Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

A solar panel support apparatus comprising: a support frame for holding the solar panel; a support post pivotally connected to the support frame at a post pivot connection and anchored to an adjacent supporting surface, the support post for positioning the support frame above the supporting surface; and a linear actuator coupled at a proximal end to the support post by a support pivot connection and at a distal end by a frame pivot connection with the support frame, the post pivot connection and the frame pivot connection spaced apart from one another on the support frame; wherein a change in a length of the linear actuator results in pivoting of the support frame about the post pivot connection.

A two-piece truss leg with an articulating coupler for an A-frame-shaped truss foundation system for single-axis trackers. The coupler is attached to the head of each screw anchor to enable it to be driven. A connection portion extends above the coupler and is received within an open end of an upper leg to allow the upper leg to be misaligned with respect to it corresponding screw anchor.

A pivoting unit for a tracking apparatus for solar modules, comprising at least one cross member pivotable about a pivot axis, at least one drive arch, which is connected to the at least one cross member and has a plurality of drive recesses and a plurality of retaining recesses, and at least one rotatably mounted drive unit, the rotatably mounted drive unit being designed such that it engages in at least one of the drive recesses of the drive arch in order to pivot the at least one cross member. The drive unit is designed in such a way that it engages in at least one of the retaining recesses in order to hold the cross member in a pivoted position.

A one-piece truss adapter for supporting single-axis trackers with truss foundations. A y-shaped structure has a pair of legs with an angularly adjustable connector for securely joining the one-piece adapter to a pair of driven screw anchors at different angular orientations. Each leg terminates in a ball-shaped connector that is received in a socket integral to a driving coupler at the head of each screw anchor. A retaining nut holds the connector in place to complete the angularly adjustable assembly.

A two-piece truss leg with an articulating coupler for an A-frame-shaped truss foundation system for single-axis trackers. The coupler is attached to the head of each screw anchor to enable it to be driven. A connection portion extends above the coupler and is received within an open end of an upper leg to allow the upper leg to be misaligned with respect to it corresponding screw anchor.

A track-wheel based device is disclosed. The track-wheel based device may include a longitudinal member substantially perpendicular to an axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The track-wheel based device may further include a first lateral member and a second lateral member, each being substantially parallel to the axis of motion of the track-wheel based device. The longitudinal member may be coupled to the first lateral member at a first location of the first lateral member and to the second lateral member at a first location of the second lateral member. The first lateral member and the second lateral member may be configured to undergo a relative angular rotation, in response to a planar misalignment of four or more points of contact between two or more guide tracks for the track-wheel based device and the track-wheel based device.

Support platforms for one or more solar panels and systems and methods for securing support platforms are provided. In one embodiment, a frame of a support platform includes a plurality of support legs, each leg including a shoe plate. One or more toggle anchors with rod and/or cable are provided that include an anchor portion and a toggle portion pivotally coupled to the anchor portion, and a rod and/or cable is coupled to the toggle portion. Each anchor is driven into the ground with a driving rod such that an exposed end of the rod and/or cable extends from the ground. The driving rod is removed, and the rod and/or cable is pulled to deploy the anchor, and which the anchor is pull tested and measured in real time soil conditions whereupon the exposed end is coupled to the shoe plate of one of the support legs to apply a desired tensile force between the exposed end and the anchor to secure the support leg and, consequently, the support platform relative to the ground.

An A-frame-shaped truss foundation system for a single-axis tracker with a bearing assembly sitting atop a pair of adjacent angled truss legs joined together with an adapter so that the axis of rotation of the tracker is aligned with a work point of the A-frame. Several such foundation systems are arranged along a North-South row to support a tracker torque tube.