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.

A bearing axle for photovoltaic modules includes at least two tubes, which each have a non-circular cross section at least in one end region. The non-circular cross sections of the at least two tubes are designed to correspond to each other such that a non-rotatable connection between at least one first and at least one second of the at least two tubes can be produced by way of inserting the at least one first of the at least two tubes into the at least one second of the at least two tubes. The bearing axle includes at least one separate connection means, which can be arranged intermediately between at least two tubes, and by way of which the particular at least two tubes are connectible non-rotatably to each other by form-lockingly coupling the at least one connection means to their free end regions with non-circular cross sections.

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.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

A solar tracker with orientable solar panels arranged in rows, having at least two rows of photovoltaic modules (1) carrying the solar panels (2), arranged on pillars (6), the solar panels (2) mounted on respective rotation axes (3) longitudinally associated with each other by rotation transmission (5), driven by at least one motor (4) establishing the movement of all the solar panels (2) from a single actuation point, the rows of photovoltaic modules (1) related to each other by at least one transmission bar (7), joined by universal joints (8), to respective rotation transmission (5), the drive motor (4) is coupled in longitudinal alignment with respect to a transverse transmission (12) that meshes with a rotation transmission (5) and with respect to which the universal joint (8) of one end of the corresponding transmission bar (7) is joined in longitudinal alignment on the other side.

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

A mounting assembly may include an arced connecting member that includes a first drive chain along a bottom surface of the arced connecting member, a second drive chain positioned adjacent to the first drive chain, and a third drive chain in a gap between the first and the second drive chains. The mounting assembly may include an intermittent-motion drive system that has a drive wheel with a nub extending from a lateral surface of the drive wheel, the nub being shaped to interface with notches included along the third drive chain. The intermittent-motion drive system may include a first and a second protrusion shaped to interface with surfaces of the first and second drive chains, respectively. Rotation of a drive axle extending through the drive wheel may affect rotation of the drive wheel, rotational movement of the nub extending from the drive wheel, and movement of the arced connecting member.

The present invention concerns a solar tracker (1000) comprising at least: A drive module (1100) comprising at least one mobile device comprising at least: At least one additional module (1200) configured to be driven by the drive module (1100), each additional module (1200) comprising at least one additional mobile device comprising at least:
characterized in that: Said solar tracker (1000) comprises at least one kinematic device (1300) for coupling said drive module (1100) and said additional module (1200); Said kinematic coupling device (1300) comprising at least one first part (1330) and at least one second part (1340), said first part (1330) being entirely supported by the mobile device of the drive module (1100) and said second part (1340) being entirely supported by the additional mobile device of the additional module (1200).

The pneumatic solar tracking system for solar panels adjusts the angular orientation of a solar panel to maximize exposure of an upper surface of the solar panel to incident solar radiation from the sun as the sun moves across the sky. The pneumatic solar tracking system includes a base and a platform supported above the base. The platform has an opening formed therein. A plurality of pneumatic actuators are supported on the base beneath the opening formed in the platform. The solar panel is supported on an upper surface of the platform, and a plurality of pivotal connectors pivotally connect the lower surface of the solar panel to respective pistons of the plurality of pneumatic actuators. Each of the pivotal connectors pivots along at least two orthogonal axes. An optical sensor is provided for detecting and tracking the angular position of the sun.

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.