Abstract: A solar power plant includes a solar tracker supporting solar modules with the solar tracker supported on a first end by a first pier and on a second end by a second pier. A drive device is coupled to the solar tracker and configured to rotate the solar tracker about an axis. An energy storage unit is supported by the solar tracker between the first pier and the second pier with the energy storage unit configured to power the drive device. The solar tracker also includes a controller in communication with a memory with the memory storing instructions thereon that when executed by the controller, cause the controller to: receive forecast data for the solar power plant; determine, based on the forecast data, a diffuse angle adjustment; and output a signal to the drive device to rotate the solar tracker to a desired angle based on the diffuse angle adjustment.

Abstract: A washer clip device includes a first clip arm, a second clip arm, at least one grounding element at the first clip arm and/or the second clip arm, and a fastening aperture extending through the first clip arm. The first and second clip arms are joined together at a first end of the washer clip device to define a first internal clip area adjacent the first end, and the first and second clip arms are spaced apart from one another at a second end of the washer clip device to define a receiving gap between the first and second clip arms and adjacent to the second end. This washer clip device is movable between a coupling configuration and a receiving configuration, with the receiving gap being larger when in the receiving configuration than when in the coupling configuration.

Abstract: A mounting assembly, for fixing a solar module to a torque tube, includes a rail and a saddle. The rail includes first and second sides, first and second solar module mounting apertures at the first side, and first and second saddle mounting apertures at the second side. The saddle includes a saddle body and first and second saddle arms each extending from the saddle body. The first saddle arm includes a first mounting aperture and the second saddle arm includes a second mounting aperture. The first saddle mounting aperture and the first mounting aperture are configured to receive a first fastening member to form a first connection between the rail and the saddle. And the second saddle mounting aperture and the second mounting aperture are configured to receive a second fastening member to form a second connection between the rail and the saddle.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing housing includes a housing, a pin aperture at the housing, a rotatable ring rotatably seated at the pin aperture, and a pin received at the rotatable ring. The pin is configured to rotatably connect to at least one torque tube to cause the pin to rotate with the torque tube in a first plane, and the pin is configured to pivot with the rotatable ring in a second, different plane to change an angular orientation of the pin relative to the pin aperture.

Abstract: A mounting assembly, for fixing a solar module to a torque tube, includes a rail and a saddle. The rail includes first and second sides, first and second solar module mounting apertures at the first side, and first and second saddle mounting apertures at the second side. The saddle includes a saddle body and first and second saddle arms each extending from the saddle body. The first saddle arm includes a first mounting aperture and the second saddle arm includes a second mounting aperture. The first saddle mounting aperture and the first mounting aperture are configured to receive a first fastening member to form a first connection between the rail and the saddle. And the second saddle mounting aperture and the second mounting aperture are configured to receive a second fastening member to form a second connection between the rail and the saddle.

Abstract: A flexible tube connector includes a central tube region, a first tube end portion, a second tube end portion, and one or more flexibility features. The first tube end portion extends out from one end of the central tube region, and the first tube end portion is configured to couple to a first torque tube of a solar tracker apparatus. The second tube end portion extends out from another, opposite end of the central tube region, and the second tube end portion is configured to couple to a second torque tube of the solar tracker apparatus. The one or more flexibility features are at the central tube region, and the one or more flexibility features are configured to cause the first tube end portion to connect to the first torque tube and the second tube end portion to connect to the second torque tube at a plurality of angular orientations.

Abstract: A solar tracker system comprising a plurality of on sun trackers and a plurality of off sun tracker. Each tracker is selectively adjusted to achieve a desired power output of the solar power plant system in an example.

Abstract: Coupling assemblies for use with solar trackers include a housing, a bearing, and at least one hard stop. The housing includes a circular aperture and protruding members extending from the housing. The bearing fits within the circular aperture and rotate within the circular aperture of the housing. The bearing includes an aperture having the shape of the cross-section of a torque tube. The hard stop engages with the protruding members to limit rotation of the bearing and torque tube to a preconfigured articulation range. The housing may include opposing ball bearing paths disposed along an inner surface of the circular aperture, and hard stops at end portions of the opposing ball bearing paths. The bearing may include ball bearing races in an outer portion of the bearing. The coupling assembly may include ball bearings configured to move in the ball bearing paths and the ball bearing races.

Abstract: A pier for a solar tracking system includes a bearing housing assembly and a frame defining a A-shaped profile having a pair of legs and a crown interposed between the pair of legs, the frame including a pivot disposed on the crown and extending between the pair of legs, the pivot configured to support the bearing housing assembly.

Abstract: A solar tracker system including at least two solar trackers arranged substantially in parallel, each solar tracker including a torque tube and a plurality of piers supporting the torque tube, a drive mechanism mounted on one of the plurality of piers associated with a first of the at least two solar trackers to rotate the first of the at least two solar trackers, a pulley mounted on each torque tube of the at least two solar trackers, and a cable connecting the pulley of the first of the at least two solar trackers to the pulley of a second of the at least two solar trackers, wherein rotation of the first of the at least two solar trackers is translated to the second of the at least two solar trackers via the cable.

Abstract: A solar module mounting bracket including a rail, having a box section configuration to support a solar module and a pair of arms each having a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The pair of arms are movable relative to the rail between a first parallel configuration, and a second substantially configuration, in which the pair of arms define an opening configured to receive a torque tube. The arms each have a hole formed in a second end portion opposite the first end portion to receive a fastener to secure the rail to the torque tube.

Abstract: A solar power system includes at least one mounting assembly including a rail, at least one framed solar module, and at least one clip to secure the solar module to the rail. The clip includes at least a pair of sidewalls extending from a top plate or rear wall, each sidewall including a slot, a recess, and a locking member, at least one of the slot, recess, or both include a serrated edge. The clips may secure a solar module to the rail by coupling to the frame of the solar module to a rail of the mounting assembly within the slots of the sidewalls. The clips may be secured to the mounting assembly by locking members positioned on a distal end thereof. The clips may establish an electrical grounding connection between the frame of the solar module and the rail.

Abstract: A solar tracking system includes a pier, a torque tube rotatably supported on the pier, a solar module coupled to the torque tube, wherein rotation of the torque tube effectuates a corresponding rotation of the solar module, and an inerter, the inerter including a drive gear couplable to the torque tube, wherein rotation of the torque tube effectuates movement of the drive gear, a drive gear operably coupled to the drive gear, wherein movement of the drive gear effectuates movement of the driven gear, and a flywheel operably coupled to the driven gear, wherein movement of the driven gear effectuates rotation of the flywheel, wherein a wind loading on the solar module effectuates rotation of the torque tube and a corresponding rotation of the flywheel, where rotation of the flywheel stores kinetic energy to mitigate excitation of the solar tracker.

Abstract: A coupling for use with a solar tracker includes an elongate body defining opposed top and bottom surfaces, the bottom surface defining a pair of protuberances disposed in spaced relation along a length of the elongate body and defining a gap therebetween, each of the pair of protuberances including a tab disposed thereon adjacent the gap, wherein the gap is configured to receive a torque tube such that an inner surface of the gap and the tabs of each of the pair of protuberances abut a portion of the torque tube, wherein each tab of the pair of protuberances includes a bore defined therethrough that is configured to receive a fastener to couple the elongate body to a torque tube.

Abstract: A coupling system for use with a solar tracker includes a saddle defining a U-shaped profile extending between opposed first and second end portions, the saddle defines a channel configured to selectively receive a module rail and a slot defined through the first and second side surfaces adjacent the first end portion, and a clip assembly slidably supported within the channel and including a clip having a generally U-shaped profile defining a crown interposed between a pair of legs having an upturned tab and extending from the crown and terminating at a respective hook, wherein the clip assembly is configured to transition from a first open position to a second, closed position where the upturned tab is received within the slot of the saddle and a hook of each of the pair of legs engages a module rail to selectively couple the module rail to the saddle.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing and a solar tracker incorporating the bearing, the bearing including at least one rotatable part, the rotatable part including a notch for receiving a torque tube, a slot, formed in the rotatable part and extending below the notch, the slot defining an arc having multiple radii, at least one engagement member configured to be received in the slot, and at least one base configured to secure the engagement member in the slot and to secure the bearing to a pier.

Abstract: A method for assessing health of a solar tracker includes receiving data associated with a parameter of a plurality of solar trackers of a solar array, determining a health status tier from data received for one or more of the plurality of solar trackers, assigning the determined health status tier to the one or more of the plurality of solar trackers, and instructing solar trackers of the plurality of solar trackers assigned to a first health status tier to transition to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.

Abstract: A solar tracker bearing and a solar tracker incorporating the bearing, the bearing including at least one rotatable part, the rotatable part including a notch for receiving a torque tube, a slot, formed in the rotatable part and extending below the notch, the slot defining an arc having multiple radii, at least one engagement member configured to be received in the slot, and at least one base configured to secure the engagement member in the slot and to secure the bearing to a pier.

Abstract: A solar power system includes at least one mounting assembly including a rail, at least one framed solar module, and at least one clip to secure the solar module to the rail. The clip includes at least a pair of sidewalls extending from a top plate or rear wall, each sidewall including a slot, a recess, and a locking member, at least one of the slot, recess, or both include a serrated edge. The clips may secure a solar module to the rail by coupling to the frame of the solar module to a rail of the mounting assembly within the slots of the sidewalls. The clips may be secured to the mounting assembly by locking members positioned on a distal end thereof. The clips may establish an electrical grounding connection between the frame of the solar module and the rail.