Abstract: In a solar energy system, a photovoltaic (PV) assembly includes a frame subassembly and an array of PV panels joined to and pivotable with the frame assembly. A support pylon comprises a hollow member open on a first side. A drive system includes an electric motor and a pivot-wheel assembly comprising a drive chain joined to a hoop portion. The pivot-wheel assembly is arranged to transfer a torque from the electric motor to the frame subassembly. The electric motor is at least partly disposed within the hollow member and is mounted to a wall of the hollow member. A gearing arrangement includes a drive shaft passing through an aperture in the wall so as to place the motor in geared communication with the drive chain via a sprocketed drive wheel.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprising a photovoltaic array, an inverter, and an energy storage device is operated according to the following steps: (a) accessing irradiance data for a past time period; (b) acquiring an irradiance forecast for a future time period having a length of not more than 15 minutes and having a cumulative irradiance forecast of between 20% and 80% of clear-sky irradiance; (c) calculating a smoothed energy target-value for an imminent time step within the future time period, using the irradiance data for the past time period and the forecasted irradiance for the future time period; and (d) during the time step, delivering a quantity of energy to the inverter based on the calculated smoothed energy target-value. The energy storage device stores energy when more is produced than delivered, and discharges energy when more is delivered than is produced.

Abstract: A solar energy system includes a photovoltaic (PV) assembly and a drive system. The PV assembly comprises a support subassembly and an array of PV panels pivotable therewith about a longitudinal axis of the PV assembly. The drive system comprises a motor assembly comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and a pivot wheel comprising a hoop-portion and joined to the PV assembly. The hoop portion includes an outer circumferential channel, and two opposing catches defining a maximum pivot range. A chain resides partly within the circumferential channel, is engaged with the two opposing catches, and is also in geared communication with the motor assembly such that the motor is operable to rotate the pivot wheel. In some embodiments, the opposing catches define a maximum pivot range through an arc of more than ? radians and less than 2? radians.