Abstract: In solar systems, the installation process for solar tables is typically implemented manually by an installer. Such a manual process negatively impacts cost-effectiveness and installation consistency, especially for large solar systems. The present invention discloses system and method embodiments of automatic solar table transfer from a solar table mobile transport to a lander vehicle for table landing. The lander vehicle determines a lander parking zone based on ambient 3D images, infrastructure information (e.g., solar table information), a transport parking zone of the mobile transport, and parameters of the lander vehicle. The lander vehicle may be controlled to autonomously park within the determined lander parking zone for solar table transfer and landing implementation. Therefore, the mobile transport may be configured with a simplified hardware structural focused on autonomous solar table delivery, while the lander vehicle may be designated for solar table fetching and landing.

Abstract: A solar table mobile transport with sideshift capability is described that moves a solar table to a point of installation. The solar table mobile transport comprises multiple motors that allow movement within a three-dimensional coordinate system as well as provide angular controls of pitch, yaw and roll. Extended horizontal movement of the solar table is provided by a sideshift element that extends the solar table beyond an edge of a transport component of the solar table mobile transport.

Abstract: A solar table mobile transport is described that moves a solar table to a point of installation. The solar table mobile transport comprises multiple motors that allow movement within a three-dimensional coordinate system as well as provide angular controls of pitch, yaw, and roll. These motors enable at least one alignment process used to install the solar table to a mounting structure within a solar system. A parking tolerance zone is first determined using ambient images, infrastructure information, and parameters of the mobile transport. Afterwards, the mobile transport implements horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, and insertion process for autonomous solar table landing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solar table mobile transport vehicle capable of carrying multiple solar tables are described. Multiple solar tables may be vertically stacked on a rack. Each solar table may be supported by a pair of cantilevered beams such that the solar table may be unloaded from the rack in an unobstructed manner. The rack may be loaded on a mobile transport vehicle for transportation to a point of installation. Solar tables in the rack may be fetched by the mobile transport vehicle or another installation rover for installation. Such a capability of carrying multiple solar tables increases the installation efficiency of solar tables, especially for large solar farm constructions.

Abstract: In solar systems, the installation process for solar table is typically implemented manually by an installer. Such a manual process negatively impacts cost-effectiveness and installation consistency, especially for large solar systems. The present invention discloses system and method embodiments of automatic solar table landing and securement by a solar table mobile transport or a lander vehicle. The solar table mobile transport or the lander vehicle may be controlled to allow motorized and automatic alignment of the solar table while it is still secured to the mobile transport or the lander. As a result, installation efficiency may be significantly improved.

Abstract: Embodiments of a rack stack capable of holding multiple solar tables are described. The rack stack comprises one or more stackable solar table racks, with each solar table rack capable of holding more than one solar table. Each solar table may be supported by a pair of cantilevered beams such that the solar table may be unloaded from the rack in an unobstructed manner. The rack stack may be formed in a centralized factory and transported by a transportation vehicle, e.g., a mobile transport vehicle, a trailer, or a flatbed truck, to an offloading location near installation points of the solar tables. Solar tables in the rack stack may be fetched by a placer vehicle or a forklift via an end effector for installation. The ability of stacking multiple solar tables onto the rack stack improves solar table installation efficiency, especially for large solar farm constructions.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solar table mobile transport vehicle capable of carrying multiple solar tables are described. Multiple solar tables may be vertically stacked on a rack. Each solar table may be supported by a pair of cantilevered beams such that the solar table may be unloaded from the rack in an unobstructed manner. The rack may be loaded on a mobile transport vehicle for transportation to a point of installation. Solar tables in the rack may be fetched by the mobile transport vehicle or another installation rover for installation. Such a capability of carrying multiple solar tables increases the installation efficiency of solar tables, especially for large solar farm constructions.

Abstract: Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

Abstract: A solar table mobile transport with sideshift capability is described that moves a solar table to a point of installation. The solar table mobile transport comprises multiple motors that allow movement within a three-dimensional coordinate system as well as provide angular controls of pitch, yaw and roll. Extended horizontal movement of the solar table is provided by a sideshift element that extends the solar table beyond an edge of a transport component of the solar table mobile transport.

Abstract: A solar table mobile transport with sideshift capability is described that moves a solar table to a point of installation. The solar table mobile transport comprises multiple motors that allow movement within a three-dimensional coordinate system as well as provide angular controls of pitch, yaw, and roll. Extended horizontal movement of the solar table is provided by a sideshift element that extends the solar table beyond an edge of a transport component of the solar table mobile transport. The mobile transport may incorporate wings to prevent the solar table from rotating during transportation. The wings may be adjustable such that the solar table may be maneuvered in height and pitch/roll/yaw angle into an installation instance before unloading. Such a capability of sideshft in combination of instance adjustment facilitates an installation process of the solar table.

Abstract: A solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.

Abstract: Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

Abstract: Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

Abstract: Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are improved solar tracker systems having variable profiles and related operating methods thereof. Solar-tracking PV systems with variable twisted or aerodynamic profiles offer several advantages including improved wind stability, improved shading characteristics and/or capability to correct system component misalignment. In an embodiment, motor drives (and locking devices if present) of a PV system can be driven against each other to cause a desirable twisted or aerodynamic profile of a torque tube and associated PV modules mounted on the torque tube. The desired twisted or aerodynamic profiles can range from a substantially flat horizontal plate to a twisted helix-like profile and combinations thereof so as to establish improved wind and/or shading characteristics. Advantages can also include a reduction in structural materials, increased structural strength, increased solar energy yield or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A wire management device is disclosed. The device comprises a clip comprising an upper planar member and a lower planar member, each planar member having an inner and outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the upper planar member includes a post extending toward the inner surface of the lower planar member, a stem extending from the outer surface of the lower planar member, the stem including two outwardly-extending flanges, each of the first and second outwardly-extending flanges including an edge portion extending toward the outer surface of the lower planar member, and a transverse passage extending along the outer surface of the lower planar member, the transverse passage extending across the stem, wherein the stem has a recessed portion along the transverse passage.

Abstract: A solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having a motor drive vertically below a PV module, is described. In an example, the motor drive rotates a torque tube holding the PV module. The motor drive may include a gearbox having a worm drive, and a gearmotor having an offset gear. The offset gear may be coupled to a planetary gear train along an axis of a worm of the worm drive, and the offset gear may be coupled to a motor along a shaft axis offset vertically below the worm axis. Accordingly, the motor may be offset vertically below the worm drive, i.e., farther from the PV laminate than the worm drive, and a rotational clearance for the PV laminate may be increased.

Abstract: A solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.

Abstract: Cable management devices for use in photovoltaic (PV) module systems are described, including a cable support clip, a cable support stand, and a cable support tray. The cable management devices may be easily mounted on support surfaces, e.g., a roof or a frame rail, to lock electrical wiring in place and prevent contact with external structures. Furthermore, the cable management devices may be fabricated from low-cost and weather-resistant materials, e.g., spring wire or recycled automobile tires.

Abstract: A multi-drive solar-tracking photovoltaic (PV) system having several PV modules mounted on a torque tube is described. In an example, several motor drives input torque to the torque tube, and the motor drives are controlled by a single controller. The torque tube may include several sections joined by a torque tube coupler. For example, the torque tube coupler may having a medial section and end sections to join to the torque tube sections. The medial section and the adjoined torque tube sections may have a same outer diameter.