A solar tracking system for tracking the orientation of solar energy is disclosed. The solar tracking system may be integrated with solar cells and solar concentrators. The solar tracking system may have a first (22) and second (24) tracker module array that are opposite from another, aligned in substantially identical orientation, and form a tracker module pair array (1000). Tracker module pairs (12, 14; 12, 144) may allow motion relative to one another while maintaining substantially identical orientation. Solar concentrators may be attached to opposing tracker modules of a tracker module pair forming an array of solar concentrators. A base bar array (28) may be coupled to at least one tracker module pair. A transmission may operably rotate the base bar array and the tracker module pair array simultaneously.

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 solar tracker 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.

Systems and methods are provided for rotatably mounting and locking solar (e.g., photovoltaic) panels. For example, the solar panels can be mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis so as to track the sun over the course of the day, and can be locked in a suitable position during high-wind conditions. A drive mechanism includes a drive shaft, pinion gear coupled to the drive shaft, and arc gear coupled to a solar panel, and a locking mechanism includes a lock plate coupled to the arc gear and including a reaction surface. The pinion gear includes a bearing surface. When the drive shaft rotates a first amount, engagement between pinion gear teeth and arc gear teeth rotates the arc gear. When the drive shaft rotates a second amount, the arc gear rotates to a stow position where the reaction surface bears against the bearing surface, locking the arc gear.

A multi-drive solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. In an example, several motor drives input torque to the torque tube, and the motor drives are controlled by a single controller. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the adjoined torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.

A parabolic trough collector module comprising an absorber tube, a parabolic reflector focusing the solar radiation to the absorber tube and with a reflector surface, and at least one support de-vice on which the parabolic reflector is mounted so that it can pivot. The support device includes a support head projecting over the reflector surface in the vertical direction, on which the absorber tube is mounted by a linear bearing structure forming a linear guide.

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 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.

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.

Disclosed is a rotation apparatus of a pole system for photovoltaic power generation, the rotation apparatus comprising: a first tubular body connected to a solar panel array; a second tubular body coupled to a lower portion of the first tubular body and fixed on the upper end of a pole; a gear unit for transferring rotating force to the first tubular body; a driving motor for providing the gear unit with the rotating force; and a contact part of at least 3-points of contact, which is installed on coupling portions of the first tubular body and the second tubular body and maintains a contact state during the relative rotation of the first and second tubular bodies to transfer the power or a signal.