Abstract: A calibration process of a solar panel installation measures current from a plurality of tracker tables, and based upon the time of day of the detected shade transitions, day of the year and the location of the solar panel installation, the time difference of the detected shade transition for each tracker panel can be used to determine the relative elevation of adjacent tracker tables. The calculation is performed using the known angle of the tracker and the elevation of the sun when the transition occurred to calculate the height offset of the tables. This transition of charging current marks the point where shading ended and the sun elevation is used to calculate the height offset of adjacent tables. This calculation uses the known angle of the tracker and the elevation of the sun when shading ended to calculate the height offset of the tables.

Abstract: A method of installing a solar panel assembly that includes a first beam, a second beam and a third beam where the first and second beams are parallelly spaced and perpendicular to the third beam, and further includes a plurality of purlins, a semicircular ring fastened to the third beam, and a plurality of photovoltaic panels between adjacent ones of the plurality of purlins to form the solar panel assembly, the method comprising lifting the solar panel assembly and rotatably attaching it to a post by inserting a pin into a first bore in a flange extending from the third beam and into a second bore in the post, where the first and second bores are coaxial such that the solar panel assembly has a range of rotational motion about the pin, and fastening proximate and distal ends of the first and second beams to distal and proximate ends of adjacent solar panel assemblies.

Abstract: A solar panel installation includes a plurality of bifacial solar panels and a plurality of reflective panels separated from and opposing a back side of the bifacial panels to reflect sunlight onto the back side of the panels. Each of the reflective panels may include a plurality of projections to improve the reflectivity onto the back side of the bifacial solar panels.

Abstract: A fixed tilt solar panel racking assembly includes gimbled mounting plate mounted atop a stationary structural member that provides a plurality of degrees of freedom during mounting plate installation. In addition, the mounting plate is configured to transfer horizontal load from one solar panel to an adjacent solar panel supported on the same plate, such that the array of panels and plates acts as a horizontal diaphragm. Horizontal load may be transferred from one side of the solar array to another where a stiffer stationary support may be located.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a first base of a first hat-shaped channel wherein the first hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a second base of a second hat-shaped channel and the second hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a load distributing channel. The mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel are configured to be removable with respect to a fastener along the fastener axis. The fastener is received through coaxial apertures located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel. The channels are of a certain length that is sufficient to add stiffness to an object being supported by the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A method of installing a solar panel assembly that includes a first beam, a second beam and a third beam where the first and second beams are parallelly spaced and perpendicular to the third beam, and further includes a plurality of purlins, a semicircular ring fastened to the third beam, and a plurality of photovoltaic panels between adjacent ones of the plurality of purlins to form the solar panel assembly, the method comprising lifting the solar panel assembly and rotatably attaching it to a post by inserting a pin into a first bore in a flange extending from the third beam and into a second bore in the post, where the first and second bores are coaxial such that the solar panel assembly has a range of rotational motion about the pin, and fastening proximate and distal ends of the first and second beams to distal and proximate ends of adjacent solar panel assemblies.

Abstract: A single axis solar tracker includes two drive systems (motors) that both rotate a rotating shaft. The drive systems may be located about 16-25% from either longitudinal end of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a reinforcement channel configured to nest around a first base of a first hat-shaped channel wherein the first hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a second base of a second hat-shaped channel and the second hat-shaped channel is configured to nest around a load distributing channel. The mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel are configured to be removable with respect to a fastener along the fastener axis. The fastener is received through coaxial apertures located within the mounting base, the reinforcement channel, the first hat-shaped channel, the second hat-shaped channel and the load distributing channel. The channels are of a certain length that is sufficient to add stiffness to an object being supported by the mounting assembly.

Abstract: A single axis solar tracker includes two drive systems (motors) that both rotate a rotating shaft. The drive systems may be located about 16-25% from either longitudinal end of the rotating shaft.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly comprises a plurality of solar panel arrays, each substantially parallel, where the plurality of solar panel arrays comprises a windward array located at an upwind perimeter of the solar panel assembly, where each of the plurality of solar panel arrays comprises a plurality of racking structures. The rotatable shaft of the windward array comprises a thickness and a length that provides a torsional stiffness, which allows the rotatable shaft of the windward array to deflect 60-80 degrees from a horizontal plane, that is perpendicular to length of the stationary structural member, in response to an applied torque from wind speeds on the windward array in excess of 70 mph, thus positioning the solar panels mounted to the windward array to shield the plurality of solar panel arrays located downwind from the windward array from high wind loads.