Method for erection of a solar receiver and support tower

1. A method for erecting a solar receiver and support tower therefore, the method comprising the steps of:

(A) providing a solar receiver;

(B) providing a support tower;

(C) surrounding the support tower with a hydraulic climbing assembly, wherein the climbing assembly comprises:

(i) a collar assembly;

(ii) a climber mechanism located above the collar assembly; and

(iii) a plurality of hydraulic cylinders connecting the collar assembly to the climber mechanism;

(D) securing the collar assembly to the support tower;

(E) securing the climber mechanism to the solar receiver;

(F) extending the hydraulic cylinders to raise the climber mechanism;

(G) inserting a support tower insert section between the support tower and the bottom of the solar receiver to increase the height of the support tower;

(H) placing the solar receiver on top of the support tower

(I) disconnecting the collar assembly from the support tower;

(J) retracting the hydraulic cylinders to raise the collar assembly;

(K) securing the collar assembly to a next securement point on the support tower.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solar receiver is completely assembled prior to being placed on top of the climber mechanism.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solar receiver is assembled piece-meal on top of the climber mechanism.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the climber mechanism comprises a lattice structure that is designed to permit the ingress of at least one support tower insert section into the interior thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating Steps (E) through (K) until a desired number of support tower insert sections have been installed.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a monorail is secured adjacent the solar receiver, the monorail being designed to insert the support tower insert section between the support tower and the bottom of the solar receiver.