A solar installation has a support (1) and a support frame (4) for solar modules (6), which are combined to form a solar panel (7). The support frame (4) can be pivoted on the support (1) about an elevation axis (5) and the support frame (4) forms, with respect to the elevation axis (5), a bottom section (10) on the ground side and an adjoining top section (11), whose width extension (L.sub.2) perpendicular to the elevation axis (5) is greater than the width extension (L.sub.1) of the bottom section (10). The top section (11) of the solar panel (7) has flow passage openings (12) at least between groups of solar modules (6) while the bottom section (10) is at least largely wind-impermeable.

The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

A header for photovoltaic module support system and a photovoltatic module support system is disclosed. In various embodiments the header includes a beam and a plurality of strongback mounting tabs attached to the beam, each of the plurality of strongback mounting tabs attached to the beam such that the mounting tabs have an upward face that is mounted generally flush with an upward surface of the beam such that the upward face of the mounting tab and the upward surface of the beam define a support surface for an attachable strongback. In various embodiments the header includes a standoff and stabilizing rod attached to a downward surface of the beam, the stabilizing rod having a first end and second end attached to the downward surface of the beam with a main body that extends lengthwise with the beam and radially outward over the standoff.

A solar panel assembly comprises a plurality of solar panel arrays, each substantially parallel, where the plurality of solar panel arrays comprises a windward array located at an upwind perimeter of the solar panel assembly, where each of the plurality of solar panel arrays comprises a plurality of racking structures. The rotatable shaft of the windward array comprises a thickness and a length that provides a torsional stiffness, which allows the rotatable shaft of the windward array to deflect 60-80 degrees from a horizontal plane, that is perpendicular to length of the stationary structural member, in response to an applied torque from wind speeds on the windward array in excess of 70 mph, thus positioning the solar panels mounted to the windward array to shield the plurality of solar panel arrays located downwind from the windward array from high wind loads.

The present disclosure provides a thermomechanical actuator and a cleaning system implementing the thermomechanical actuator. The thermomechanical actuator includes a solar heat collector (SHC) housing shape memory alloy springs connected between a piston movably disposed therein and one end of the SHC. A cable extending from the piston through an opposite end of the SHC is connected to a bias load that develops returning force on the springs. In presence of solar radiation, the springs contract and cause linear movement of the piston in a direction of contraction and, in absence of the solar radiation, the springs expand and cause linear movement of the piston in direction of expansion. Useful power and work is extracted in form of the cleaning system from such linear movement of the piston.

A solar racking system for mitigating deformation and fatigue at critical joints and for providing increased clamping force between solar racking and solar panels is disclosed. The solar racking system includes one or more shock mount systems configured to reduce vibrations within the solar racking system, thereby preventing hole elongation and in turn, allowing the solar racking system to withstand critical wind events and other harsh weather conditions. Moreover, the solar racking system includes a dual clamp system having angled clamping plates and planar clamping plates configured to couple solar panels to racking of the solar system that provide increased clamping force, thereby providing maximum strength and vibration resistance.