Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) assembly is adapted for installation between laterally adjoining or adjacent greenhouses that comprise respective longitudinally aligned pluralities of transverse structural ribs. The PV assembly comprises (i) a frame subassembly and an array of PV panels joined thereto and pivotable therewith about a longitudinal axis of the PV assembly, and (ii) a longitudinally aligned plurality of load-bearing support subassemblies, each configured for attachment to a respective pair of opposing structural ribs of the adjoining or adjacent greenhouses.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprises an inverter, an array of PV assemblies, and a set of current-probe assemblies installed in PV assemblies. Each PV assembly comprises a pivotable group of PV panels, a drive system comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and electronic circuitry comprising a communications arrangement and operative to regulate operation of the electric motor. The PV panels are connected electrically to form a plurality of strings in at least indirect electrical communication with the inverter. At least one string comprises PV panels of different PV assemblies. At least one current-probe assembly is placed in each of the plurality of strings, and each current-probe assembly is operative to measure a direct current value in a respective string.

Abstract: In a solar energy system, a photovoltaic (PV) assembly includes an array of PV panels joined to and pivotable together with a frame subassembly. A drive system includes a motor assembly including an electric motor and a drive-system controller, and a pivot-wheel assembly for transferring torque from the electric motor to the frame subassembly. The pivot-wheel assembly includes a drive chain joined to a hoop portion at two opposing coupling points defining limits of the mechanical pivot range of the PV assembly. A drive-system protection arrangement includes a pair of spaced-apart tab portions comprising respective sensor targets, joined to the hoop portion and circumferentially displaced from the two opposing coupling points, and a sensor in electronic communication with the drive-system controller and operative to send a signal thereto indicating detection of a proximate presence of one of the sensor targets.

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: 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: Various implementations described herein are directed to an apparatus including an assembly for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic panels above a ground. The assembly may be supported by one or more poles. Each of the plurality of poles may include a fixed portion configured to be fixed on the ground and a moveable portion configured to be moveably coupled to at least one of the fixed portion or the assembly. The moveable portion may have a closed configuration. At the closed configuration, the moveable portion may support the assembly by being coupled to the fixed portion, and an open configuration. At the open configuration, the moveable portion may be detached from at least one of the fixed portion and the assembly.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an angular position of a PV module in a solar energy system includes calculating a set of respective minimum-irradiance angles for a plurality of times during a travel period, pivoting the PV module through an actual travel path having an angular offset from a target travel path that is selected to intercept, at least once, a range of angles within a selected angular error away from a respective minimum-irradiance angle, and determining the angular offset, based on respective irradiance-value measurements obtained at a plurality of pivot angles along the actual travel path, where each respective irradiance-value measurement can include irradiance and/or a parameter characterizing electricity produced from the irradiance.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial system (UAS) is provided for use in regulating operation of a solar energy system. The solar energy system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules and one or more drive systems configured to pivot the plurality of PV modules through respective ranges of orientations. The UAS comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programmable to fly in proximity to one or more PV modules, the proximity being in accordance with at least one of an imaging range and a communications range. The UAS also comprises an imaging device borne by the UAV and configured to capture one or more images of PV modules, and a communications device borne by the UAV and configured to transmit a command to a controller of the solar energy system to change an operating parameter of the PV modules.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy system comprises: periodically reorienting the plurality of PV modules to maximize an instantaneous electrical output from during a first period of time characterized by a predominance of a direct solar component, and reorienting the plurality of PV modules to a plurality of orientations so as to maximize cumulative electrical output over the duration of a second period of time characterized at least at a beginning thereof by a predominance of a diffuse solar component and further characterized at least at an end thereof by a predominance of the direct solar component. At least a first reorienting during the second period of time is effective to pivot the plurality of PV modules away from an on-sun orientation.

Abstract: A solar energy collection system comprises an array of photovoltaic (PV) modules arranged to be pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the array by a drive system comprising an electric motor and a gearing arrangement, and a group of plants arranged to produce a crop. An irrigation system is configured to supply water to the group of plants in accordance with an irrigation program, and comprises a fluid conveyance that delivers at least some of the water to surfaces of the PV modules, which are disposed so that most of the delivered water entrains dirt on the surfaces of the PV modules and drips down to reach the plants. A controller configured to control the array of PV modules, wherein the controller is configured to orient the PV modules to a cleaning orientation prior or during delivery of the water.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy system in the vicinity of one or more fixed structures comprises: periodically reorienting the plurality of PV modules to minimize an angular-dependent loss in power output for each respective successive sun angle during an unshaded period characterized by an absence of fixed-structure shading impinging on the respective pivot volumes, and orienting the plurality of PV modules to reduce a loss in power output due to shading by the one or more fixed structures during a shade period characterized by non-zero partial shading by the one or more fixed structures impinging on one or more of the respective pivot volumes.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to an apparatus including an assembly for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic panels above a ground. The assembly may be supported by one or more poles. Each of the plurality of poles may include a fixed portion configured to be fixed on the ground and a moveable portion configured to be moveably coupled to at least one of the fixed portion or the assembly. The moveable portion may have a closed configuration. At the closed configuration, the moveable portion may support the assembly by being coupled to the fixed portion, and an open configuration. At the open configuration, the moveable portion may be detached from at least one of the fixed portion and the assembly.

Abstract: A solar energy system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels for production of electricity, electrically coupled to a recipient system. Each of the PV panels includes a negative terminal and a positive terminal. An electronic element, including at least one component requiring power for operation or charging thereof, is electrically connected to the negative terminal and to the positive terminal of one of the plurality of PV panels. Electricity for powering the electronic element is tapped from electricity produced by the one of the plurality of PV panels, such that the quantity of produced electricity delivered to the recipient system is reduced.

Abstract: A method of operating a solar energy collection system comprising an array of pivotable PV modules and a group of plants arranged to produce a crop, includes performing a optimization of a value function based on a current state, responsively to predicted insolation, by dynamically determining one or more orientations for the array of PV modules, and controlling, based on the optimization of the value function, at least one of the PV modules to switch orientation to increase or decrease instantaneous photovoltaic conversion of incident solar radiation by the array of PV modules and/or increase or decrease instantaneous photosynthetic conversion of the incident solar radiation by the group of plants.

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.

Abstract: A control system for a solar energy system causes motor assemblies to pivot the photovoltaic (PV) arrays of the solar energy system about respective longitudinal axes, e.g., to track the sun across the sky. The solar energy system also has an inverter with a known inverter rating, e.g., for a given output level and ambient temperature. The control system is programmed, inter alia, to determine when a calculated electrical output of the PV arrays, e.g., a future electrical output during an imminent future time period, exceeds the inverter rating. The control system then causes some or all of the PV arrays to pivot out of regular solar tracking mode into a position that introduces higher cosine losses, so as to reduce real-time electrical output from at least the direct normal component of real-time solar irradiance incident on the PV arrays involved in order not to exceed the inverter rating, or to exceed it less.

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.

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.