Abstract: A solar tracker system having support piers including a first support pier and a second support pier. Each of the first and second support piers include a lower portion having a first ground pile and a second ground pile, respectively, and an upper portion having a first angled leg and a second angled leg coupled to each other proximate a top of the upper portion. The upper portion coupled to the lower portion via a first attachment joint and a second attachment joint, and the upper portion configured to rotate relative to the lower portion via the first attachment joint and the second attachment joint. The solar tracker system further including a torque tube rotatably supported by the support piers, a plurality of solar modules coupled to the torque tube, and a drive motor configured to cause the torque tube to rotate.

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: Some embodiments include a solar module assembly with a solar module, short edges, long edges, and corner tabs, where at least one of the short edges and the long edges include the corner tabs. Some embodiments include a solar module assembly with a solar module, short edges including a first plurality of protrusions, long edges including a second plurality of protrusions, and corner joints including a plurality of openings, where the plurality of openings lock with the first plurality of protrusions and the second plurality of protrusions. Some embodiments include a method of forming a solar module assembly, the method including preparing joining components of a solar module frame, positioning the edges and solar module for assembly, applying sealant to one or more of the edges, and assembling the edges and the solar module into the solar module assembly.

Abstract: Described herein is an A-frame support for a solar tracker system. The A-frame support includes multiple legs each partially embedded in an underlying ground. For example, the A-frame support includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg is connected to the second leg, cither integrally or via a connecting member, to form the A-frame support.

Abstract: A system includes a solar module and a slide locking rail for coupling to the solar module frame. The solar module frame includes a locking flange. The slide locking rail includes a rail body, a first sidewall at a first side of the rail body, an alignment tab at the rail body spaced apart from the first sidewall, a first channel defined between the first sidewall and the alignment tab along the first side of the rail body, and a first hard stop extending transversely across at least a portion of the first channel. Upon relative movement between the solar module frame and the rail body, the first channel is configured to receive the locking flange of the solar module frame in contact with the first hard stop at the first channel.

Abstract: A solar tracker support frame assembly includes a multi-leg solar tracker support frame, a hanging bearing housing assembly, a hard stop member, and a brace member. The hanging bearing housing assembly is at the multi-leg solar tracker support frame and is configured to support a torque tube below a bridge of the frame. The hard stop member interfaces with at least one of a first leg, a second leg, and the bridge of the frame. The hard stop member includes an interference surface configured to contact the torque tube and thereby impede further movement of the torque tube beyond the interference surface. The brace member extends between the first and second legs of the frame below the bridge and below the hard stop member.

Abstract: A solar tracker support structure includes a first leg, a second leg, a bridge, a first pair of pivot joints, and a second pair of pivot joints. The first leg includes first leg proximal and distal end portions. The second leg includes second leg proximal and distal end portions. The bridge extends between the first leg proximal and second leg proximal end portion. The first pair of pivot joints is configured to move the solar tracker support structure about a first axis. The second pair of pivot joints is configured to move the solar tracker support structure about a second, different axis.

Abstract: A solar tracker support frame assembly includes a multi-leg solar tracker support frame and a hanging bearing housing assembly. The multi-leg solar tracker support frame includes first and second frame legs and a bridge extending between the first and second frame legs. The hanging bearing housing assembly is at the multi-leg solar tracker support frame and is configured to support a torque tube. The hanging bearing housing assembly includes a bearing sleeve and a torque tube connector. The bearing sleeve includes a first bearing sleeve portion and a hanging bearing sleeve portion. The first bearing sleeve portion interfaces with the bridge, and the hanging bearing sleeve portion extends out from the first bearing sleeve portion below the bridge. The torque tube connector is configured to couple the torque tube to the hanging bearing housing assembly at least at the hanging bearing sleeve portion below the bridge.

Abstract: A method for coupling a solar module frame to a torque tube of a solar tracker using a hooked flange solar module frame coupling apparatus includes: positioning a hook portion the of frame component relative to a frame receiving receptacle at a rail; moving the hook portion of the frame from a biased, coupling configuration to a receptacle entry configuration via contact between the hook portion and the rail; and moving the hook portion from the receptacle entry configuration to the biased, coupling configuration to couple the frame to the rail.

Abstract: A support structure for solar trackers with thermal expansion mitigation includes a frame rotatably coupled to one or more ground piles. The support structure further includes a pivot bracket rotatably coupled to a portion of the frame with the pivot bracket including a pivot pin to which torque tube clamps are rotatably coupled. The torque tube clamps are affixed to a torque tube and solar modules are affixed to the torque tube via one or more mounting brackets. Thermal expansion/contraction of the torque tube is translated into rotational movement of the frame relative to the one or more ground piles via the rotatable couplings including the pivot bracket. The rotational movement of the frame relative to the one or more ground piles enables the torque tube to expand/contract while mitigating mechanical stress of the support structure.

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.