Not just thermal cycling but a giant solar collector is literally a giant solar sail. There would be significant force applied to a giant collector.
You'd need propulsion to maintain position and orientation. You'd also need a number of propulsion units to balance solar pressure gradients as the collector entered and existed the Earth's shadow as well as the thermal expansion/contraction of the structure.
It's likely not a lot of power but a non-trivial amount of fuel.
You'd need propulsion to maintain position and orientation. You'd also need a number of propulsion units to balance solar pressure gradients as the collector entered and existed the Earth's shadow as well as the thermal expansion/contraction of the structure.
It's likely not a lot of power but a non-trivial amount of fuel.