Abstract: A mounting rail may be configured to couple to a first photovoltaic (PV) module and a second PV module. The mounting rail may include a hooked mechanism and an attachment feature. The hooked mechanism may at least partially define an aperture configured to receive a portion of a first module frame associated with the first PV module. The hooked mechanism may also physically engage with a surface of the first module frame to couple the first module frame to the mounting rail and to prevent the first module frame from unintentionally uncoupling from the mounting rail. The attachment feature may interface with a second module frame associated with the second PV module to couple the second module frame to the mounting rail.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module mount having an integrated cable management feature, a system incorporating a PV module mount, and a method for making a PV module mount are disclosed. In one embodiment, a PV module mount may include a mounting rail configured to be secured to a PV module. The mounting rail may include a first side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a second side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a connecting structure connecting the first side wall to the second side wall, and a cable management feature configured to retain one or more electrical cables. The cable management feature may be integrally formed with at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the connecting structure.

Abstract: An instrument for ensuring proper pile installation in photovoltaic systems (PV) may include a laser assembly configured to output a first beam in a first direction and a second beam in a second direction. The second beam may indicate the angular tolerance of a torque tube. The instrument may further include a mounting interface configured to position the laser assembly on a mounting pile.

Abstract: A mounting rail configured to connect to a photovoltaic (PV) module may include an upper portion, a first alignment member, and a second alignment member. The upper portion may include a surface configured to physically engage with a bottom surface of a module rail associated with the PV module. The first alignment member may extend from the surface of the upper portion at a first location. The first alignment member may also be configured to physically engage with a side surface of the module rail. The second alignment member may extend from the surface of the upper portion at a second location. The second alignment member may also be configured to physically engage with the side surface of the module rail.

Abstract: An on-site photovoltaic (PV) module assembly system and process may involve customizing assembly of a row of PV modules at the location of a particular solar site. Mounting rails or other mounting structures configured to interface a PV module with a torque tube may be positioned along the torque tube on site to account for physical characteristics and properties of the particular solar site. PV modules may be attached to one or more of the mounting rails by an adhesive. Using the adhesive to attach the PV modules to the mounting rails may increase the flexibility of PV module installation along the torque tube. Use of the adhesive may also decrease the number of fastening components included with the mounting rail and the PV module, such as a structural rail or module rails.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining information from a weather forecasting service that relates to indicators of an incoming hail event. The method may include determining a stowing score that quantifies whether the hail event is likely to occur within a period of time based on the information from the weather forecasting service. Responsive to the stowing score exceeding a threshold value, a time at which the incoming hail event is likely to occur may be predicted based on the weather forecasting service information. The threshold value may indicate a threshold likelihood of the hail event occurring or a threshold period of time before occurrence. The method may include determining a wind direction at the predicted time at which the hail event is likely to occur and stowing photovoltaic modules based on the wind direction.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining information from a weather forecasting service that relates to indicators of an incoming hail event. The method may include determining a stowing score that quantifies whether the hail event is likely to occur within a period of time based on the information from the weather forecasting service. Responsive to the stowing score exceeding a threshold value, a time at which the incoming hail event is likely to occur may be predicted based on the weather forecasting service information. The threshold value may indicate a threshold likelihood of the hail event occurring or a threshold period of time before occurrence. The method may include determining a wind direction at the predicted time at which the hail event is likely to occur and stowing photovoltaic modules based on the wind direction.

Abstract: A mounting rail for securing photovoltaic (PV) modules to an underlying support structure, such as a torque tube. The mounting rail may include a body and a bracket that is attached to the body and configured to be secured around at least a portion of the support structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) module clamp may be configured to interface with a torque tube and a PV module rail fixedly coupled to a PV module. The PV module clamp may include a seating portion made of two or more lateral walls and a base surface. A clamp body of the PV module clamp may be coupled to the seating portion. The clamp body may include a shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the torque tube. The PV module clamp may include a fastening feature for interlocking the PV module clamp with the PV module rail responsive to the PV module rail being seated in the seating portion of the PV module clamp.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module mounting system may include a module clamp that includes a central section that includes two first walls connected at the top of each first wall by a first connecting surface. The central section may have a first cross-sectional height corresponding to a height of each of the first walls and a first width corresponding to a distance between the two first walls. The module clamp may have ends that include two second walls connected at the top of each second wall by a second connecting surface in which each of the ends has a second cross-sectional height that is shorter than the first cross-sectional height and a second width that is wider than the first width. The central section may be connected to each of the ends such that the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface are bridged and form a bowtie shape.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining a normal set point of a solar panel and a wind velocity measurement corresponding to wind that affects the solar panel. The method may include determining an allowable range of tilt angles according to a first lookup table that describes a relationship between the wind velocity measurement and the allowable range of tilt angles. The method may include identifying whether the normal set point of the solar panel is outside of the allowable range of tilt angles, and responsive to identifying that the normal set point of the solar panel is outside of the allowable range of tilt angles, determining a temporary stow set point. The method may include rotating the solar panel to the temporary stow set point.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure address problems experienced in conventional solar panel tracking systems, including problems associated with wear and damage that can be caused at load bearing interfaces between a bearing and a bearing housing. Embodiments disclosed herein address this issue by positioning a wear guard at the interface between the bearing and the bearing housing. The wear guard may include a smooth controlled surface that minimizes damage between the bearing and the bearing housing.

Abstract: A torque tube coupler may include an outer body that includes a first abutting surface and a second abutting surface adjacent to the first abutting surface. Set screws may be inserted into one or more channels of the first abutting surface. Tightening the set screws may force the abutting surfaces away from each other and the outer body to press against an inner surface of a torque tube. Another embodiment of the torque tube coupler may include a central ring sized based on a size of a torque tube. The torque tube coupler may also include a set of fingers that extend away from a first side of the central ring and are shaped to flex radially outward. The torque tube coupler may include a core disposed within the set of fingers that, when drawn towards the central ring, causes the fingers to flex radially outwards.

Abstract: An alignment bracket suitable for facilitating the connection of solar components in a PV system may include a first surface, a second surface, and an attachment member. The first surface may be configured to physically interface with a corresponding surface of a solar component of the PV system. The second surface may be configured to physically interface with a corresponding surface of a support column. The attachment member may include an engagement surface configured to engage with a part of the support column to facilitate a position of the second surface relative to the corresponding surface of the support column.

Abstract: A method of forming a module clamp of a photovoltaic module support structure may include cutting a folding pattern into a sheet of metal. The folding pattern may include one or more width-wise slits relative to the sheet of metal, one or more length-wise slits relative to the sheet of metal, and a hole. The method may include stamping one or more first features onto the sheet of metal to form a stamped sheet and folding the stamped sheet along the one or more width-wise slits and the one or more length-wise slits to form a preliminary module clamp. The method may include stamping one or more second features onto the preliminary module clamp to form the module clamp.

Abstract: A method may include positioning one or more PV module mounting devices along a length of a structural component. The method may include specifying one or more parameters related to fastening the PV module mounting devices to the structural component, the one or more parameters indicating a spacing between the PV module mounting devices. The method may include fastening, by an automated attachment equipment, the PV module mounting devices to the structural component based on the specified parameters and moving the PV module mounting devices fastened to the structural component to an assembly platform.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure address problems experienced in conventional tracking systems, including problems associated with inefficiencies created during diffuse light conditions. Embodiments disclosed herein address this problem by altering an angular orientation of PV modules during diffuse light conditions to ensure that the PV modules are in a position that more efficiently generates energy from diffuse irradiance.

Abstract: 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.