Array Tech, Inc.

A clip for attaching a frame rail to a mounting rail in a photovoltaic (PV) module system may include a first arm and a second arm, both with proximal and distal ends, and a connecting body that connects the proximal ends of the first arm and second arm. The first arm includes a first retention recess that may be configured to interface with a first clip retention tab and the second arm includes a second retention recess that may be configured to interface with a second clip retention tab. The first arm, the second arm, and the connecting body define a slot that may be configured to receive a mounting rail flange and a frame rail flange. One or more of the first arm, the second arm, or the connecting body may be configured to elastically deform to apply a spring force when the clip is in a compressed state.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide improvements over existing solar tracking systems by implementing a backtracking process that optimizes irradiance capture while also reducing row-to-row shading. In some embodiments, a “slope-aware” backtracking model accounts for east-west and north-south slopes that are present, as in uneven or hilly terrain.

A counterbalance assembly in a photovoltaic (PV) tracking system may include a top bracket, a bottom bracket, and a stretchable member. The top bracket may include a first connection point, and the top bracket may be configured to be secured to a torque tube such that the top bracket rotates with the torque tube about an axis of rotation. The bottom bracket may include a second connection point, and the bottom bracket may be configured to be secured to a column supporting the torque tube. The stretchable member may include a top end connected to the top bracket at the first connection point, a bottom end connected to the bottom bracket at the second connection point, and an unstretched length that may be different than a distance between the first connection point and the second connection point at zero degrees of torque tube rotation.

A photovoltaic (PV) module mount having an integrated cable management feature, a system incorporating a PV module mount, and a method for making a PV module mount are disclosed. In one embodiment, a PV module mount may include a mounting rail configured to be secured to a PV module. The mounting rail may include a first side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a second side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a connecting structure connecting the first side wall to the second side wall, and a cable management feature configured to retain one or more electrical cables. The cable management feature may be integrally formed with at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the connecting structure.

A mounting rail may be configured to couple to a first photovoltaic (PV) module and a second PV module. The mounting rail may include a hooked mechanism and an attachment feature. The hooked mechanism may at least partially define an aperture configured to receive a portion of a first module frame associated with the first PV module. The hooked mechanism may also physically engage with a surface of the first module frame to couple the first module frame to the mounting rail and to prevent the first module frame from unintentionally uncoupling from the mounting rail. The attachment feature may interface with a second module frame associated with the second PV module to couple the second module frame to the mounting rail.

A counterbalance assembly in a photovoltaic tracking system may include a top bracket secured to a torque tube such that the top bracket rotates with the torque tube about an axis of rotation between a first rotational limit in a first direction and a second rotational limit in a second direction. The assembly may include a bottom bracket secured to a column supporting the torque tube and a stretchable member with a top end connected to the top bracket and a bottom end connected to the bottom bracket. The assembly may include a means for limiting a restorative force applied by the stretchable member to less than a threshold level while the torque tube is between the first and second rotational limits. The means may include a pin-and-slot connection in the top and/or bottom brackets or a linkage between the stretchable member and the top and/or bottom brackets.

A torque tube interface for securing a torque tube to a support pile in a photovoltaic system may include a bearing housing configured to be secured to a support pile. The bearing housing may define an aperture and a housing slot. The torque tube interface may also include a bearing, which may be positioned substantially within the aperture such that the bearing is able to rotate within the bearing housing. The torque tube interface may also include a bifurcated stop which includes a first ring portion and a second ring portion that may connect and define an enclosed ring that may be secured around a torque tube and positioned at least partially within the bearing housing. The bifurcated stop may also include a limiter that is configured to extend through the housing and bearing slots to limit the amount that the torque tube may rotate.

An instrument for ensuring proper pile installation in photovoltaic systems (PV) may include a laser assembly configured to output a first beam in a first direction and a second beam in a second direction. The second beam may indicate the angular tolerance of a torque tube. The instrument may further include a mounting interface configured to position the laser assembly on a mounting pile.

Adapter clamps and systems that include adapter clamps for facilitating installation of photovoltaic (PV) components to a cylindrical pile are provided. In one embodiment, an adapter clamp may include a first arm configured to be secured to a first side of the cylindrical pile. The first arm may have edges that are configured to create Hertzian contacts with an outer surface of the cylindrical pile, and a mounting surface configured for coupling a first PV component. The adapter clamp may include a second arm configured to be secured to a second side of the cylindrical pile. The adapter clamp may further include a fastener configured to secure the first arm to the second arm and decrease a distance therebetween in order to create a frictional attachment between the first and second arms and the cylindrical pile.

A photovoltaic (PV) module mount having an integrated cable management feature, a system incorporating a PV module mount, and a method for making a PV module mount are disclosed. In one embodiment, a PV module mount may include a mounting rail configured to be secured to a PV module. The mounting rail may include a first side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a second side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a connecting structure connecting the first side wall to the second side wall, and a cable management feature configured to retain one or more electrical cables. The cable management feature may be integrally formed with at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the connecting structure.