Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: A utility-scale photovoltaic array composed of ground modules that have a contact region resting on the ground or a structure, with a three-dimensional region between the contact surface and the ground. The array includes connector systems between some modules that limit module movement, and the ground supports greater than 800 adjacent or conterminous modules that are flexibly joined in two dimensions. The array is capable of withstanding winds with speeds of greater than 150 mph (240 kph) and does not contain wind abatement stowing functionality or wind abatement extreme dampening functionality. The maximum height difference between adjacent modules is less than 4 inches, and the array comprises more than 10 rows and more than 10 columns of modules.

Abstract: An earth mount enabled utility scale solar photovoltaic array having a plurality of solar panels is supported on the ground at edge portions of the solar panels. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string, in which said at least one series-connected string extends along adjacent or closely adjacent solar panels along at least two rows so that the string has a distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string.

Abstract: An earth mount utility-scale solar photovoltaic array with modules on the ground. The site can have support regions with an elevation between ?20 cm and 40 cm of the ground. Implementations may include elevations between ?10 cm and 30 cm of the ground surface; more than one row of modules; connectors joining adjacent modules; modules flexibly joined in one or two dimensions; connectors joining 2-4 modules; connectors electrically bonding some modules to adjacent modules; contact points controlling a direction of a ray normal to a plane of the modules; a dc output, and a DC:AC output voltage ratio is 1.02, 1.9, 1.21.8, or 1.31.7. These or other implementations may configure the module arrangement such that the arrangement can withstanding wind speeds greater than 150 mph without containing stowing or extreme dampening functionality. Implementations of the described techniques may include solar arrays and related methods.

Abstract: In some implementations, the power plant may include an array having 200 or more modules. In addition, the array may have conterminous modules. Arrays may include modules having a contact point that rests on the ground or a contact surface of one or more structures. In some implementations, 90% of the power-plant arrays have 800 or more modules. In some plants, the ground supports 90 percent of the conterminous modules. In some plants, neither the plants nor the arrays do not contain stowing functionality or extreme dampening functionality.

Abstract: The present invention is a wire management device and system comprising a locking head and an elongated strap extending downwardly from a bottom of the locking head and configured to feed through a locking mechanism in the locking head to form a first fixed loop. The elongated strap comprises a length of material, a plurality of stops spaced evenly along the length of material and configured to prevent the elongated strap from moving through the through hole, and a plurality of ridges spaced evenly between the plurality of stops. The locking mechanism is configured to engage the plurality of ridges to allow the elongated strap to move in one direction through the locking mechanism and prevent the elongated strap from moving in an opposite direction. The plurality of stops are configured to prevent the elongated strap from moving further through the locking head.

Abstract: Leading-edge units for a PV array comprising fastener or component holes for anchoring the array bonding the array and protecting array cabling. The leading-edge units provide a favorable aerodynamic shape to help deflect incoming wind, the channel rainwater and to protect the edge of the array. Methods having steps of placing modules contacting native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground in an array and holding the array together and down are also disclosed.

Abstract: An earth-mount utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has modules supported on the ground to establish an earth orientation of the modules. These modules sit in a closely adjacent arrangement or an abutting arrangement of module rows. One general aspect includes a utility-scale group of modules that contains greater than 800 conterminous PV modules in which more than 80% of the modules are earth-mounted. Implementations may include the array having one or more of the following features: eight groups of modules; no connection to an inverter with an ac output; no stowing functionality or extreme dampening functionality. Implementations of the described techniques may include solar arrays and related methods.

Abstract: Modular cable assembly for utility scale PV modules. The assemblies contain pairs of cables that connect strings of PV modules to inverters for commercial electrical production. In some versions, the pairs are sheathed or laminated to contain the cable pairs and position the modular connectors for simple connection to the PV cabling. In some versions, the inverter end of the cable assembly has the sheathing of laminate removed for efficiency of cable assembly.

Abstract: A PV module alignment or attachment system and method that contains a root cable that interacts with the modules along rows or columns of an array of the modules. In some versions, the cable passes through frames of the modules in a row or column and maintains the module-to-module height between modules. The cable need not be metallic. In some versions, the cable passes through clips attached to the module substrate directly or to module frame members.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the grounds to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

Abstract: Leading-edge units for a PV array comprising fastener or component holes for anchoring the array bonding the array and protecting array cabling. The leading-edge units provide a favorable aerodynamic shape to help deflect incoming wind, the channel rainwater and to protect the edge of the array. Methods having steps of placing modules contacting native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground in an array and holding the array together and down are also disclosed.

Abstract: An earth mount enabled utility scale solar photovoltaic array having a plurality of solar panels is supported on the ground at edge portions of the solar panels. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string, in which said at least one series-connected string extends along adjacent or closely adjacent solar panels along at least two rows so that the string has a distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string.

Abstract: An earth mount enabled utility scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground so as to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.