Patents Assigned to NEXTRACKER INC.
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Publication number: 20220278643Abstract: Solar array (1) comprising solar modules (3) distributed in rows (10), each solar module comprising solar collector (5) carried by a single-axis solar tracker (4), a reference solar power plant (2) comprising a central reference solar module and at least one secondary reference solar module, and a piloting unit (7) adapted for: piloting the angular orientation of the central reference module according to a central reference orientation setpoint corresponding to an initial orientation setpoint, piloting the orientation of each secondary reference module according to a secondary reference orientation setpoint corresponding to the initial orientation setpoint shifted by a predefined offset angle; receiving an energy production value from each reference module; piloting the orientation of the modules, except for the reference modules, by applying the reference orientation setpoint associated to the reference module having the highest production value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: Madyan MICHOTTE DE WELLE, Jérôme ARLIAUD
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Patent number: 11404996Abstract: The present disclosure describes a solar power system including rails, solar modules, and a plurality of adjustable clips to secure the solar modules to the rails. The clips include at least a base member, an elastomeric support member, a bracket member, and an alignment member configured to secure the various members of the clip together. The adjustable clips are configured to slide within a slot defined through a portion of a surface of a rail and including a recessed edge thereby allowing the rail system to accommodate solar modules of varying dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.Inventor: Tyler Watson
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Publication number: 20220224283Abstract: Methods and systems of managing dynamic response to wind in a solar tracker system are provided. The method includes determining a wind speed, comparing the wind speed to a predetermined threshold value to determine if the wind speed equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, positioning a windward most solar tracker to a predetermined angle based on the comparing, and positioning a leeward most solar tracker to the predetermined angle based on the comparing. The solar trackers are positioned at the predetermined angle at a predetermined interval starting at the windward most solar tracker and the remaining solar trackers remain in a normal operating condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: Stuart Upfill-Brown, Tushar Guha, Jacob Mark Morin
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Publication number: 20220149772Abstract: A solar module mounting bracket assembly includes a rail configured to support a solar module thereon, and a pair of braces. The braces each have a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The braces are movable relative to the rail between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the braces cooperatively define a channel dimensioned for receipt of a frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: Tyler Joseph WATSON, Ricardo DELGADO-NANEZ
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Patent number: 11327143Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
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Patent number: 11316468Abstract: A method and system for cleaning an array of solar panels. The system can include an applicator apparatus configured with a plurality of cleaning devices, and an automatic position system (APS) configured with the applicator apparatus. The APS can include a first and second sensor coupled to the applicator apparatus. A controller coupled to the first and second sensor devices can be configured to adjust a position of the applicator apparatus to maintain the plurality of cleaning devices in a direction facing a solar panel to facilitate a removal of an undesired material from the solar panel, while the applicator apparatus is moved from a first position to a second position. A mobile vehicle can be configured with the applicator apparatus to move along a row of the array of solar panels to perform the method for cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventor: Daniel Shugar
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Patent number: 11307284Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
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Patent number: 11300326Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Yu Dong Ma, Yang Liu, Francesco Borrelli, Allan Daly, Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Alexander W. Au
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Patent number: 11296647Abstract: Solar array (1) comprising solar modules (3) distributed in rows (10), each solar module comprising solar collector (5) carried by a single-axis solar tracker (4), a reference solar power plant (2) comprising a central reference solar module and at least one secondary reference solar module, and a piloting unit (7) adapted for: piloting the angular orientation of the central reference module according to a central reference orientation setpoint corresponding to an initial orientation setpoint, piloting the orientation of each secondary reference module according to a secondary reference orientation setpoint corresponding to the initial orientation setpoint shifted by a predefined offset angle; receiving an energy production value from each reference module; piloting the orientation of the modules, except for the reference modules, by applying the reference orientation setpoint associated to the reference module having the highest production value.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Madyan Michotte De Welle, Jérôme Arliaud
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Patent number: 11283395Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
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Patent number: 11280522Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: Yu Dong Ma, Yang Liu, Francesco Borrelli, Allan Daly, Ricardo Delgado-Nanez, Alexander W. Au
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Patent number: 11251746Abstract: Methods and systems of managing dynamic response to wind in a solar tracker system are provided. The method includes determining a wind speed, comparing the wind speed to a predetermined threshold value to determine if the wind speed equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, positioning a windward most solar tracker to a predetermined angle based on the comparing, and positioning a leeward most solar tracker to the predetermined angle based on the comparing. The solar trackers are positioned at the predetermined angle at a predetermined interval starting at the windward most solar tracker and the remaining solar trackers remain in a normal operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Stuart Upfill-Brown, Tushar Guha, Jacob Mark Morin
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Patent number: 11251748Abstract: A solar module mounting bracket assembly includes a rail configured to support a solar module thereon, and a pair of braces. The braces each have a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The braces are movable relative to the rail between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the braces cooperatively define a channel dimensioned for receipt of a frame member.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Tyler Joseph Watson, Ricardo Delgado-Nanez
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Publication number: 20220026110Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: Yu Dong MA, Yang Liu, Francesco BORRELLI, Allan DALY, Ricardo DELGADO-NANEZ, Alexander W. AU
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Patent number: 11196381Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker orientable about an axis of rotation, including observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker; determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker, depending on the observed cloud coverage; predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage; calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage; servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: Jérôme Arliaud, Adrien Crucifix, Philippe Blanc
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Publication number: 20210359149Abstract: A solar tracker including solar modules which include, a frame and a plurality of bifacial solar cells supported by the frame. The solar modules also including a gap formed between two or more of the solar cells, the gap being formed proximate a centerline of the solar modules and configured to a allow passage of light from a first side of the solar modules to a second side of a solar modules, where the light passing through the gap is reflected back onto the plurality of bifacial solar cells and converted to electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventors: Greg Beardsworth, Venkata Rahul Abbaraju, Daniel Shugar
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Patent number: 11159120Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: NEXTracker Inc.Inventors: David E. Kresse, Samuel Heller
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Publication number: 20210313925Abstract: In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube. In an example, the assembly has a support structure configured as a frame having configured by a first anchoring region and a second anchoring region. In an example, the support structure is configured from a thickness of metal material. In an example, the support structure is configured in an upright manner, and has a major plane region. In an example, the assembly has a pivot device configured on the support structure and a torque tube suspending on the pivot device and aligned within an opening of the support and configured to be normal to the plane region. In an example, the torque tube is configured on the pivot device to move about an arc in a first direction or in a second direction such that the first direction is in a direction opposite to the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: NEXTracker Inc.Inventor: Alexander W. AU
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Patent number: 11121273Abstract: A solar module configured in a frame assembly with multi-configuration attachment member(s), which has locking and unlocking characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventor: Alexander W. Au
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Patent number: D941747Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: NEXTRACKER INC.Inventor: Alexander W. Au