248 results about "Solar tracker" patented technology

System and method embodiments are described for solar panel protection against severe environmental impacts. A tracker controller may be configured to rotate a solar tracker comprising a group of solar panels to a safe position to diminish hail impact during a hailstorm. Such a rotation may be implemented using one or more motors to drive arc gears coupled to a pair of supporting purlins that support the group of solar panels. The tracker may comprise a bumper rail placed on the top when the tracker is at the safe position for hail impact absorption. Implementing solar panel protection provides a practical solution to protect solar panels from damage. Thus, the need for costly repair or replacement may be avoided, minimized, or decreased. As a result, the economic efficiency of solar power plant operations may be improved significantly.

A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.

A method for installing one or more solar module A-frame supports includes: creating a bore extending a depth below a ground surface, placing a temporary support jig adjacent the bore, inserting a leg of a solar module A-frame support into the bore such that a portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support is within the bore and a portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support contacts the temporary support jig, when the portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support is within the bore and the portion of the leg of the solar module A-frame support contacts the temporary support jig, pouring concrete into the bore, and, after pouring concrete into the bore, removing the temporary support jig from contact with the leg of the solar module A-frame support.

A solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to an upright support post for rotatably supporting a torque tube beam of a solar tracker assembly and including: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a stationary saddle assembly. The rotatable bearing assembly includes a central portion and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions, the central portion defining a beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion including a second arcuate rim bearing, and the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly. The stationary saddle assembly includes a first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the second arcuate rim bearing.

A solar module support and foundation system includes a first concrete foundation, a second concrete foundation, and a solar module A-frame support. The first concrete foundation is within a first bore and includes a first concrete foundation stem portion and a first concrete foundation reamed bulb portion. The second foundation is within a second bore and includes a second concrete foundation stem portion and a second concrete foundation reamed bulb portion. A first leg distal end of the A-frame support is nested within the first concrete foundation at each of the first concrete foundation stem and reamed bulb portions, and a second leg distal end of the A-frame support is nested within the second concrete foundation at each of the second concrete foundation stem and reamed bulb portions.

Systems and methods for triggering a stowing of one or more solar trackers comprise receiving weather data, the weather data including one or more hail parameters, determining the one or more hail parameters exceed a first corresponding one or more hail parameter thresholds, and triggering a stowing of one or more solar trackers. The one or more hail parameters include one or more of a probability of hail, a predicted size of hail, or a predicted location of hail. The systems and methods include one or more of determining the probability of hail exceeds the first hail probability threshold, determining the predicted size of hail exceeds the first hail size threshold, or determining the predicted location of hail exceeds the first threshold distance for trigging the stowing of the one or more solar trackers.

A coupling system for solar trackers is disclosed. The coupling system can reduce the number of fasteners and labor required for securing solar modules to torque tubes. The system includes a support rail, a strap assembly, and a fastening assembly. The support rail features an upper surface for receiving solar modules and a lower surface with spaced protuberances forming a gap to accommodate a torque tube. Inner surfaces of the protuberances can inhibit rotation of the torque tube relative to the support rail. The fastening assembly includes retaining bolts with adjustable gaps to secure solar modules of varying thicknesses. Spring arms and biasing elements enhance module retention and alignment. The strap assembly clamps the support rail to the torque tube which can ensure stability.

A method for coupling a solar module frame to a torque tube of a solar tracker using a hooked flange solar module frame coupling apparatus includes: positioning a hook portion the of frame component relative to a frame receiving receptacle at a rail; moving the hook portion of the frame from a biased, coupling configuration to a receptacle entry configuration via contact between the hook portion and the rail; and moving the hook portion from the receptacle entry configuration to the biased, coupling configuration to couple the frame to the rail.

A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.

A solar tracker assembly including a drive mechanism including a rotating drive rotatable about a drive mechanism axis of rotation and a table pivoted by the rotating drive. The table includes first and second torque tube beam segments; first and second drive journals affixed to opposite sides of the rotating drive, longitudinal center lines of the drive journals coincident with the drive mechanism axis of rotation. The table further includes first and second bearings, an end of the first torque tube beam segment coupled to the first bearing to rotate about the first bearing axis of rotation and an end of the second torque tube beam segment coupled the second bearing to rotate about the second bearing axis of rotation. The first and second bearing axes of rotation are vertically offset from the longitudinal center lines of the first and second drive journals and the drive mechanism axis of rotation.

A method of snow removal for a plurality of solar tracker assemblies. The steps of the method include: a) determining at least one current snow presence variable value associated with the solar tracker installation; b) determining at least one other current variable value associated with the solar tracker installation selected from one or more of the following variable categories: 1) a weather condition variable category; 2) a temporal variable category; 3) a weather prediction variable category; and 4) a snow removal routine variable category; c) applying the decision rule to determine if the at least one current snow presence variable value and the least one other current variable value correspond to a snow removal condition; and d) if the decision rule determines that the current variable values correspond to a snow removal condition, executing the snow removal routine for a set of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies.

A solar tracker support frame assembly includes a multi-leg solar tracker support frame and a hanging bearing housing assembly. The multi-leg solar tracker support frame includes first and second frame legs and a bridge extending between the first and second frame legs. The hanging bearing housing assembly is at the multi-leg solar tracker support frame and is configured to support a torque tube. The hanging bearing housing assembly includes a bearing sleeve and a torque tube connector. The bearing sleeve includes a first bearing sleeve portion and a hanging bearing sleeve portion. The first bearing sleeve portion interfaces with the bridge, and the hanging bearing sleeve portion extends out from the first bearing sleeve portion below the bridge. The torque tube connector is configured to couple the torque tube to the hanging bearing housing assembly at least at the hanging bearing sleeve portion below the bridge.

Described herein are systems and methods for reducing damage to solar tracker systems during severe weather, such as hailstorms. In one example, a solar module assembly, with edge protection against hail damage, includes a solar module that holds a plurality of photovoltaic cells, the solar module having a front surface and a sidewall extending from the front surface. A frame having a frame wall, which includes a first wall, is disposed about a perimeter of the solar module sidewall and supports the solar module. Further, a hail absorption wall extends along and is spaced from the first wall. The hail absorption wall is attached to the frame and resilient and deflectable towards the first wall. The hail absorption wall absorbs impact energy from hail falling in a direction towards the first wall.

The invention discloses a flexible photovoltaic support, and relates to the technical field of flexible supports. The device comprises a first supporting frame and a second supporting frame, one surface of the first supporting frame and one surface of the second supporting frame are each provided with an arc-shaped rail groove, two sliding blocks are slidably connected into each arc-shaped rail groove, and a main steel strand is fixedly arranged between the sliding blocks on the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame; a plurality of photovoltaic assemblies are arranged on the upper surface of the main steel strand, a first adjusting assembly is arranged on the first supporting frame, a second adjusting assembly is arranged on the second supporting frame, auxiliary supports are fixed to the two opposite surfaces of the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame, and four auxiliary steel strands are arranged between the two auxiliary supports. According to the invention, the structure is simple, the adaptability is good, the first adjusting assembly and the second adjusting assembly are matched with the solar tracker, and the light facing angle of the photovoltaic assembly can be flexibly adjusted according to the change of illumination, so that the maximum charging efficiency is realized.

The invention discloses an intelligent double-shaft solar tracker based on photosensitive sensing and double-steering-engine driving. A support comprises a bottom platform, a fixing rod and a top platform. The fixed rod is connected with the bottom platform through a second steering engine; a solar panel is mounted on the upper surface of the top platform; the bottom of the top platform is connected with a fixed rod through a first steering engine; a photosensitive sensor is installed on the solar panel and used for detecting the sun illumination direction in real time. The photosensitive sensor is connected to the development board through a wire. The development board is connected with the main board and is responsible for receiving data of the photosensitive sensor, calculating an adjustment angle and sending a control instruction; the mainboard is connected with the first steering engine and the second steering engine to receive a control signal of the development board, and drives the first steering engine and the second steering engine to adjust the orientation of the solar panel; the battery is connected with the mainboard, the development board, the first steering engine and the second steering engine through a first wire and a second wire. A double-steering-engine driving technology is used, and double-shaft tracking is achieved.

The present invention relates to fabricating a pilot-scale solar tracker continuous flow reactor for the photochemical reaction. The present invention, particularly, relates to a pilot scale process for synthesis of formula 1, which key intermediates of various intermediate of various angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). More particularly, the present invention relates to an integrated continuous flow reactor platform with Bayesian optimization (BO) assisted reaction optimization that can autonomously explore the optimal conditions for photochemical bromination reaction for the synthesis of Formula 1 and Formula 2. Moreover, autonomously explored bromination conditions are seamlessly integrated with continuous flow tools to synthesize, extract, and purify the Angiotensin II receptor blocker intermediate (formula 3).

A solar tracker, solar array, and method of designing a solar tracker or array including a plurality of piers, a torque tube supported by the piers, each pier having a common reveal from the earth and the torque tube has a relative angle from a first pier to a second pier of between 0.25 and about 0.75 degrees.

A coupling system for use with a solar tracker and a method of use are described herein. The coupling system includes a support rail having a torque tube receiving surface configured to interface with a torque tube. One or more rigid arms configured to couple the support rail to the torque tube, each rigid arm pivotably connected to the support rail and being pivotable about a rotational axis. The one or more rigid arms configured to extend at least partially around the torque tube and pivotable into a closed position. The one or more rigid arms having one or more distal ends fastenable to secure the one or more rigid arms in the closed position.

This disclosure describes an articulated support for a solar array that enables installation of the array upon uneven terrain while still enabling solar tracking using a rotating shaft. By using articulating supports as discussed herein, a single motor or actuator can rotate a tracking shaft, and thereby rotate each panel attached to the shaft, even when the solar array does not form a straight line. For example, if support piles for the array initially start on flat terrain, then climb an incline, a single rotating shaft would need to "bend" in order to follow the curvature of the terrain, yet still be able to transmit torque. Because of the forces generated by such a "bend" when using conventional supports in an uneven environment, the torque required to rotate a single shaft will be higher than that required to rotate a series of shafts using the articulated supports discussed herein.

A control system for a solar tracker assembly installation including a plurality of solar tracker assemblies, each of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies including a table supporting photovoltaic modules and rotatable through an angle of inclination. The solar tracker control system includes: a plurality of solar tracker controllers periodically outputting table angle of inclination data and solar tracker assembly operating data for the associated solar tracker assembly; a plurality of weather sensors, each outputting weather condition data; and an array controller in direct, wireless communications with each solar tracker controller and each weather sensor. The array controller analyzing communicated table angle of inclination data, the tracker operating data and the weather condition data and, as required, wirelessly communicating control signals to one or more solar tracker controllers of the plurality of solar tracker controllers to change a table angle of inclination of the one or more solar tracker assemblies.

This invention is embodied in an energy yield optimization device that can be used to optimize energy yields for a utility-scale photovoltaic power plant. More specifically, this solution is directed to utility-scale photovoltaic power plants that have undulating (non-planar) topography. Because of the undulating topography, the rotating axles of the solar trackers will not necessarily be horizontal and would be expected to be different for each independent rotating axle in the field. The preferred solution claimed herein deploys a marching algorithm to find the preferred optimum solution.

A support structure for solar trackers with thermal expansion mitigation includes a frame rotatably coupled to one or more ground piles. The support structure further includes a pivot bracket rotatably coupled to a portion of the frame with the pivot bracket including a pivot pin to which torque tube clamps are rotatably coupled. The torque tube clamps are affixed to a torque tube and solar modules are affixed to the torque tube via one or more mounting brackets. Thermal expansion / contraction of the torque tube is translated into rotational movement of the frame relative to the one or more ground piles via the rotatable couplings including the pivot bracket. The rotational movement of the frame relative to the one or more ground piles enables the torque tube to expand / contract while mitigating mechanical stress of the support structure.

A toolless fastening assembly for a solar power system including a first strap portion having a first connector, a second strap portion having a second connector, and a boot buckle extending a buckle distance between a first buckle end and a second buckle end. The first buckle end is connectable to the first connector and the second buckle end is connectable to the second connector. The boot buckle includes a latch lever that is rotatable between a first lever position and a second lever position. Rotation of the latch lever from the first lever position to the second lever position shortens the buckle distance.

A coupling system for use with a solar tracker includes a support rail defining a channel for receipt of a solar module therein, the support rail including an aperture defined therein that is in open communication with the channel and a clamp assembly selectively coupled to the support rail, a first portion of the clamp assembly configured to receive a portion of a torque tube therein and a second portion of the clamp assembly configured to selectively extend through the aperture of the support rail when the clamp assembly is transitioned from a first, unlocked position, to a second, locked position.

A solar tracker bearing housing includes a housing, a pin aperture at the housing, a rotatable ring rotatably seated at the pin aperture, and a pin received at the rotatable ring. The pin is configured to rotatably connect to at least one torque tube to cause the pin to rotate with the torque tube in a first plane, and the pin is configured to pivot with the rotatable ring in a second, different plane to change an angular orientation of the pin relative to the pin aperture.

A supporting system for rotating shafts (3) which can be arranged inclined with respect to one another having a supporting pillar (2.1), a first rotating shaft (3.1) which is supported on the supporting pillar (2.1) by a first bearing assembly (5.1), and a second rotating shaft (3.2) which is supported on the supporting pillar (2.1) by a second bearing assembly (5.2), the first bearing assembly (5.1) and / or the second bearing assembly (5.2) having a spherical bearing (5.4) capable of rotating freely both about the corresponding rotating shaft (3, 3.1, 3.2) and out of the plane perpendicular to the rotating shaft (3), (3.1), (3.2).

An assembly includes one or more photovoltaic solar trackers; a rechargeable power supply system, including power supply elements to power the tracker or trackers; a charging system, to recharge the power elements; and a tracker controller. The assembly stands out for including one or more supercapacitors as power supply elements. The invention makes it possible to arrange the power supply elements at low temperatures without the need for heaters, increase their useful life and reduce their size.

Solar irradiance incident on the surface of the earth is typically classified into three components: global horizontal irradiance (GHI), diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) and direct normal irradiance (DNI). Accurate measurements of these irradiance components are vital for many applications but for an ever-increasing number of PV sites, in addition to measuring the GHI, the measurement of DHI is mandated or required. Many instruments from several manufacturers exist to perform these tasks, such as a pyranometer and a pyrheliometer requiring a suite of at least these two expensive instruments and a solar tracker to perform the required measurements. Accordingly, the invention provides users with a single instrument with no moving external parts capable of measuring all three irradiance components, thereby simplifying the data acquisition and minimizing equipment cost whilst providing measurements with low uncertainty.

The utility model relates to a support system for a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft can be arranged to be inclined relative to each other, the system comprises a support pillar (2.1), a first rotating shaft (3.1) supported on the support pillar (2.1) through a first bearing assembly (5.1), and a second rotating shaft (3.2) supported on the support pillar (2.1) through a second bearing assembly (5.2), the first bearing assembly (5.1) and / or the second bearing assembly (5.2) comprises a spherical bearing (5.4) which can be freely rotated about a respective axis of rotation and out of a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The utility model also relates to a solar tracker.

The utility model relates to a connecting system for a transmission rod of a solar tracker, which is characterized in that the transmission rod of the solar tracker connects a main rotating shaft of a motorized first rotating module to a driven shaft of a second rotating module without a motor, and is connected to the first rotating module and the second rotating module by virtue of a first universal joint and a second universal joint; the first universal joint and the second universal joint are respectively fastened to respective connecting output parts of the first rotating module and the second rotating module, and each universal joint is provided with a connecting end corresponding to the connecting output part; the other end of the first universal joint and the other end of the second universal joint are respectively provided with a tubular connecting output part which is used for being connected with a transmission rod and is provided with a polygonal cross section, the transmission rod is correspondingly provided with a polygonal structure, and the first end can be longitudinally and slidably connected to the connecting output part of the first universal joint; and a connection output in which the second end is fixedly connectable to the second universal joint.