Concept idea - Feedback desired - Solar Dish

[Sunking]

When solar PV panels were more expensive it was easier to cost justify a well engineered single-axis tracker to gather 30% more energy (for the average situation).

You are over stating the facts. At best dual axis trackers can harvest as much as 30% more than fixed . Mean average is less than that. Single axis not so much.

[billvon]

You are over stating the facts. At best dual axis trackers can harvest as much as 30% more than fixed . Mean average is less than that. Single axis not so much.

Single axis with 2x yearly adjustments can harvest almost as much as a dual axis.

[Sunking]

Single axis with 2x yearly adjustments can harvest almost as much as a dual axis.

I understand that but the real point more times than not it is less expensive to just add extra panels, plus you do not have the maintenance issues associated with trackers. By all means install manual tilt brackets to be adjusted every couple of months to maximize fixed orientations.

Trackers are best utilized where space is limited.

[tandrews]

Chapter A - The pivot mount

A.1. The Mount

All satellite dishes have engineered mounts as long as you don't load your dish up with added mass. Picking a solid dish ensures it's rated for wind as well.

A.2 Tracking the sun:
Older Satellite dishes have motors for tracking. adding a control circuit for single axis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTCl-3R7ro0

Trackers can be simple timers or dynamic dual axis.
Adding a second relay/photo eye to the above setup could make it dual with the second Sat motor axis.
Your research is likely larger is scope then mine on this.

Chapter B - The reflective dish
B.1. The physical dish
Repurposed 10-12 foot satellite
B.2. Reflective surface
Mylar
B.3. Secondary input
Keep it thermal
B.4. Keeping it shiny
Mylar

A solid satellite dish can be sealed to create a vacuum to form and adhere (spray adhesive) a mylar sheet perfectly to it's surface.
I don't think PV should be applied to such a setup, simply because the insolation is well beyond any ready made panel that would make the project feasible or reliable.
They do melt salt with similar collectors after all.

Chapter C - The solar panel
Thermal Thermal Thermal
Any panel mounted above the dish when tracked, blocks that amount of sun on the dish. Diminishing returns.

Chapter D. The central arm
The signal pickup tube can hold a thermal transfer block and support source and feed piping in design focal point.

I would suggest this is a cheap and productive project, provided you aren't depending on it to survive and can locate an obsolete Satellite dish to re-purpose. Single axis timed tracking seems the easiest method to implement and has the best bang for the buck over dual axis.

Good luck with it.