Various systems and methods enabling low cost solar tracker systems including lower cost mounting assemblies and fasteners are described herein. Reducing the material, manufacturing costs and/or labor required for assembly of solar tracker components can present significant reductions in the cost of solar tracker systems. In an embodiment, a hollow fastener can significantly lower the cost of solar tracker mounting and coupling assemblies while still maintaining strength and structural integrity of the solar tracker system.

Exemplary systems and methods described herein can be used to secure a rail to a module or the rail to a support using a nut that can be inserted at a desired point of mounting. Another exemplary system describes a flashing to be inserted under a roof shingle, wherein the flashing is secured to a support for a rail or module. Yet another exemplary system describes a clamp that secures a rail or module and is adjustable along the length of a post. Spacers can be added to the post to extend the adjustment range of the clamp.

A building rooftop mounting structure including a sacrificial material that allows freedom of movement between itself and the rooftop as well as between itself and the mounting structure.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.

A support structure (10) for carrying a plurality of heliostats (12) is provided. The support structure (10) includes a frame (20) formed from a number of girders (22). The frame has a triangular outer perimeter and a plurality of mountings (26) for carrying the heliostats (12) are provided along the perimeter. At least one mounting (26) is provided at or near each vertex (16) of the triangular outer perimeter of the frame (20), and at least one additional mounting (26) is provided part-way along each side (17) of the triangular outer perimeter of the frame (20).

Methods, systems, and devices for a triangular heliostat structure comprising a heliostat drive mounted on a post at each corner of the structure. Embodiments include determining an installation position of a heliostat structure based on the position of an adjacent heliostat structure when a pivotable spacing bar is detachably attached to at least two posts of the heliostat structures and may be based on the heliostat structures comprising three posts in a triangular configuration.

A one-piece, monolithic tile support mount attaches to a roof and provides rigid structural support for a lateral attachment bar or L-foot that is used to hold a height-adjustable mounting mechanism or mounting rail, which is used to attach solar photovoltaic panels to the roof of a roof covered with roofing tiles. A custom-designed, sheet-metal or polymer, aperture-less replacement tile is mounted between the lateral attachment bar or the L-foot and the tile support mount. Also provided is a compact, magnetic positioning tool that provides proper alignment of a drill bit when drilling or punching holes through the replacement tile.

A one-piece, monolithic tile support mount attaches to a roof and provides rigid structural support for a lateral attachment bar or L-foot that is used to hold a height-adjustable mounting mechanism or mounting rail, which is used to attach solar photovoltaic panels to the roof of a roof covered with roofing tiles. A custom-designed, sheet-metal or polymer, aperture-less replacement tile is mounted between the lateral attachment bar or the L-foot and the tile support mount. Also provided is a compact, magnetic positioning tool that provides proper alignment of a drill bit when drilling or punching holes through the replacement tile.

This disclosure relates to an assembly and method for attaching a heliostat to a foundation in a tower-based solar thermal CSP installation. A heliostat securing assembly for securing a heliostat to a tubular foundation post comprises an insert locatable within an upper opening in the foundation post, the insert defining an aperture for receiving a support shaft of the heliostat. A clamp arrangement, for locating the insert in the upper opening in the foundation post, has at least one inner or outer bearing surface configured to bear against at least one corresponding outer or inner bearing surface of the insert. One or more urging connectors, for connecting the insert and the clamp arrangement, is operable to urge at least one of the insert and the clamp arrangement toward the other in an axial direction of the foundation post. At least one of the at least one outer or inner bearing surface and the at least one corresponding inner or outer bearing surface is configured to transform at least a portion of relative axial movement between the insert and the clamp into relative transverse movement such that, when the insert is located in the upper opening in the foundation post, operation of the urging connector(s) urges at least one of the insert and clamp arrangement in the transverse direction to clamp the securing assembly between the support shaft and foundation post and thereby secure the heliostat to the foundation post.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.