Abstract: A damper assembly for single-axis tracker supported by truss foundations. Truss leg damper brackets are attached to each truss leg and provide a fixed mounting point for the lower end of a damper spring. Different techniques may be used to effect mechanical engagement between the leg bracket and truss leg to prevent movement under load. Aligning each damper spring with a truss leg may eliminate moments that must ordinarily be resisted when damper springs are attached to a monopile foundation.

Abstract: Watertight fastening devices and systems and methods for the employment thereof are disclosed. The disclosed watertight fastening device includes a head, a shank extending away from the head toward a distal end, and a cover extending outwardly and away from the head in the direction of the shank and defining a hollow region between the shank and an inner surface of the cover. The watertight fastening device may be used in conjunction with a solar power installation system that includes a base plate configured to be positioned against an installation surface. The base plate includes an aperture for receiving the shank of the fastener and protrusion surrounding the aperture configured to be received in the hollow region of the fastener, thereby providing an enhanced barrier against moisture reaching the installation surface.

Abstract: Bearing adapters for use with truss foundations supporting mechanically balanced single-axis trackers. The bearing adapter joins the free ends of a pair of adjacent truss legs to form a rigid A-frame shaped foundation structure. A bearing is formed in an upper portion of the bearing adapter to allow a torque tube to be suspended from a pin in the bearing and to swing through an arc bounded by the bearing adapter. The bearing may have a catenoid shape to compensate for misalignment in multiple directions.

Abstract: Snap-in mounting systems for laminate solar panels are provided. The laminate solar panels can include laminate strips that can be snapped into mounting rails. The mounting rails may be coupled to racking rails for structural support and may include locking mechanisms for additional support and theft deterrence. An entire system may include a number of racking rails, mounting rails, and solar panels.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of mounting a solar panel module skirt to a solar panel module frame are disclosed. The system could include a number of solar panel modules, a number of skirt mount assemblies, and a solar panel module skirt. The apparatus could include a first structure, a second structure, and a fastener. The method could include receiving the apparatus, placing the apparatus into a tightening position, and tightening the fastener to mount the apparatus to the frame.

Abstract: Snap-in mounting systems for laminate solar panels are provided. The laminate solar panels can include laminate strips that can be snapped into mounting rails. The mounting rails may be coupled to racking rails for structural support and may include locking mechanisms for additional support and theft deterrence. An entire system may include a number of racking rails, mounting rails, and solar panels.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of mounting a solar panel module skirt to a solar panel module frame are disclosed. The system could include a number of solar panel modules, a number of skirt mount assemblies, and a solar panel module skirt. The apparatus could include a first structure, a second structure, and a fastener. The method could include receiving the apparatus, placing the apparatus into a tightening position, and tightening the fastener to mount the apparatus to the frame.

Abstract: The invention is a new stabilized racking system for solar cell panels on a surface through a novel use of ballast weights and a wind optimized design. The system is further optimized to fit a range of sizes and thicknesses of modules through a combination of self adjusting end clamps, adjustable tilt legs, and unique wind screen design. The system can include an array of individual solar panel systems that are reinforced in both lateral directions to reduce the amount of ballast weight required.

Abstract: The invention is a new stabilized racking system for solar cell panels on a surface through a novel use of ballast weights and a wind optimized design. The system is further optimized to fit a range of sizes and thicknesses of modules through a combination of self adjusting end clamps, adjustable tilt legs, and unique wind screen design. The system can include an array of individual solar panel systems that are reinforced in both lateral directions to reduce the amount of ballast weight required.

Abstract: Solar panel installation systems are disclosed that reduce or eliminate the need for large, costly rails for mounting solar panels on an installation surface. The systems may include an array of framed solar modules supported above an installation surface using a number of height-adjustable base members. Adjacent solar modules in the array may be coupled to one another at or near their corners using module links that can structurally couple the frames of the adjacent solar modules together.

Abstract: Wire or cable holder assemblies employed in a solar power system are disclosed. In some embodiments, an assembly could include a cap and a base configured with channels. When the cap and the base are clamped to an object (e.g., a solar module frame), enclosures defined by the channels and a surface of the solar frame module are formed to hold cables. In some embodiments, an assembly could include a plunger with at least one leg and a base that includes a receptacle for receiving the plunger and a hook for holding electrical cables. A leg include a rack having teeth adapted to fall into notches or spaces formed by complementary teeth of a pawl found in the receptacle that forms a ratchet which permits insertion of the plunger into the receptacle but not an extraction. If extraction is desired, an external force may be applied to release the pawl.

Abstract: Watertight fastening devices and systems and methods for the employment thereof are disclosed. The disclosed watertight fastening device includes a head, a shank extending away from the head toward a distal end, and a cover extending outwardly and away from the head in the direction of the shank and defining a hollow region between the shank and an inner surface of the cover. The watertight fastening device may be used in conjunction with a solar power installation system that includes a base plate configured to be positioned against an installation surface. The base plate includes an aperture for receiving the shank of the fastener and protrusion surrounding the aperture configured to be received in the hollow region of the fastener, thereby providing an enhanced barrier against moisture reaching the installation surface.

Abstract: Surface mount assemblies for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a height-adjustable rail mount to slidably couple a track with a fastener assembly that includes of a fastener, spacer, and nut. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount and positioned on a base plate to slidably couple to a surface track with a fastener assembly that includes a first fastener slidably coupled to a groove formed by the track, spacer, and second fastener. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount for slidably coupling the rail to a height-adjustable base with a fastener. In some embodiments, a two-configuration, track-mounted, rectangular base is designed with a rectangular base having a pair of short-sided legs, a pair of long-sided legs, and a fastener for engaging outer surfaces of a track.

Abstract: Devices and system for installing solar modules for the generation of solar power are disclosed. One device could be a mid-mount assembly having a module sleeve coupled to a module sleeve adapter for engaging boundary surfaces of one solar module. A second device could be an end-mount assembly having a top structure engaged with a bottom structure to form two sides, one side for engaging boundary surfaces of one solar module and the other for engaging a module sleeve on a second side. The solar modules installation system could include a plurality of the solar panels, a plurality of end-mount assemblies and mid-mount assemblies, and a plurality of base assemblies coupled to the plurality of end-mount assemblies and mid-mount assemblies.

Abstract: Racking assemblies for solar panel installations are provided. The racking assemblies may include a series of posts arranged in two parallel rows and anchored to the ground or other suitable surface. Purlins may be coupled to and may span the posts of each row. Specialized clamps may be used to attach the purlins to a series of mounting rails. The mounting rails, in turn, may support an array of solar modules.

Abstract: Devices and system for installing solar modules for the generation of solar power are disclosed. One device could be a mid-mount assembly having a module sleeve coupled to a module sleeve adapter for engaging boundary surfaces of one solar module. A second device could be an end-mount assembly having a top structure engaged with a bottom structure to form two sides, one side for engaging boundary surfaces of one solar module and the other for engaging a module sleeve on a second side. The solar modules installation system could include a plurality of the solar panels, a plurality of end-mount assemblies and mid-mount assemblies, and a plurality of base assemblies coupled to the plurality of end-mount assemblies and mid-mount assemblies.

Abstract: Solar panel installation systems are disclosed that reduce or eliminate the need for large, costly rails for mounting solar panels on an installation surface. The systems may include an array of framed solar modules supported above an installation surface using a number of height-adjustable base members. Adjacent solar modules in the array may be coupled to one another at or near their corners using module links that can structurally couple the frames of the adjacent solar modules together.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for securing a component to a surface are disclosed. The fastening device can include a base member having a threaded projection extending from a base plate. A base sealing gasket can be provided between the base plate and a surface on which the base plate is mounted to ensure a water-tight fit. A capping nut having a nut aperture can be threadably engaged to the treaded projection, and a structural fastener can be inserted through the nut aperture for securing a structural component of a building-mounted structure. A nut sealing gasket can be disposed between within the capping nut to ensure a water-tight fit between the capping nut and the base member.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of mounting a solar panel module skirt to a solar panel module frame are disclosed. The system could include a number of solar panel modules, a number of skirt mount assemblies, and a solar panel module skirt. The apparatus could include a first structure, a second structure, and a fastener. The method could include receiving the apparatus, placing the apparatus into a tightening position, and tightening the fastener to mount the apparatus to the frame.