Abstract: A solar tracker assembly including a drive mechanism including a rotating drive rotatable about a drive mechanism axis of rotation and a table pivoted by the rotating drive. The table includes first and second torque tube beam segments; first and second drive journals affixed to opposite sides of the rotating drive, longitudinal center lines of the drive journals coincident with the drive mechanism axis of rotation. The table further includes first and second bearings, an end of the first torque tube beam segment coupled to the first bearing to rotate about the first bearing axis of rotation and an end of the second torque tube beam segment coupled the second bearing to rotate about the second bearing axis of rotation. The first and second bearing axes of rotation are vertically offset from the longitudinal center lines of the first and second drive journals and the drive mechanism axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method of determining and responding to an overcast sky condition during daylight hours in a solar tracker installation utilizing a single, fixed-position irradiance sensor associated with a set of solar tracker assemblies of the solar tracker installation and, if a series of irradiance levels communicated by the irradiance sensor to an array controller of a solar tracker control system of the installation indicates that an overcast sky condition has been present for a predetermined overcast sky duration period, the array controller transmitting control signals to a set of solar tracker controllers associated with the set of solar tracker assemblies to deviate from a normal solar tracking mode to an overcast sky mode by pivoting respective tables of the associated set of solar tracker assemblies to one or more predetermined overcast sky condition angles of inclination, and a solar tracker control system for implementing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A method of backtracking for a solar tracker installation utilizing a backtracking algorithm to calculate angles of inclination values for the tables of each of the solar tracker assemblies in the solar tracker installation during a backtracking period including morning backtracking period and evening backtracking period periods wherein the calculated table angles of inclination values mitigate undesirable shading of photovoltaic modules of a solar tracker assembly by adjacent row solar tracker assemblies during morning and evening backtracking periods that would otherwise occur with a normal solar tracking mode. Ends of the torque tube beam of each solar tracker assembly are imaged to provide three dimensional coordinates associated with the torque tube beam ends.

Abstract: A method of determining and responding to an overcast sky condition during daylight hours in a solar tracker installation utilizing a single, fixed-position irradiance sensor associated with a set of solar tracker assemblies of the solar tracker installation and, if a series of irradiance levels communicated by the irradiance sensor to an array controller of a solar tracker control system of the installation indicates that an overcast sky condition has been present for a predetermined overcast sky duration period, the array controller transmitting control signals to a set of solar tracker controllers associated with the set of solar tracker assemblies to deviate from a normal solar tracking mode to an overcast sky mode by pivoting respective tables of the associated set of solar tracker assemblies to one or more predetermined overcast sky condition angles of inclination, and a solar tracker control system for implementing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A DC powered solar tracker controller for controlling an angle of inclination of a table of an associated solar tracker assembly. The controller includes controller electronics and a motor driver selectively energized to actuate the drive mechanism and thereby pivot the table of the associated solar tracker assembly. The controller further includes a rechargeable battery for powering controller electronics, the rechargeable battery charged by a controller power source, and a heating element controlled by controller electronics. The heating element is disposed in proximity to the outer surface of the rechargeable battery. The controller also includes a temperature sensor electrically coupled to the controller electronics, the temperature sensor disposed in proximity to the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method of backtracking for a solar tracker installation utilizing a backtracking algorithm to calculate angles of inclination values for the tables of each of the solar tracker assemblies in the solar tracker installation during a backtracking period including morning backtracking period and evening backtracking period periods wherein the calculated table angles of inclination values mitigate undesirable shading of photovoltaic modules of a solar tracker assembly by adjacent row solar tracker assemblies during morning and evening backtracking periods that would otherwise occur with a normal solar tracking mode. Ends of the torque tube beam of each solar tracker assembly are imaged to provide three dimensional coordinates associated with the torque tube beam ends.

Abstract: A control system for a solar tracker assembly installation including a plurality of solar tracker assemblies, each of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies including a table supporting photovoltaic modules and rotatable through an angle of inclination. The solar tracker control system includes: a plurality of solar tracker controllers periodically outputting table angle of inclination data and solar tracker assembly operating data for the associated solar tracker assembly; a plurality of weather sensors, each outputting weather condition data; and an array controller in direct, wireless communications with each solar tracker controller and each weather sensor.

Abstract: A method of determining and responding to an overcast sky condition during daylight hours in a solar tracker installation utilizing a single, fixed-position irradiance sensor associated with a set of solar tracker assemblies of the solar tracker installation and, if a series of irradiance levels communicated by the irradiance sensor to an array controller of a solar tracker control system of the installation indicates that an overcast sky condition has been present for a predetermined overcast sky duration period, the array controller transmitting control signals to a set of solar tracker controllers associated with the set of solar tracker assemblies to deviate from a normal solar tracking mode to an overcast sky mode by pivoting respective tables of the associated set of solar tracker assemblies to one or more predetermined overcast sky condition angles of inclination, and a solar tracker control system for implementing the foregoing method.

Abstract: A control system for a solar tracker assembly installation including a plurality of solar tracker assemblies, each of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies including a table supporting photovoltaic modules and rotatable through an angle of inclination. The solar tracker control system includes: a plurality of solar tracker controllers periodically outputting table angle of inclination data and solar tracker assembly operating data for the associated solar tracker assembly; a plurality of weather sensors, each outputting weather condition data; and an array controller in direct, wireless communications with each solar tracker controller and each weather sensor.

Abstract: A solar tracker assembly including a drive mechanism including a rotating drive rotatable about a drive mechanism axis of rotation and a table pivoted by the rotating drive. The table includes first and second torque tube beam segments; first and second drive journals affixed to opposite sides of the rotating drive, longitudinal center lines of the drive journals coincident with the drive mechanism axis of rotation. The table further includes first and second bearings, an end of the first torque tube beam segment coupled to the first bearing to rotate about the first bearing axis of rotation and an end of the second torque tube beam segment coupled the second bearing to rotate about the second bearing axis of rotation. The first and second bearing axes of rotation are vertically offset from the longitudinal center lines of the first and second drive journals and the drive mechanism axis of rotation.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly mounted to a torque tube beam of a solar tracker assembly and supporting longitudinally extending edge portions of first and second photovoltaic modules, the first set of photovoltaic modules on a first side of the torque tube beam and the second set of photovoltaic modules on an opposite side of the torque tube beam and the longitudinally extending edge portions of the first and second sets of photovoltaic modules extending parallel to the torque tube beam. The mounting bracket assembly includes first and second mounting brackets coupled to the beam. First and second module support members are coupled to and span the first and second mounting brackets. The first module support member includes first and second support arms supporting edge portions of the first photovoltaic module and the second module support member includes third and fourth support arms supporting edge portions of the second photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided having a pivoting table driven for rotation about an axis of rotation through a rotational angle range. The pivoting table includes a longitudinally extending beam and a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported by and pivoting with the beam. The system also includes an actuator coupled to the beam for rotating the pivoting table about the axis of rotation through the rotational angle range. A controller is provided for activating the actuator to control rotational angular position of the table.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to an upright support post for rotatably supporting a torque tube beam of a solar tracker assembly and including: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a stationary saddle assembly. The rotatable bearing assembly includes a central portion and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions, the central portion defining a beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion including a second arcuate rim bearing, and the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly. The stationary saddle assembly includes a first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the second arcuate rim bearing.

Abstract: A solar tracking system is provided having a pivoting table driven for rotation about an axis of rotation through a rotational angle range. The pivoting table includes a longitudinally extending beam and a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported by and pivoting with the beam. The system also includes an actuator coupled to the beam for rotating the pivoting table about the axis of rotation through the rotational angle range. A controller is provided for activating the actuator to control rotational angular position of the table.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to an upright support post for rotatably supporting a torque tube beam of a solar tracker assembly and including: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a stationary saddle assembly. The rotatable bearing assembly includes a central portion and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions, the central portion defining a torque tube beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion including a second arcuate rim bearing, and the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly. The stationary saddle assembly includes a first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race slidably support the second arcuate rim bearing.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing apparatus mountable to an upright support post for rotatably supporting a torque tube beam of a solar tracker assembly and including: a rotatable bearing assembly supported for rotation about an axis of rotation by a stationary saddle assembly. The rotatable bearing assembly includes a central portion and first and second spaced apart arcuate peripheral portions, the central portion defining a torque tube beam slot, the first arcuate peripheral portion including a first arcuate rim bearing and the second arcuate peripheral portion including a second arcuate rim bearing, and the first and second rim bearings being spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable bearing assembly. The stationary saddle assembly includes a first arcuate bearing race slidably supporting the first arcuate rim bearing and a spaced apart second arcuate bearing race slidably support the second arcuate rim bearing.

Abstract: An electrical ribbon cable of parallel, coplanar conductive wires having an insulating layer of sintered porous PTFE tape around each of the wires, and a second insulating layer of porous sintered PTFE film around the wires. A conductive layer is then applied and then an outer insulating layer. The cable may be simply and quickly mass-terminated by means of standard tools and connectors. It is constructed such that the velocity of propagation of a signal along any wire is greater than 85% of the velocity of propagation of signals along similar wires suspended in air, and such that the time delay of signal propagation from one end of any wire to the other end is less than 1.17 nanoseconds per foot of length of the cable.