Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.

Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.

A control system for a solar energy system causes motor assemblies to pivot the photovoltaic (PV) arrays of the solar energy system about respective longitudinal axes, e.g., to track the sun across the sky. The solar energy system also has an inverter with a known inverter rating, e.g., for a given output level and ambient temperature. The control system is programmed, inter alia, to determine when a calculated electrical output of the PV arrays, e.g., a future electrical output during an imminent future time period, exceeds the inverter rating. The control system then causes some or all of the PV arrays to pivot out of regular solar tracking mode into a position that introduces higher cosine losses, so as to reduce real-time electrical output from at least the direct normal component of real-time solar irradiance incident on the PV arrays involved in order not to exceed the inverter rating, or to exceed it less.

A mufti-surface stand is disclosed. The stand may comprise a main body, a rotation body connected to the main body and configured to rotate in a horizontal plane, an arm shaft connected to the rotation body, a main arm connected the arm shaft and configured to tilt in a vertical direction, a v-clamp connected to the main arm, a pan knob inserted into the main body and configured to be tightened to cause the rotation body to be prevented from rotating, a leg rotatably connected to the main body, the leg including a hollow portion configured to store therein a stake or auger having a base portion, and an integrated rotatable foot, configured to rotate between a folded position and a ground mount position.

A mechanically powered solar tracking system is disclosed. The mechanically powered solar tracking system may include a carriage, a carriage mount connected to the carriage, a pivot shaft including a pivot gear connected to the carriage or, a complex gearbox, a base including legs, a tracker disposed on the base, the tracker including a mechanical energy storage system and a movement modulating system. The mechanical energy storage system may be configured to store mechanical energy as the carriage is rotated from a first position to a second position, and the movement modulation system may be configured to modulate a rotation of the carriage from the second position to the first position as the mechanical energy storage system exerts a rotational force on the carriage.

A solar tracking system is disclosed. The solar tracking system may comprise at least one processor, a memory coupled to the at least one processor, a carriage mount, a carriage, an altitude motor connected to the carriage, an azimuth motor connected to the carriage, and a tracking application, residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor. The tracking application may be configured to run the altitude motor and azimuth motor in a predictive manner, such that a solar panel connected to the carriage is positioned in a way to increase solar irradiation of the solar panel.

A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.

Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.

Disclosed herein is a technique of configuring flexible photovoltaic tracker systems with high damping and low angle stow positions. Under dynamic environmental loads implementing a high amount of damping (e.g., greater than 25% of critical damping, greater than 50% of critical damping) or a very high amount of damping (e.g., 100% or greater of critical damping, infinite damping) enables the flexible tracker system to prevent problematic aeroelastic behaviors while positioned in a low stow angle. The disclosed technique is further applied to a prototyping process during wind tunnel testing.