . However, two or more lens array sub-assemblies can be integrated into a common panel in another example. 
     In this example, the lens array assembly  100  is shown having nine (9) lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 . Each lens array sub-assembly is shown having a sub-plurality of lens panes (from the total plurality of lens panes  104 ) attached to the corresponding lens array sub-assembly. As an example, part of a support structure  128  is also shown attached to one side of the lens array assembly  100 . The support structure  128  can be attached to the support frame  106  in a way that allows the support structure  128  to maintain the lens array assembly  100  at a predetermined distance from an object to be illuminated or heated (e.g., a heating container or materials contained therein) where the predetermined distance is a distance that is based on the multiple focal lengths of the lens array assembly  100  (described in more detail later). The support structure  128  can be connected to, or part of, a solar tracker (not shown), where the solar tracker is configured to move the support structure  128  (and the as the lens array assembly  100 ) in a manner that maintains a high amount of solar energy being refracted through SRD  102  and focused at an illumination area where heating or other action of interest (e.g. photovoltaic conversion) occurs. In this disclosure, a “high” amount of solar energy is considered enough solar energy for SRD  102  to operate according to the present description. Similar to the support frame  106 , the support structure  128  can be constructed of a rigid material that is strong enough to support the weight of, and stresses caused by, the lens array assembly  100 . Support frame  106  can include metallic and non-metallic rigid materials. Furthermore, in this example, the lens array assembly  100  is shown to have a three-dimensional convex shape with each corresponding lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  also being convex. In an example, the three-dimensional convex shape is approximately parabolic along the x-axis  130  and z-axis  132  and also along the y-axis  134  and z-axis  132 . However, lens array assembly  100  may have other suitable three-dimensional shapes, including a trough shape, such as depicted in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , as examples. In an example of operation, SRD  102  refracts diffuse solar energy  136  (i.e., the impinging solar energy) that impinges on the outside surface  108  (of both SRD  102  and lens array assembly  100 ) through SRD  102  resulting in a focused beam of refracted solar energy  138  that is focused in a direction along the z-axis  132  away from the inside surface of the lens array assembly  100 . 
     In this example, it is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that only nine (9) lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  have been shown in  FIG. 1  for purpose of illustration. However, the lens array assembly  100  can include more or less lens array sub-assemblies based on design and application of SRD  102 . As will be described later, in general each lens array sub-assembly will produce a corresponding focused beam of refracted solar energy that will have a focal length that corresponds to the specific lens array sub-assembly. The resulting focal lengths from the different lens array sub-assemblies can be different from each other so that the combined focused beams of refracted solar energy (for each lens array sub-assembly) combines to form the focused beam of refracted solar energy  138  that produces an illumination area (described later) that is located at a distance from the SRD. In at least some examples, an illumination area is distributed over a region of an object to heated, rather than being focused at a same location. The SRD can include or can be utilized in combination with an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of each of one or more lens array sub-assemblies, thereby enabling the focal points of refracted solar energy provided by the lens array sub-assemblies to be adjusted in relation to each other. In an example, the adjustment mechanism can include a hinge located at an interface between two lens array sub-assemblies that enables one of the sub-assemblies to be rotated relative to the other sub-assembly. For example, the support structures and/or frames disclosed herein can provide rigid support to an SRD in each of two or more configurations, thereby enabling the various lens array sub-assemblies to be adjusted in relation to each other to achieve a desired configuration that is maintained by the support structure and/or frame. 
     From the detail in  FIG. 1 , in this example, SRD  102  is shown to have an octagon two-dimensional convex shaped lens array assembly  100 . Additionally, the lens array assembly  100  is shown to have five (5) rectangular shaped two-dimensional convex lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  and four (4) triangular shaped two-dimensional convex lens array sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 . Moreover, each rectangular shaped two-dimensional convex lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  is shown to have 8 by 8 (i.e., 64) lens panes (or plurality of openings for 64 lens panes) and each triangular shaped two-dimensional convex lens array sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  is shown to have 28 lens panes (or plurality of openings for 28 lens panes) and eight (8) half-sized lens panes (or plurality of openings for 8 half sized lens panes). This results in SRD  102  having, in this example, a total of 432 lens panes and 32 half sized lens panes. Each of the lens panes of the plurality of lens panes  104  can be flat lens panes approximating a parabolic shape in the corresponding lens array sub-assembly based on the size and number of the discrete flat lens panes in the lens array sub-assembly or actual convex shaped lens panes. Furthermore, each lens pane can be made from glass, acrylic, or other suitable material. Moreover, each lens pane can be a flat or sloped lens pane or a Fresnel lens such that SRD  102  can be assembled from a combination of flat lens panes, sloped panes, and Fresnel lenses. In general, the lens panes can be removable and interchangeable within the lens array assembly  100 . Furthermore, to make SRD  102  more dynamic, individual controls (not shown) can be installed in sections of the lens array assembly  100  or each opening that is configured to receive a lens pane in the lens array assembly  100  such that the controls are able to adjust the position of the individual panes to adjust the focus of SRD  102 . Again, the octagon two-dimensional convex shape of the lens array assembly  100  is an example for illustration purposes and can be a different shape based on the design of the lens array assembly  100 .  FIGS. 13 and 14 , for example, depict SRDs having different shapes from SRD  102 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , a back-view of the lens array assembly  100 , shown in  FIG. 1  along viewing plane A-A′  140 , is shown in accordance with the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  illustrates the relationship of the plurality of sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  and plurality of lens panes  104  in relationship with the lens array assembly  100 . As described earlier, in this example, the lens array assembly  100  has an octagon shape and includes five rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118 , respectively, and four triangular shaped lens sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , respectively. In this example, as described earlier, the five rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  include 64 lens panes designated by  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208 , respectively. Similarly, the four triangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  include 28 lens panes designated by  210 ,  212 ,  214 , and  216 , respectively, and 8 partial sized lens panes  218 ,  220 ,  222 , and  224 , respectively. If the four triangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  are generally equivalent to half of a rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies, then the four triangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  act as the equivalent of two rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies. In this case, the lens array assembly  100  can be described as having a total of seven (7) rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies instead of nine (9). As a result, the SRD  100  would have a total of 448 lens panes attached to the lens array assembly  100 . 
     In general, the amount of energy produced by SRD  102  is directly related to the amount or intensity of solar energy incident upon the SRD, the location/positioning where the SRD will be utilized, and the array size of lens array assembly  100 . For example, the higher the concentration of sunlight, the higher the amount of energy that is produced by SRD  102  for a given size of the lens array assembly  100 . Specifically, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (“NREL”) average data from 1998 to 2009, areas within the United States such as Arizona and parts of California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Hawaii receive as an annual average over 7.5 Kilowatt hours (“KWh”) per square meter (m2) per day of concentrated solar power (“CSP”) that is available for use by solar systems. 
     Generally, the amount of solar energy which falls on the Earth in any a calendar year dwarfs the total energy output of all the world&#39;s fossil fuels used in world&#39;s industries. For example, the State of Kentucky receives about 3.75 kW/m2 of solar energy per day from the Sun and higher energy areas, such as Hawaii, receive about 5.75 kW/m2 of solar energy per day. Only a fraction of these totals are used for creating useable energy with the current solar cells because, current commonly used solar cells generally only reach about 18% energy conversion due to losses of heat, reflection angle, and electricity transfer. 
     As such, utilizing Hawaii as an example for melting aluminum, a 6 foot by 6 foot (i.e., an area of about 4 m2) lens array sub-assembly  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  would be able to focus about 4 KWh of solar energy such that lens array assembly  100  would be able to focus at least 28 KWh of solar energy taking into account the five (5) rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  and four (4) triangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 . Assuming, 85% efficiency in this example, SRD  102  would be capable of melting about 74 pounds of aluminum per hour. 
     In  FIG. 3 , a perspective back-view of an example of an implementation of a lens array sub-assembly  300  of the lens array assembly  100  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The lens array sub-assembly  300  is show including a support frame  302  and approximately 36 lens panes  304  organized in six (6) rows and six (6) columns. The reason for only showing six (6) columns and rows in this example is for convenience of illustration since every lens pane  304  is being shown within a support frame of the lens array sub-assembly  300 . The support frame is shown having a first side  306  and a second side  308 . In this example, the convex curvature of the first side  306  of the support frame is shown along the x-axis  310  and z-axis  312 . Similarly, the convex curvature of the second side  308  of the support frame is shown along the y-axis  314  and z-axis  312 . As described earlier, the convex curvature can be approximately parabolic for both the first and second sides  306  and  308  of the support frame. If approximately parabolic, the lens array assembly  100  will produce a more focused beam of refracted solar energy  138  because in general a parabola is a special curve that has the mathematical relationship where all points of the parabola are an equal distance away from both a fixed line (mathematically referred to as the directrix) and a fixed point (mathematically referred to as the focus of the parabola, which is not to be confused with other instances of the term focus utilized in the present disclosure in connection with light or refracted solar energy). 
     Additionally, in  FIG. 3 , the panes  304  of a first column  316  of panes  304  is shown receiving diffuse solar energy and focusing  318  it to a focal point  320 . More specifically, turning to  FIG. 4 , a perspective back-view of an example of an implementation of a single column array of lens panes  400  of the lens array sub-assembly shown  300  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the single column array of lens panes  400  includes six (6) lens panes  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410 , and  412 . As an example of operation, the single column array of lens panes  400  is configured to receive a portion  414  of the diffuse solar energy  136  that impinges on the outside surface of the SRD and refract that portion  414  through the lens panes  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410 , and  412  to produce a focused beam  416  of solar energy that is focused to focal point  418 . 
     To further explain this example, in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , system views of a continuous refracting convex lens  500  and of the single column array of lens panes  502  (shown in  FIG. 4  cut along plane B-B′  420 ) are shown along a center line  504 . In both examples, impinging diffuse solar energy  506  is refracted and focused  508  and  510  to focal points  512  and  514 , respectively. As a result, in operation, the discrete refracting convex lens created by the single column array of lens panes  502  focuses  510  the refracted solar energy to approximately the same focal point  514  as the focal point  512  of the continuous refracting convex lens  500 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , a perspective side-view of a lens array sub-assembly  600  (shown in  FIG. 3  as lens array sub-assembly  300 ) is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In contrast to  FIG. 3 , in  FIG. 6 , an example of operation is shown where diffuse solar energy  602  impinges on an outside surface  604  of lens array sub-assembly  600  that includes a plurality of lens panes  606 . Each lens pane of the plurality of lens panes  606  then refracts a portion of the diffuse solar energy  602 . In this example, all of the refracted beams from the plurality of lens panes  606  are focused  608  into a focal point  610  that is utilized to illuminate or heat an object (not shown). Within  FIG. 6 , the focal length  612  of the lens array sub-assembly  600  is shown as the distance between the focal point  610  and a centerline  614  of the lens array sub-assembly  600 . This focal length  612  is based on the design of the lens array sub-assembly  600 . Turning back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is noted that there are multiple lens array sub-assemblies  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126  that each have their own corresponding focal length. Additionally, these multiple focal lengths can be equal or not equal to each other based on the design of the SRD for illuminating or heating an object. By having different focal lengths or different focal points for each lens array sub-assembly  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , the lens array assembly  100  focus the diffused solar energy over a region rather than an individual point. This allows SRD  102  to illuminate or heat an object at an illumination plane by distributing the focused solar energy over a region of the illumination plane. If solar energy refracted by the SRD is overly focused rather than being distributed over a region, the refracted solar energy can damage or burn the object being illuminated or heated, which can include the container or materials contained therein. 
     Expanding on this in  FIG. 7 , a perspective back-view of another example of an implementation of a lens array assembly  700  of the SRD  702  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the lens array assembly  700  is shown having five (5) rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and  712 , respectively. Additional triangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies can be added as described earlier, however, in this example only five (5) rectangular shaped lens array sub-assemblies  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and  712  are shown for the purpose of illustration. In this example, the lens array assembly  700  is shown having five different focal lengths or focal points  714 ,  716 ,  718 ,  720 , and  722  for the individual lens array sub-assemblies  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and  712 . The resulting focal points define an illumination area  724  within an open face container  726  (e.g., a materials bin, a crucible, etc.). It will be understood that container  726  is merely one example of a container that can be used to heat materials. In the example of  FIG. 7 , illumination area  724  is defined in size and shape by the plurality of focal points  714 ,  716 ,  718 ,  720 , and  722  so that the illumination area is within a region bounded by the container or region of an objected to be illuminated by refracted solar energy. However, in the example of  FIG. 7 , the illumination area also sufficiently distributed to avoid excessive heating that can damage or exceed the operating parameters of the object being illuminated. 
     Additionally, shown in this example is a schematic representation of support structure  128  that can be used to support lens array assembly  700 . In this example, the illumination area  724  is shown to be a predetermined distance  728  from the lens array assembly  700 . Specifically, the predetermined distance  728  is defined as the distance  728  between a centerline  730  of the plane of the illumination area  724  and another centerline  732  of lens array assembly  700 . The predetermined distance  728  is generally related to the focal lengths of the individual lens array sub-assemblies  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and  712  that produce respective focal points  714 ,  716 ,  718 ,  720 , and  722  that define illumination area  724 . As a result, the predetermined distance  728  is based on the design of the lens array assembly  700 , because the focal lengths are based on the design of the lens array sub-assembly  700 . In an example, support structure  128  is configured to maintain this predetermined distance  728  between the lens array assembly  700  and the illumination area  724  within container  726 . As such, since the type of material, thickness, position, and angle of the lens panes within each lens array sub-assemblies  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and  712  determines the corresponding focal points  714 ,  716 ,  718 ,  720 , and  722 , it is appreciated that the type of material, thickness, position, and angle of the lens panes within each lens array sub-assemblies  704 ,  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and  712  can be designed or otherwise selected such that they produce the corresponding focal points  714 ,  716 ,  718 ,  720 , and  722  at the predetermined distance  728  and desired arrangement. 
       FIG. 15  shows the example SRD  702  of  FIG. 7  used to direct refracted solar energy at an object  1526 . Object  1526  may refer to any of the materials or containers disclosed herein that are to be heated by refracted solar energy, or may refer to a solar energy device that receives concentrated solar energy that is refracted by the SRD. As an example,  FIG. 15  shows SRD  702  being used to heat object  1526  as a container that encloses contents (e.g., one or more materials) within the container (e.g., a closed container). It will be understood that object  1526  is depicted schematically in  FIG. 15 , and that object  1526  can take any suitable form. For example, a material that forms an underlying surface (e.g., a road bed being constructed) may be heated by solar energy refracted by SRD  702 . In this example, illumination area  724  previously described with reference to  FIG. 7  is instead provided at an exterior surface of object  1526  by refracted solar energy to heat the object and any contents enclosed therein. 
     As another example, object  1526  takes the form of a solar energy device. Examples of solar energy devices that can receive and utilize the refracted solar energy concentrated by the SRD include solar lighting devices (e.g., passive solar light tubes, fiber optics, etc.), solar heating devices (e.g., solar water heaters), and photovoltaic cells. Where object  1526  takes the form of a set of photovoltaic cells, in some examples object  1526  may be electrically coupled to one or more batteries  1528  to provide electrical charging of the one or more batteries using the refracted solar energy for energy storage and potentially later use. Alternatively or additionally, photovoltaic cells can provide electrical energy generated from refracted solar energy to an electrical grid or electrical circuit. The SRD, solar energy device, and associated components (e.g., batteries  1528 ) can collectively form a solar energy system. 
     In  FIG. 8 , a system view of an SRD  800  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, a centerline  802  is shown for equivalent lens  803  of plurality of lens panes of SRD  800 . SRD  800  is shown to have a focal length  804  that extends to a focal point  806  past the bottom  808  of container  810 . As an example of operation, container  810  contains a material  812  to be melted such as, for example, aluminum. The impinging diffuse solar energy  814  is refracted by the plurality of lens panes of the SRD  800  to form a plurality of refracted solar beams  816  (also known as rays) that are focused to focal point  806  past the bottom  808  of container  810 . Since, container  810  contains material  812 , the focused refracted solar beams  816  cannot concentrate their combined energy at focal point  806  and instead impinge on material  812  at an illumination plane  820 . In this example, illumination plane  820  corresponds to the fill line of material  812  in container  810 . Since illumination plane  820  corresponds to an illumination area  822  at opening  824  of container  810 , the resulting heat generated by the focused refracted solar beams  816  is distributed over illumination area  822 . In an example, area  822  is defined as a relatively small area compared to the size of SRD  800 . By properly designing or otherwise positioning SRD  800  relative to an object to be heated or otherwise illuminated, illumination area  822  receives the proper amount of energy from SRD  800  with respect to the object (e.g., material  812  in this example) within suitable parameters. In this example, SRD  800  provides the greatest intensity of refracted solar energy along centerline  826 , with the refracted solar energy being more diffuse moving outwards from the centerline  826 . As such, the greatest intensity of heat energy provided by refracted solar energy within illumination plane  820 , within this example, is at the intersection of illumination plane  820  with centerline  826 . Intensity of the heat provided by the refracted solar radiation diminishes, in this example, as distance increases from centerline  826  within illumination area  822 . As described earlier, the focal length  804  is related to the predetermined length  830  between centerline  802  of equivalent lens  803  to the container  810 , where the predetermined length  830  is the length from the centerline  802  to illumination plane  820 . 
     In some cases, an individual instance of SRD  800  is not sufficient to generate enough energy to heat an object to a desired state or to process a series of objects within a given time period. In these cases, multiple SRDs can be utilized together (e.g., in a chain) to increase the available heat energy or to increase a quantity of objects that can be heated within a given time period. In  FIG. 9 , a perspective back-view of a plurality of SRDs  900 ,  902 ,  904 , and  906  are shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, SRDs  900 ,  902 ,  904 , and  906  are utilized to melt an industrial material  908  in a plurality of containers  910 ,  912 ,  914 , and  916 , respectively. In this example, the multiple SRDs  900 ,  902 ,  904 , and  906  can be positioned by any known solar tracking system to collect the optimal quantity of solar light during the day. To maintain the optimal energy focusing of the SRDs  900 ,  902 ,  904 , and  906 , the containers  910 ,  912 ,  914 , and  916  can be moved from one SRD to the next via a track system  918 . In this example, the track system  918  is configured to input or extract a given container  910 ,  912 ,  914 , and  916  at any point during a heating or illumination process (e.g., to remove melted or heated material and input new materials for processing). 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , a flowchart  1000  of an example method performed by or with respect to an SRD is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The SRD of flowchart  1000  can refer to any of the example SRDs disclosed herein. In one example, the method includes heating an object, such as a material or container that contains one or more materials, with solar energy refracted by the SRD. The container can be open faced as depicted in  FIG. 7  or can be a closed container that encloses the materials within the container as depicted in  FIG. 15 . As another example, method  1000  of  FIG. 10  can be utilized to direct refracted solar energy at an illumination area with respect to an object, such as a solar energy device. 
     The method starts at  1002  by, in step  1003 , refracting solar energy impinging on the SRD through a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies and, in step  1004 , focusing the refracted solar energy onto a plurality of focal points. Each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponds to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. In at least some examples, at least a portion of the refracted solar energy can be reflected at  1005 .  FIG. 14  depicts an example in which reflector are used to reflect some of the refracted solar energy provided by an SRD. 
     In at least some examples, each focal point can be spaced apart from each other focal point of the plurality of focal points to define an illumination area to which refracted solar energy is to be directed. In these examples, the method at  1006  includes creating an illumination area with respect to an object to be heated (e.g., upon an exterior surface of the container or within the container) utilizing the plurality of focal points as defined, at least in part, by their respective focal lengths. As another example, at  1006 , an illumination area is created with respect to an object, such as a solar energy device. In step  1008 , the object is heated or illuminated utilizing the focused refracted solar energy. For example, a material or contents of a container (e.g., containing one or more materials) are heated at the illumination area utilizing the focused refracted solar energy. As another example, a solar energy device (e.g., a photovoltaic panel) is illuminated at the illumination area utilizing the focused refracted solar energy. At  1010 , the method ends or returns to the start at  1002 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , a flowchart  1100  of an example method performed in fabricating an SRD is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. Beginning from  1102 , the method at  1104  includes determining parameters of an object to be heated or to which refracted solar energy is to be directed (e.g., in the case of a solar energy device). For example, the method at  1104  can include determining a size, shape, mass, composition, reflectivity, specific heat, flow rate (e.g., in material flow applications) and initial conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, phase, etc.) for materials to be heated. Where the object further includes a container within which the materials are to be heated, the method at  1104  can include determining a size, shape, mass, composition, reflectivity, specific heat, and initial conditions for the container. As another example, where refracted solar energy is to be directed at a solar energy device, a solar energy usage rate or capacity of the solar energy device may be determined at  1104 . 
     The method at  1106  includes determining an amount of energy needed to heat the object to a desired temperature and/or phase within a defined time period based on the parameters determined at  1104 . As an example, to melt aluminum, an SRD might need to provide approximately 30,000 watts of refracted solar energy to melt about 100 pounds of aluminum per hour. As another example, where refracted solar energy is to be directed at a solar energy device, the parameters determined at  1104  may be used to determine the amount of energy needed to be generated by the SRD. 
     The method at  1108  includes determining an array size for the lens array assembly for producing the previously determined amount of energy for a given density of solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly. As previously discussed, the lens array assembly is configured to refract solar light impinging on the lens array assembly to the object being heated. As an example, in Hawaii the Sun produces about 1,000 watts per square meter so the lens array assembly needs to be approximately 30 m2 (i.e., about 6 meters by 6 meters). 
     The method at  1110  determines a focal length of the lens array assembly based on the geometry of the lens array assembly. The method at  1112  includes assembling the lens array assembly. The method then ends at  1114 . In this example, assembling the lens array assembly can include assembling a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies and attaching the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies to form the lens array assembly, where each lens array sub-assembly has a corresponding focal length. As previously discussed, each lens array sub-assembly has a convex shape in at least some examples. Assembling the lens array assembly includes attaching a plurality of lens panes to each plurality of lens array sub-assemblies. In one example, the lens panes include Fresnel lenses. Moreover, assembling the lens array assembly also includes a first lens array sub-assembly with a different corresponding focal length than a second focal length corresponding to a second lens array sub-assembly of the lens array assembly. However, some or all of the lens array sub-assemblies of an SRD can have the same focal length in another example. 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples of an SRD disclosed herein can be used to heat materials contained within an enclosure to increase the temperature of the materials or to change the phase of the materials (e.g., from solid to liquid or from liquid to vapor). For example, an SRD can be used to heat a fluid contained within a container such as an enclosed pipe, pressure vessel or other enclosed vessel, furnace, reactor, etc. The container can form part of a chemical processing system, electro-chemical processing system, oil refinery, food processing system, power plant, industrial boiler, physical plant (e.g., radiative heating), heating system (e.g., HVAC), sanitation system, etc. In at least some examples, the fluid can include an intermediate working fluid (e.g., water) that is used to transfer heat to a heat sink. In examples where an intermediate working fluid is used, this intermediate working fluid can provide power to machinery (e.g., turbines) or heat to another system or material (e.g., chemicals, foods, fossil fuels, etc.). In another example, a container can take the form of an open face bin for holding materials, such as depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , a system diagram of an example of an implementation of the SRD  1200  utilized for powering a turbine  1202  is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. The turbine  1202  can include a plurality of turbine blades (also known as vanes)  1204  and a shaft  1206 . In this example, the turbine  1202  is connected to a container  1208  via at least an inflow tubular pipe  1210  and outflow tubular pipe  1212 . Container  1208  includes a plurality of pipes  1214  within container  1208  that are configured to be heated by the SRD  1200 . Pipes  1214  can be filled with a fluid such as, for example, a gas (such as, for example, air), steam, water, or other heatable fluid that is capable of being heated in container  1208  and passed to the turbine  1202 . Turbine  1202  is a rotary machine that extracts energy from the resulting fluid flow and converts it into useful work energy that rotates  1216  shaft  1206 . In an example of operation, the SRD  1200  receives solar energy and focuses at  1218  refracted solar energy towards pipes  1214  of container  1208 . As previously discussed, multiple focal points  1220 ,  1222 ,  1224 , and  1226  can be focused at  1218  towards the container  1208  to define an illumination area  1230  with respect to container  1208 . The fluid in the pipes  1214  is then heated up and heated fluid passed to the turbine  1202  via inflow tubular pipe  1210  in the direction of  1232 . The heated fluid turns the turbine blades  1204  resulting in the shaft  1206  rotating  1216  along its axis. The exhausted fluid is returned to container  1208  via the outflow tubular pipe  1212  in the direction of  1234 . It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other industrial heating examples can be implemented by utilizing the SRD  1200  as a heating device for other materials. 
       FIG. 13  shows an example solar heating system  1300  including an SRD  1310  and a pipe segment  1320  that can be heated by solar energy refracted by SRD  1310 . SRD  1310  can incorporate any of the SRD configurations disclosed herein, including a lens assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies in which each lens array sub-assembly provides a corresponding focal point of refracted solar energy that is positioned to heat the contents enclosed within pipe segment  1320 . Pipe segment  1320  is one example of a container for contents to be heated by an SRD. Within the context of a container that encloses contents, the focal points of refracted solar energy provided by SRD  1310  can be positioned at a surface of the container (e.g., an exterior of pipe segments  1320 ). 
     In this example, pipe segment  1320  forms part of a pipe system  1322  represented schematically in  FIG. 13  that contains a flow of contents. For example, pipe system  1322  can form a closed loop containing a material (e.g., a fluid such as a liquid or gas, or granulated solids). Accordingly, pipe system  1322  is one example of an enclosed container that can be heated by an SRD. Pipe system  1322  can be connected to one or more system components  1330  represented schematically in  FIG. 13  such that pipe segment  1320  is in fluid communication with the system components. In an example, pipe system  1322  in combination with system components  1330  forms a closed loop containing a material (e.g., a fluid or granulated solids). Accordingly, pipe system  1322  in combination with system components  1330  is another example of an enclosed container that can be heated by an SRD. 
     System components  1330  can include one or more mechanical conveyance machines (e.g., a pump or auger conveyor) to convey or circulate a material within the pipe system  1322  in a particular flow direction. System components  1330  can include one or more heat sinks that extract heat from a material contained within pipe system  1322 . Examples of heat sinks include mechanical machines (e.g., turbines) that extract heat energy from a material and convert that heat energy into work, heat exchangers, or other materials to be heated. 
     In the example depicted in  FIG. 13 , SRD  1310  has a curved shape within a plane that is orthogonal to a longitudinal axis  1324  of pipe segment  1320 . Surface  1312  of SRD  1310  that faces pipe segment  1320  forms an interior of the curved shape. System  1300  includes a support structure  1340  in this example. For example, support structure  1340  supports SRD  1310  relative to pipe segment  1320 . However, pipe segment  1320  and SRD  1310  can be separately supported in other examples. It will be understood that SRD  1310  can have other suitable shapes and configurations from the example depicted in  FIG. 13  to heat enclosed containers, including pipe systems that convey materials along a flow direction. 
       FIG. 14  shows an example solar heating system  1400  including an SRD  1410  and one or more reflectors  1420  (e.g., mirrors) positioned to reflect at least a portion of refracted solar energy  1412  received from the SRD toward an object  1430 . SRD  1410  can incorporate any of the SRD configurations disclosed herein, including a lens assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies in which each lens array sub-assembly provides a corresponding focal point of refracted solar energy that is positioned to illuminate or heat object  1430 . In the example depicted in  FIG. 14 , SRD  1410  forms a canopy and has a curved shape. Thus, SRD  1410  can shield object  1430  from precipitation or other contaminants in addition to providing refracted solar energy for illumination or heating. Object  1430  can refer to any of the containers or materials disclosed herein that is illuminated or heated by an SRD. 
     One example of reflectors  1420  is depicted at  1422  reflecting a first portion  1440  of refracted solar energy  1412  received from SRD  1410  toward object  1430 . For example, this first portion  1440  of refracted solar energy  1412  can be focused at a first focal point that is positioned to illuminate or heat object  1430  at a first location  1450 .  FIG. 14  further depicts a second portion  1442  of refracted solar energy  1412  received from SRD  1410  being focused at a second focal point that is positioned to illuminate or heat object  1430  at a second location  1452 . In this example, the second portion  1442  of the refracted solar energy is not reflected by a reflector. Reflectors  1420  can be used to reflect different portions of the refracted solar energy received from SRD  1410  to the same focal point or to different focal points that are spaced apart from each other. A second example of reflectors  1420  is depicted at  1424  reflecting a third portion  1444  of refracted solar energy  1412  received from SRD  1410  toward object  1430 . In this example, the third portion  1444  of the refracted solar energy is focused at a third focal point that is positioned to illuminate or heat object  1403  at a third location  1454  that is spaced apart from locations  1450  and  1452 . 
     Reflectors, such as example reflectors  1420 , can be used to direct refracted solar energy to different regions of an object, including regions that reside outside of the optical path of the refracted solar energy emitted from surfaces of the SRD. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 14 , reflectors can be used to direct refracted solar energy to an underside or side regions of object  1430 . In these examples, reflectors can be arranged around or partially beneath the object being illuminated or heated. Reflectors  1420  can be flat or curved, including reflectors that have a planar reflective surface, a convex reflective surface (e.g., semi-circular or parabolic as viewed in cross-section), or a concave reflective surface (e.g., semi-circular or parabolic as viewed in cross-section). 
     The use of reflectors with an SRD has the potential to increase heating efficiency or illumination intensity with respect to an object (e.g., a solar device) by using refracted solar energy that would otherwise not come into contact with the object. For example, reflectors can be configured to accommodate variations in an angle of the refracted solar energy as the Sun transits the sky. Additionally or alternatively, the use of reflectors with an SRD has the potential to more evenly illuminate or heat an object over its various surfaces. Reflectors can be positioned at fixed positions and orientations relative to an SRD or to an object to be illuminated or heated by the SRD. However, in at least some examples, reflectors are moveable (e.g., by electromechanical actuators) in one or more degrees of freedom (e.g., translation and/or rotation relative to one, two, or three axes) to enable the reflectors to accommodate a variety of lighting conditions, illumination or heating scenarios, and object configurations. 
       FIG. 16  shows a processing system  1600  that incorporates one or more SRDs  1640 ,  1642 ,  1644 , etc. at various stages of a manufacturing process. The SRDs in this example include any of the example SRDs disclosed herein. As one example, solar energy refracted by SRD  1640  is used to heat a first material  1610  that is then provided as a first input to a set of one or more processing stages  1620 . Material  1610  can be heated by SRD  1640  within an enclosed container or other container, for example. As depicted in  FIG. 16 , additional materials (e.g., material  1612 ) can be provided as additional inputs to the one or more of processing stages  1620  where materials  1610 ,  1612 , etc. are combined to form a product  1630  as an output of the processing system. Solar energy refracted by SRD  1642  can be used to heat any combination of materials during the one or more processing stages  1620 . Solar energy refracted by SRD  1644  can be used to heat product  1630  that is output from the one or more processing stages  1620 . Product  1630  can also be heated within an enclosed container or other container, for example. Further, solar energy can be used to heat any transport lines or tubes between the starting material container(s), processing stage(s), and product container(s). Processing system  1600  may represent any suitable type of processing systems. Examples include, but are not limited to, chemical processing systems (e.g. a refinery or other chemical plant), food processing systems (e.g. a food product manufacturing facility), and waste processing systems. 
       FIG. 17  shows an example mobile solar system  1700  that includes an SRD  1710 , a frame  1720 , and a mobility system  1730 . SRD  1710  can incorporate any of the SRD configurations disclosed herein. In an example, SRD  1710  comprises a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus the refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points in which each focal point corresponds to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the SRD. 
     Frame  1720  is attached to mobility system  1730 , represented schematically in  FIG. 17 . Frame  1720  is configured to be removably attached to mobility system  1730  in at least some examples. In a terrestrial-based example, frame  1720 , alone or in combination with mobility system  1730 , supports SRD  1710  above an underlying surface  1750 .  FIGS. 18 and 19  depict further examples of solar system  1700  in which mobility system  1730  includes wheels that contact underlying surface  1750 . In an example, mobility system  1730  represented schematically in  FIG. 17  may refer to one or more wheels, one or more continuous treads (e.g., of a tread vehicle), or a combination of one or more wheels and one or more continuous threads. In other examples, mobile system  1730  may take the form of an aerial vehicle or a vehicle that utilizes magnetic levitation. In some examples, mobility system  1730  comprises a motor or other suitable drive system components to provide power-assisted movement of the SRD above and across underlying surface  1750 . For example, mobility system  1730  may take the form of a motorized vehicle, such as a land-based road vehicle, rail-based vehicle, construction vehicle, etc., a watercraft, an aerial vehicle, or other suitable type of vehicle. Mobility system  1730  is coupled to frame  1720  to provide for movement of SRD  1710  above and/or across underlying surface  1750 , enabling SRD  1710  to be transported to a location of operation. In the example depicted in  FIG. 17 , system  1700  enables SRD  1710  to be moved relative to underlying surface  1750  in one, two, or three degrees of freedom. For example, mobility system  1730  enables SRD  1710  to move  1760  (e.g., translate) relative to underlying surface  1750 . In another example, the mobility system is non-motorized (such as in the case of a trailer or a railcar), and includes a hitch or mechanical coupling that enables the SRD to be towed by another vehicle across underlying surface  1750 . 
     Additionally, in the example depicted in  FIG. 17 , frame  1720  includes an adjustment mechanism  1722  to provide for adjustment of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw of SRD  1710 . For example, adjustment mechanism  1722  of frame  1720  enables SRD  1710  to rotate  1762  about a first axis  1764  relative to mobility system  1730  and underlying surface  1720 , and to rotate  1766  about a second axis  1768  relative to mobility system  1730  and underlying surface  1720 . Second axis  1768  is orthogonal to first axis  1764  in this example, thereby enabling SRD  1710  to be orientated in a variety of orientations about axes  1764  and  1768 . SRD  1710  can be orientated about axes  1764  and  1768  to achieve a desired orientation relative to the Sun and to direct solar energy refracted by the SRD at a target or set of targets. For example, one or more of a plurality of focal points of refracted solar energy can be located at ground level to heat an object (e.g., a container or materials resting upon or below the underlying surface) or to concentrate solar energy to a solar energy device. 
     Within the example depicted in  FIG. 17 , frame  1720  provides a multi-axis gimbal configuration by way of support posts  1724 ,  1726 , and  1728  with respect to SRD  1710 . In other examples, other suitable configurations can be used to enable rotation of an SRD about one or more axes. It will be understood that frame  1720  is one example of a support structure. In another example, the frame takes the form of an individual post or a tripod, and the SRD is coupled to the post or tripod (e.g., the top or distal end of the post or tripod) by a hinged or ball joint connection that can be selectively locked to retain the SRD at a particular orientation and released to enable an orientation of the SRD to be adjusted. An example of this configuration is described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 20 . In an example, SRD  1710  is removable from frame  1720  and mobility system  1730 , such as at an interface with support posts  1724 ,  1726 , and  1728 . 
       FIG. 18  depicts a mobile solar system  1800  as an example of previously described system  1700  of  FIG. 17 . In the example depicted in  FIG. 17 , SRD  1710  is selectively supported above underlying surface  1750  by at least one of a set of wheels  1832  of mobility system  1830  or a set of retractable feet  1822  of frame  1820 . Mobility system  1830  in this example may refer to a motorized vehicle or a non-motorized, mechanical vehicle (e.g. a trailer or a rail car) which allows for portability or movement  1760  of the SRD  1710 . Feet  1822  can be selectively deployed to contact underlying surface  1750  (e.g., to raise wheels  1832  off of the underlying surface) or retracted from underlying surface  1750  (e.g., to lower wheels  1832  to the underlying surface), enabling system  1800  to be moved to a location of operation using mobility system  1830  while feet  1822  are retracted and then stabilized by deploying feet  1822  at the location operation. Also in this example, frame  1820  enables rotation  1766  or  1762  of SRD  1710  about axis  1768  or axis  1764 , respectively using a track system  1824  in place of support post  1728  of  FIG. 17 . Track system  1824  may incorporate rollers and/or bearings that are confined to a circular or semicircular track of the track system, as an example. 
       FIG. 19  depicts a mobile solar system  1900  as another example of previously described system  1700  of  FIG. 17 . In this example, SRD  1710  is again depicted with frame  1820  of  FIG. 18 . However, in this example, a mobility system  1930  takes the form of a motorized vehicle, such as a truck having a set wheels  1932  that can provide power-assisted movement of the SRD above and across the underlying surface. In an example, features  1934  of support  1820  or features  1936  of mobility system  1930  (e.g., a bed of the truck or a trailer thereof) may define openings through which the SRD can refract solar energy  1940  downward and onto underlying surface  1750 . For example, the refracted solar energy may be used to heat roadbed materials during installation of a road. In an example, frame  1820  is configured to be attached to two or more different types of mobility systems. For example, frame  1820  can be attached to mobility system  1930  (e.g., a truck) depicted in  FIG. 19  during a first operation, and attached to mobile system  1830  (e.g., a trailer) depicted in  FIG. 18  during a second operation. 
       FIG. 20  depicts another example of a mobile solar system  2000  for an SRD. In this example, a support  2010  in the form of a post is mounted to previously described mobility system  1830 . A mounting plate  2012  upon which an SRD can be mounted is rotatably connected to a distal end of support  2010  via an axle  2014  to provide a hinged interface. A pin  2016  rigidly connected to support  2010  passes through a channel  2018  formed within mounting plate  2012  to collectively provide a friction lock that retains mounting plate  2012  (and an SRD mounted thereon) at a fixed orientation. A second instance  2020  of pin  2016  and channel  2018  are additionally provided in this example. Mounting plate  2012  can be rotated about axle  2014  as indicated at  2030  to provide a variety of orientation by overcoming the friction provided by respective instances of pin  2016  and channel  2018 . This configuration is another example of an adjustment mechanism  2032  that can be used to provide for adjustment of a roll or a pitch of the solar refraction system. In an example, pin  2016  may take the form of a threaded fastener that can be tightened to increase the friction that inhibits rotation of mounting plate  2012  relative to support  2010 , and can be loosened to reduce the friction during adjustment of the mounting plate. Additionally, in  FIG. 20 , rotation  1766  previously described with reference to  FIG. 17  about axis  1768  can be inhibited by tightening a pin  2040  that spans mounting surfaces  2042  and  2044 , and can be loosened to enable rotation  1766  about axis  1768 . It will be understood that the configuration of support  2010  may take other suitable forms, including a tripod configuration, for example. 
       FIG. 21  depicts an example of a solar energy system  2100 , including an SRD  2110  that is configured to refract solar energy  2112  onto a solar device  2120  (e.g., photovoltaic cells) located on-board a motorized vehicle  2130  (e.g. a train traveling along a track  2140 ). In this example, SRD  2110  forms part of a station at which vehicle  2130  stops to at least partially recharge batteries located on-board the vehicle. SRD  2110  forms canopy in this example that refracts solar energy from a larger area than the solar device  2120  to concentrate the refracted solar energy, and thereby increase an amount of available energy for charging. 
     Examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure are described in the following enumerated paragraphs. 
     A1. A mobile solar system, comprising: a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies; a frame supporting the solar refraction device above an underlying surface; and a mobility system coupled to the frame to provide for movement of the solar refraction device above and across the underlying surface. 
     A.2 The system of paragraph A1, wherein the mobility system comprises a motor. 
     A3. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the frame is configured to be attached to a motorized vehicle. 
     A4. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein the mobility system comprises one or more wheels or continuous treads. 
     A5. The system of paragraph A4, wherein the frame supporting the solar refraction device further comprises retractable feet. 
     A6. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the solar refraction device is configured to be removable from the frame. 
     A7. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A6, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of each of one or more lens array sub-assemblies. 
     A8. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A7, further comprising an adjustment mechanism to provide for adjustment of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw of the solar refraction device. 
     A9. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A8, wherein one or more of the plurality of focal points are at ground level. 
     A10. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A9, further comprising a materials bin, and wherein the plurality of focal points are directed at the materials bin. 
     A11. The system of any of paragraphs A1-A10, wherein a shape of the lens array assembly comprises a 3D parabola or a trough shape. 
     B1. A refractive solar system, comprising: a solar energy device; and a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponding to one lens array sub-assembly of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the plurality of focal points being directed at the solar energy device. 
     B2. The system of paragraph B1, wherein the solar energy device comprises one or more solar tube heating devices. 
     B3. The system of any of paragraphs B1-B2, wherein the solar energy device comprises one or more solar lighting devices. 
     B4. The system of any of paragraphs B1-B3, wherein the solar energy device comprises one or more photovoltaic cells. 
     B5. The system of any of paragraphs B1-B4, wherein the refractive solar system further comprises one or more batteries configured to be charged by the solar energy device. 
     B6. The system of any of paragraphs B1-B5, further comprising a vehicle; wherein the solar energy device or the solar refraction device is mounted to a vehicle. 
     C1. A mobile solar system, comprising: a solar refraction device comprising a lens array assembly having a plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, the lens array assembly configured to refract solar energy impinging on the lens array assembly to focus refracted solar energy at a plurality of focal points of the plurality of lens array sub-assemblies, each focal point of the plurality of focal points corresponding to a corresponding lens array sub-assembly; a frame supporting the solar refraction device above an underlying surface, the frame comprising retractable feet; an adjustment mechanism to provide for adjustment of at least two degrees of freedom of the solar refraction device; and a first mobility system comprising one or more wheels or continuous tread coupled to the frame to provide power-assisted movement of the solar refraction device above and across the underlying surface. 
     C2. The system of paragraph C1, wherein the mobility system comprises a motor. 
     C3. The system of any of paragraphs C1-C2, wherein the frame is configured to be attached to a second mobility system. 
     C4. The system of paragraph C3, wherein said second mobility system is a mechanical vehicle. 
     C5. The system of paragraph C3, wherein the second mobility system comprises one or more wheels or continuous treads. 
     C6. The system of paragraph C5, wherein the retractable feet are configured to be lowered onto the underlying surface to raise the one or more of wheels or continuous treads above the underlying surface. 
     C7. The system of any of paragraphs C1-C6, wherein the solar refraction device is configured to be removable from the frame. 
     It will be understood that various aspects or details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.