Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Water Heater 6

We have completed the parabolic trough system! All four parabolic troughs together are heating our water heater tank to the max-allowed 155 degrees F (68C) on a typical Texas day (and then the computer shuts down the system by rotating it towards the North). We have imitated George Plhak's counter-balance scheme and combined counter-weights for both the frame and the troughs into one weight. Now the troughs and the frame take no net force to rotate them back and forth, so the rotating mechanisms work fabulously now. We have installed thicker trough end caps, and we have finished our vacuum manifold. The heliostat is a 12V computer that actually calculates the sun's position using local time and moves the troughs perpendicular to the sun using 12V motors. Time zone, orientation, and mount angles are all taken into account. The position sensors are InfraRed Beam Break Rotation Counters on the drive mechanisms The only thing left to do is to mount the system on our two-story rooftop so that it "can see" Mother Sun in the wintertime.