Abstract: A system for collecting precipitation falling on a solar canopy structure. The solar panels arranged in rows. Each row is tilted increasing sun exposure for solar energy collection. The rows are arranged such that two rows face each other forming a V-shape. Pairs of rows tilted towards each other are arranged together. A gutter is installed at the bottom of each “V” formed by two rows. The gutters collect precipitation, such as rain, snow, and ice that runs off of the solar panels. The gutter system collects the precipitation from each gutter and delivers the precipitation to the ground system. Various means are used for preventing precipitation from falling between the upper meeting point of two rows that meet on the higher side, including gaskets and additional gutters.

Abstract: A solar tracker includes a rotatable portion including a plurality of solar modules, at least a portion of each of the modules being arranged in a row and electrically coupled to each other in series to define at least one string. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotatable portion and configured to supply torque to the rotatable portion for rotating the rotatable portion about an axis. At least one electrical characteristic sensor and at least one controller are in operative communication with the motor and with the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. The at least one controller is configured to instruct the motor to supply torque to the rotatable portion in response to one or more signals received by the at least one controller from the at least one electrical characteristic sensor. A method of operating a solar tracking system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar canopy has a solar panel assembly including a first solar panel coupled to a second solar panel and oriented non-parallel with respect to the second solar panel. A solar panel assembly support structure is coupled to the solar panel assembly. One or more components of the support structure are manufactured by cold rolling. The solar panel assembly has an effective solar-panel-assembly wind loading less than a sum of a first-solar-panel effective wind loading and a second-solar-panel effective wind loading determined individually. An actual load applied by the solar panel assembly to a solar-panel-assembly support structure coupled thereto when the solar panel assembly is subject to a wind loading is less than a design load for the solar panel assembly subject to the wind loading based on a sum of a first-solar-panel net pressure and a second-solar-panel net pressure determined independently.

Abstract: A solar canopy has a solar panel assembly including a first solar panel coupled to a second solar panel and oriented non-parallel with respect to the second solar panel. The solar panel assembly has an effective solar-panel-assembly wind loading less than a sum of a first-solar-panel effective wind loading and a second-solar-panel effective wind loading determined individually. An actual load applied by the solar panel assembly to a solar-panel-assembly support structure coupled thereto when the solar panel assembly is subject to a wind loading is less than a design load for the solar panel assembly subject to the wind loading based on a sum of a first-solar-panel net pressure and a second-solar-panel net pressure determined independently.

Abstract: Modular tracker systems that include at least first and second tables or are continuous without the use of tables, a single motor driving the first and second tables, first and second intra-table drive shafts and an inter-table drive shaft. Each table includes a support structure including first and second mounting posts, a frame supported by the support structure, at least one solar panel supported by the frame, and first and second gearboxes being concentrically aligned for each table. The first and second gearboxes are each configured to produce first and second outputs. The first output has a first rotational speed, and the second output has a second rotational speed less than the first rotational speed, and is operatively coupled to the frame. The inter-table drive shaft couples the second gearbox of the first table with the first gearbox of the second table, whereby the first and second tables are rotated synchronously.

Abstract: A solar mounting system includes at least one solar panel with a panel frame and a support structure including at least one elongated support rail configured to support the panel frame of the at least one solar panel. The elongated support rail includes a grounding structure with a raised edge formed from material of the at least one elongated support rail. The raised edge is configured to cut through a protective coating surrounding a conductive material forming the panel frame, thereby grounding the solar panel by providing direct electrical contact between the panel frame and the at least one elongated support rail. This automatic grounding does not require additional grounding equipment or elements to be added to the solar mounting system.

Abstract: A support device for supporting a solar panel above a base surface includes a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast. The upper mounting surface is sloped relative to the lower base surface. The support device further includes at least one mounting element projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support a solar panel. A solar panel support system includes first and second support devices spaced apart from one another, each including a body having an upper mounting surface, a lower base surface, and integral ballast, the upper mounting surface being sloped relative to the lower base surface. Each support device further includes first and second mounting elements projecting upwardly from the upper mounting surface and configured to support solar panels. First and second purlins are supported by and extend between the first and second support devices, and are configured to support the solar panels.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a holding device (10) to fasten, especially to clamp, a surface module (20), especially a framed solar panel, on at least one support (30), especially a profile rail, with a head section (12; 112) that is suitable to interact with the surface module (20), a foot section (16; 116) that is suitable for interacting with the support (30) and a connecting element (19) that is suitable for linking the head section (12; 112) with the foot section (16; 116), with the head section (12; 112) being shiftable relative to the foot section (16; 116) along a vertical axis (H) of the holding device (10) by means of the connecting element (19), with the head section (12; 112) being positionable relative to the foot section (16; 116) in at least two angle positions that are twisted towards each other around the vertical axis (H) in such a way with a pre-determined twisting angle that the head section may be positioned at least in two of the angle positions each on at least one or at least two sur

Abstract: A solar mounting system includes at least one solar panel with a panel frame and a support structure including at least one elongated support rail configured to support the panel frame of the at least one solar panel. The elongated support rail includes a grounding structure with a raised edge formed from material of the at least one elongated support rail. The raised edge is configured to cut through a protective coating surrounding a conductive material forming the panel frame, thereby grounding the solar panel by providing direct electrical contact between the panel frame and the at least one elongated support rail. This automatic grounding does not require additional grounding equipment or elements to be added to the solar mounting system.