Abstract: A saddle bracket assembly comprises a saddle bracket fastened to a saddle bracket support with a plurality of rivets. The saddle bracket web rests on a bracket support web with saddle bracket rivet holes coaxially aligned with an associated one of respective bracket support rivet holes and the coaxially aligned holes include one of a plurality of rivets to provide rivet joints that fasten the bracket support to the saddle bracket.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a photovoltaic panel includes a support that includes first and second parallel flange surfaces and mounting clamp bases each fastened to an associated one of the parallel flange surfaces. Each of the mounting clamp bases includes a clamp base web including through holes longitudinally aligned along the web; domed uptakes radially extending from the clamp base web, where the domed uptakes separate the clamp base web from opposing longitudinally extending channels each formed from an associated channel base surface, an associated channel sidewall and channel top surface; opposing upright fingers extend from the channel top surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the clamp base web surface, where each of the upright fingers includes one or more serrated edges on each of its longitudinal sidewalls; and chamfered mounting clamp base protuberances that extend from the clamp base web.

Abstract: A method of installing stationary structural members of a solar panel racking structure comprises positioning a jig on a surface relative to a datum on the surface, using the jig as a guide and driving a first plurality of stationary structural members into the ground at fixed positions relative to one another, removing the jig from the first plurality of stationary structural members, repositioning the jig to a desired position; and repeating the steps of using the jig as a guide, driving a second plurality of stationary members into the ground and removing the jig.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a fastener that includes a bolt and a nut. The bolt includes a threaded distal end and a polygonal headed proximate end that extends along a fastener axis. The assembly also includes a mounting base, and a first reinforcement channel nested around a first base of a hat-shaped channel. The hat-shaped channel is nested around a second base of a second reinforcement channel that nests around a load distributing channel. The mounting base, the first and second reinforcement channels, the hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel are removable with respect to the fastener along the fastener axis. The bolt is received through coaxial apertures located within the mounting base, the first and second reinforcement channels, the hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel, such that the polygonal headed proximate end rests within a channel of the load distributing channel.

Abstract: A cable hanger assembly comprises a unitary skeletal frame comprising (i) a base that comprises a first base surface and a second base surface that are separated by a channel that is open at a proximate channel end and closed at a distal channel end, (ii) a first sidewall extending from a distal end of the first base surface to the distal channel end, (iii) a second sidewall extending from a distal end of the second base surface to the distal channel end, and (iv) where at least one of the first and second base surfaces includes a slot open on its respective proximate slot end. A removable and replaceable strap or supplemental hanger assembly may be engaged with the slot and hangs from the slot.

Abstract: A method of determining post elevations in a single axis solar tracker that includes a tracker row with a plurality of posts, comprises providing location data (X, Y) in a plane for each of the plurality of posts in the row, and for each of the plurality of posts in the tracker row providing elevation data (Z) indicative of post elevation with respect to the plane. The method automatically generates nonlinear curve fit data that assigns initial post elevation values for each of the plurality of posts in the tracker row. For each of the plurality of post locations in the tracker row, the method automatically compares the initial post elevation values against a numerical constraint, and assigns a new initial post elevation value if the numerical constraint is violated. This method reduces the quantity of grading or extra support lengths needed to accommodate undulation of the terrain. The method may also use an iterative approach without using a curve fit.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a first base of a first hat-shaped channel wherein the first hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a second base of a second hat-shaped channel and the second hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a load distributing channel. The mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel are configured to be removable with respect to a fastener along the fastener axis. The fastener is received through coaxial apertures located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel. The channels are of a certain length that is sufficient to add stiffness to an object being supported by the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A calibration process of a solar panel installation measures current from a plurality of tracker tables, and based upon the time of day of the detected shade transitions, day of the year and the location of the solar panel installation, the time difference of the detected shade transition for each tracker panel can be used to determine the relative elevation of adjacent tracker tables. The calculation is performed using the known angle of the tracker and the elevation of the sun when the transition occurred to calculate the height offset of the tables. This transition of charging current marks the point where shading ended and the sun elevation is used to calculate the height offset of adjacent tables. This calculation uses the known angle of the tracker and the elevation of the sun when shading ended to calculate the height offset of the tables.

Abstract: A solar panel installation includes a plurality of bifacial solar panels and a plurality of reflective panels separated from and opposing a back side of the bifacial panels to reflect sunlight onto the back side of the panels. Each of the reflective panels may include a plurality of projections to improve the reflectivity onto the back side of the bifacial solar panels.

Abstract: A hanger device comprises a plurality of cable supports, each comprising a parallel sidewall and a lateral shape retention sidewall where the parallel sidewalls and the lateral shape retention sidewall are separated by a wire engagement surface for holding one or more of the plurality of cables, where each of the lateral shape retention sidewalls includes a hook that comprises first and second hook sidewalls and a radiused surface that separates the first and second hook sidewalls, where each of the hooks opens in an exterior opposing direction; and a hanger surface that separates the parallel sidewalls, where the hanger device is hung on the hanger carrier by placing the hanger surface on the hanger carrier and the lateral shape retention sidewalls are pressed inwardly towards the parallel sidewalls and about the engagement surfaces so both hooks opposingly engage the cable.

Abstract: A fixed tilt solar panel racking assembly includes gimbled mounting plate mounted atop a stationary structural member that provides a plurality of degrees of freedom during mounting plate installation. In addition, the mounting plate is configured to transfer horizontal load from one solar panel to an adjacent solar panel supported on the same plate, such that the array of panels and plates acts as a horizontal diaphragm. Horizontal load may be transferred from one side of the solar array to another where a stiffer stationary support may be located.

Abstract: A bolt comprises a first shank segment axially comprising an externally threaded segment at a proximate axial end of the bolt. The bolt also includes a second shank segment, a flange extending perpendicularly a first distance from the first shank segment and axially located between a distal axial end of the first shank segment and a proximate axial end of the second shank segment, and a head axially adjacent to a distal axial end of the second shank segment, where the head is longer than the flange in a first direction perpendicular to the first shank segment but shorter than the flange in a second direction perpendicular to the first shank segment.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a photovoltaic panel comprises a support that includes first and second parallel flange surfaces and mounting clamp bases each fastened to an associated one of the parallel flange surfaces. Each of the mounting clamp bases comprises a clamp base web including through holes longitudinally aligned along the web; domed uptakes radially extending from the clamp base web, where the domed uptakes separate the clamp base web from opposing longitudinally extending channels each formed from an associated channel base surface, an associated channel sidewall and channel top surface; opposing upright fingers extend from the channel top surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the clamp base web surface, where each of the upright fingers includes one or more serrated edges on each of its longitudinal sidewalls; and chamfered mounting clamp base protuberances that extend from the clamp base web.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a first base of a first hat-shaped channel wherein the first hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a second base of a second hat-shaped channel and the second hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a load distributing channel. The mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel are configured to be removable with respect to a fastener along the fastener axis. The fastener is received through coaxial apertures located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel. The channels are of a certain length that is sufficient to add stiffness to an object being supported by the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A cable hanger assembly comprises a unitary skeletal frame comprising (i) a base that comprises a first base surface and a second base surface that are separated by a channel that is open at a proximate channel end and closed at a distal channel end, (ii) a first sidewall extending from a distal end of the first base surface to the distal channel end, (iii) a second sidewall extending from a distal end of the second base surface to the distal channel end, and (iv) where at least one of the first and second base surfaces includes a slot open on its respective proximate slot end. A removable and replaceable strap or supplemental hanger assembly may be engaged with the slot and hangs from the slot.

Abstract: A single axis solar tracker includes two drive systems (motors) that both rotate a rotating shaft. The drive systems may be located about 16-25% from either longitudinal end of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a solar tracking system. The actuator assembly includes a gearbox housing and a gearbox cover, a motor, and a lead screw. The gearbox housing and gearbox cover cooperate to define an internal chamber for receiving a gear assembly. The motor is mounted to the gearbox housing and is operatively connected to the gear assembly. The lead screw is operatively attached to the gear assembly and mounted inside an inner tube. A thrust bearing assembly is disposed between the gear assembly and the lead screw, with a portion of a thrust bearing nut being positioned within the thrust bearing assembly. A castle nut engages the thrust bearing nut, with the locking washer being frictionally engaged with the castle nut in an interlocking manner. An inner tube is mounted with in an outer tube for linear movement with respect to the outer tube.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a solar tracking system is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a gearbox housing and a gearbox cover, a motor, and a lead screw. The gearbox housing and gearbox cover cooperate to define an internal chamber for receiving a gear assembly. The motor is mounted to the gearbox housing and is operatively connected to the gear assembly. The lead screw is operatively attached to the gear assembly and mounted inside an inner tube. A thrust bearing assembly is disposed between the gear assembly and the lead screw, with a portion of a thrust bearing nut being positioned within the thrust bearing assembly. A castle nut engages the thrust bearing nut, with the locking washer being frictionally engaged with the castle nut in an interlocking manner. An inner tube is mounted with in an outer tube for linear movement with respect to the outer tube.

Abstract: A hanger device comprises a plurality of cable supports, each comprising a parallel sidewall and a lateral shape retention sidewall where the parallel sidewalls and the lateral shape retention sidewall are separated by a wire engagement surface for holding one or more of the plurality of cables, where each of the lateral shape retention sidewalls includes a hook that comprises first and second hook sidewalls and a radiused surface that separates the first and second hook sidewalls, where each of the hooks opens in an exterior opposing direction; and a hanger surface that separates the parallel sidewalls, where the hanger device is hung on the hanger carrier by placing the hanger surface on the hanger carrier and the lateral shape retention sidewalls are pressed inwardly towards the parallel sidewalls and about the engagement surfaces so both hooks opposingly engage the cable.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a first base of a first hat-shaped channel wherein the first hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a second base of a second hat-shaped channel and the second hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a load distributing channel. The mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel are configured to be removable with respect to a fastener along the fastener axis. The fastener is received through coaxial apertures located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel. The channels are of a certain length that is sufficient to add stiffness to an object being supported by the mounting assembly.