US20140150774A1 - Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof - Google Patents
Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140150774A1 US20140150774A1 US14/018,865 US201314018865A US2014150774A1 US 20140150774 A1 US20140150774 A1 US 20140150774A1 US 201314018865 A US201314018865 A US 201314018865A US 2014150774 A1 US2014150774 A1 US 2014150774A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- solar tracking
- solar
- assemblies
- tracking units
- frame
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 193
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 193
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 11
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 abstract description 11
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 26
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 9
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 4
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000010079 rubber tapping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- MARUHZGHZWCEQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-phenyl-2h-tetrazole Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1C1=NNN=N1 MARUHZGHZWCEQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910000530 Gallium indium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910001335 Galvanized steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- HVMJUDPAXRRVQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper indium Chemical compound [Cu].[In] HVMJUDPAXRRVQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004512 die casting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008397 galvanized steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241001310793 Podium Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012804 iterative process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005457 optimization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F24J2/54—
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
- H01L31/052—Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/65—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
- F24S30/45—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes
- F24S30/452—Vertical primary axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
- F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/10—Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/30—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
- H02S20/32—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S2020/10—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
- F24S2020/10—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements
- F24S2020/16—Preventing shading effects
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
- F24S2025/012—Foldable support elements
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A solar tracker assembly for mounting one or more solar tracking units, which can be adapted for use with various solar energy modules such as photovoltaic modules and heliostat mirrors, is provided. Each assembly comprises a frame of four sides connected at leg assemblies, each leg assembly being adapted for mounting a solar tracking unit. The frame may be configured as an oblique-angled, rhombus or diamond frame with a cross member extending between the closer-spaced leg assemblies. A set of frames may be arranged in the field with adjacent sides of adjacent frames being parallel, with spacing arms of predefined lengths interconnecting adjacent pairs of frames, to provide a desired hexagonal grid spacing.
Description
- This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/732,044 filed 30 Nov. 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. This application further incorporates the entireties of U.S. Provisional Applications Nos. 61/523,817 filed 15 Aug. 2011 and to 61/532,083 filed 7 Sep. 2011 and PC′I′ application PCT/IB2012/052723 filed 30 May 2012 by reference.
- The present disclosure relates to the field of solar energy, and in particular to tracking solar tracking assemblies, and arrangements thereof.
- Solar power is typically captured for the purpose of electrical power production by an interconnected assembly of photovoltaic (PV) cells arranged over a large surface area of one or more solar panels. Multiple solar panels may be arranged in arrays.
- In addition to the difficulties inherent in developing efficient solar panels capable of optimum performance—including inconsistencies in manufacturing and inaccuracies in assembly—field conditions pose a further obstacle to cost-effective implementation of solar energy collection. Conventionally, solar tracker systems, which include a tracker controller to direct the positioning of the solar panels, benefit from mounting on a flat surface permitting accurate mounting of the system and ensuring stability by anchoring the system to a secure foundation, for example by pouring a concrete foundation. These requirements, however, add to the cost of field installation because of the additional equipment and manpower requirements.
- In drawings which illustrate by way of example only select embodiments that are described herein,
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ground-based tracking solar panel assembly; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective, partially exploded view of a box frame portion of the assembly ofFIG. 1 in a deployed state; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the box frame ofFIG. 2 in a collapsed state; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a leg assembly for mounting to a truss of the box frame ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIGS. 5 , 6 and 7 are perspective views of alternate frame configurations; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an armature assembly for use with the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 9 and 10 are side elevations of example solar panels for use with the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of a mounted photovoltaic tracker module from the assembly ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example of a plurality of interconnected frames; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic showing electrical and communication interconnections among a plurality of tracking solar panel assemblies ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process for auto-calibration; -
FIG. 16 is a further schematic showing electrical and communication interconnections among a plurality of tracking solar panel assemblies in a solar farm; -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a ground-based tracking solar panel assembly; -
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a ground-based tracking assembly including a frame and armatures; -
FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a leg assembly of the solar panel assembly ofFIG. 17 ; -
FIGS. 19B and 19C are detail views of the leg assembly ofFIG. 19A ; -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the frame ofFIG. 17 in a collapsed state; -
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the frame ofFIG. 17 partially disassembled; -
FIG. 22A is a side view of the frame and armatures ofFIG. 18 ; -
FIG. 22B is another side view of the frame and armatures ofFIG. 18 ; -
FIG. 23 is a perspective of an example of a plurality of interconnected frames; -
FIG. 24A is a perspective view of an example of a ground-based tracking solar panel assembly; -
FIG. 24B is a side view of an example of a ground-based tracking solar panel assembly; -
FIG. 24C is a top view of an example of a plurality of interconnected frames; -
FIG. 25A is a top view of an example of a field of interconnected frames in a first arrangement and orientation; -
FIG. 25B is a top view of the field ofFIG. 25B in a second orientation; -
FIGS. 25C to 25E are top views of the field ofFIG. 25B overlaid by diamond and hexagonal grids; -
FIG. 26A is a top view of an example of a field of interconnected frames in a second arrangement; -
FIGS. 26B and 26C are top views of the field ofFIG. 26A overlaid by rectangular and hexagonal grids, respectively; -
FIG. 27A is a top view of an example of a field of interconnected frames in a third arrangement; -
FIGS. 27B and 27C are top views of the field ofFIG. 27A overlaid by a hexagonal grid; -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an armature assembly for use with the assembly ofFIGS. 17 and 18 ; -
FIG. 29A is a perspective view of a frame of a ground-based tracking assembly with a length-adjustable cross member; -
FIG. 29B is a detail view of the cross member of the tracking assembly ofFIG. 29A ; and -
FIG. 29C is a detail view of a leg assembly of the tracking assembly ofFIG. 29A . - A self-ballasted solar tracker assembly is provided for concentrated or non-concentrated photovoltaic solar panels to maintain stability and alignment of the panels without requiring ground preparation. A modular, collapsible truss structure is provided as a frame to support a plurality of solar tracking units on which solar panels may be mounted. These individual panels are mounted at or near their center of gravity and positioned at corners or junctions of the frame. These structures are physically interconnectible in the field for enhanced stability, thus reducing or eliminating the need for external ballast (such as concrete blocks), and also for the purpose of facilitating electrical connection and data communication. Arrangement of a plurality of these interconnected structures in a solar farm or sub-farm provides for efficiency in grounding the supporting structures of the solar tracking units.
- Turning to
FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a solar tracker assembly orunit 100 is shown. Theassembly 100 generally includes a ground-mountedframe 10 for supporting one or moresolar tracking units 200, such as the photovoltaic (PV) tracker modules illustrated inFIG. 1 . In the example illustrated inFIG. 1 , thesolar tracking units 200 are shown supportingsolar panels 205. Theframe 10 includes a plurality oftrusses FIG. 1 , theframe 10 has a first pair oftrusses frame 10, joined to a second pair oftrusses leg assemblies 30. The assembly of the trusses thus yields an overall parallelogrammatic, and in this specific example, a box orrectangular frame 10. The sides of theframe 10 need not employ trusses specifically, although the benefits of the structural stability of a truss design will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , eachindividual truss 12 includes anupper chord member 14 andlower chord member 16, and eachindividual truss 22 includes anupper chord member 24 andlower chord member 26. Thechord members truss members Trusses truss members truss members frame 10, more orfewer truss members more struts lower chord members FIG. 2 , somestruts trusses solar tracker assembly 100 installation, as well as inherent characteristics of theframe 10 and thetracker modules 200, including the weight of thetracker modules 200 to be supported, material used to fabricate thetrusses trusses - The
trusses leg assemblies 30, shown in further detail inFIGS. 3 and 4 . Eachleg assembly 30 includes ashaft 31, and can include anadjustable foot member 37, as shown in one example of the leg assembly as illustrated inFIG. 2 . Thefoot member 37 in this example is detachable and includes aplate member 39 extending from astem 38. Thestem 38 is attached to theshaft 31 of theleg assembly 30, and in some examples the attachment point of thestem 38 to theshaft 31 may be varied so as to permit adjustment of the overall height of theleg assembly 30, and thus of thesolar tracking units 200 when mounted thereon. Thestem 38 andplate member 39 may have alternate configurations than that described herein. In some examples, a spike member or other attachment component, not shown, for anchoring the leg assembly in the ground and/or electrically grounding theframe 10 can be provided in addition to or instead ofplate member 39. A distal end of theleg assembly 30 provides a mountingend 35 for mounting an armature assembly bearing thesolar tracking module 200. - The
trusses leg assemblies 30, and their respective components, may be manufactured from any suitable material. For example, the trusses and leg assemblies may be manufactured from galvanized steel or aluminum, and may be manufactured from extruded or drawn metal tubing, whether open or seamed. Further, in some examples, at least theupper chord members upper chord members lower chord members leg assembly 30 may be provided with a similar axial borehole or interior channel. In the examples illustrated herein, theleg assembly 30 is a tubular member. -
FIG. 3 illustrates threetrusses frame 10 joined to the fourleg assemblies 30 illustrated inFIG. 2 . In this example, the three trusses are assembled with theleg assemblies 30 in a collapsed state suitable for transportation. In this configuration, the trusses remain joined, but more easily transportable than when theframe 10 is completely assembled. The remainingfourth truss 22 may be provided separately. It will be appreciated, however, that even with the fourth truss connected in theframe 10, theframe 10 may still be collapsed to a substantially flat, folded structure suitable for transport. This view illustratesflange units leg assemblies 30, which are provided for mounting thetrusses trusses leg assemblies 30, shown inFIG. 4 , are advantageously adapted to provide a hinged connection between eachtruss leg assembly 30 to permit theframe 10 to be shipped in a partially assembled state. Further, since thetrusses lower chords - Turning to
FIG. 4 , a further view of theleg assembly 30 is shown. A first,lower flange unit 32 is provided near a first end (i.e., near the end joined to the foot member 37) of the leg assembly. Theflange unit 32 in this example comprises a set of fourflanges box frame 10, theflanges leg assembly 30, i.e., at right angles to one another. In this example, theindividual flanges lower chord members fasteners 42. Thelower chord member flange 32 c, 32 b such that the boreholes provided in each component are substantially aligned, and thefasteners 42 are used to join the chord member to its respective flange. Thefasteners 42 may also facilitate an electrical connection between the chord member and theleg assembly 30 via its respective flange for electrical grounding purposes.Suitable fasteners 42 may be selected for joining and/or electrically connecting the chord members and flanges, such as the illustrated threaded bolts and washers. The fasteners mentioned herein may, for example, be self-tapping screws or split pins; thus the boreholes in theflange unit 32 and trusses 12, 22 need not be threaded. - It will be appreciated that other means of attaching a
truss leg assembly 30 may be used; for example, theleg assembly 30 need not be provided with theflange units lower chords individual flanges 32 b, 32 c, however, also provide support to thelower chord member truss FIG. 4 , theflange units shaft 31 of theleg assembly 30, in some examples theflange units shaft 31 at different heights of theshaft 31. Theflange unit 32, for example, may comprise a tubular body with theflanges shaft 31. If theshaft 31 and tubular body of theflange unit 32 are circular, theflange unit 32 may be rotated to the desired orientation. Theflange unit 32 may be slid along the length of theshaft 31 then fixed in position using appropriate fasteners. To simplify field installation, however, the flange units are fixed at predetermined positions. - Once the
frame 10 is assembled, two of theflanges truss additional flanges leg assembly 30 to be joined to additional trusses (not shown), and to spacing arms, described below with reference toFIG. 13 . - The
upper flange units lower flange unit 32 described above. Theupper flange units lower flange unit 32 on theshaft 31 to receive theupper chord members trusses lower flange unit 32. In this example, theupper chord members first flange unit 33, which supports the chord member, and thesecond flange unit 34.Fasteners 44 are then used to secure thechord member - One or more of the
leg assemblies 30 can include one ormore ports 40 positioned at or near a level of theupper chord member such port 40 is shown inFIG. 4 . Cables, wires or hoses threaded through thechord member first port 40 corresponding to the open end of a firstupper chord member 14, and pass through theleg assembly 30 to emerge from a second port corresponding to the open end of the secondupper chord member 24, through which the cable, wire or hose continues. Alternatively, some cables and wires can be threaded through thechord member chord member chord member 24 is electrically grounded, low voltage controls cables can be threaded through thechord member chord member chord member chord member chord member leg assembly 30 and run underground where they can be electrically isolated. Theleg assembly 30 may also include a separator to isolate high and low voltage cables within theleg assembly 30. - The box shape of the
example frame 10 provides a sufficiently stable configuration for mounting ofsolar tracking units 200. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative frame configurations are possible. An example of atriangular frame 50 is shown inFIG. 5 , in which threetrusses 52 are mounted toleg assemblies 54. In this particular configuration, thetrusses 52 are substantially the same length, thus yielding a substantially equilateral triangle configuration; however, thetrusses 52 may include two or three different lengths. Thetrusses 52 andleg assemblies 54 may be joined in a manner similar to that described in relation toFIG. 4 , although unlike the example ofFIG. 4 , the flanges extending from theleg assemblies 54 will be arranged at angles suitable for joining the trusses in the desired triangular configuration. - Two other possible configurations are shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7 .FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an X-configuration for aframe 60, with fourtrusses 62 mounted to acentral support post 66 at a central point, and fourleg assemblies 64 joined to a distal end of eachtruss 62. Solar tracking units, not shown, would then be mounted at least on one of theleg assemblies 64. The arrangement of the solar tracking units is thus similar to the arrangement of thesolar tracking units 200 on thebox frame 10 ofFIG. 1 .FIG. 7 shows a further X-configuration in which thetrusses 72 again are mounted to acentral support post 76, and extend in a similar arrangement to that shown inFIG. 6 ; however, the distal end of eachtruss 72 is mounted at adistal support post 74, and twoleg assemblies 78 are joined to each of the distal support posts 74 by means of support beams 77 or a further truss. As in the example ofFIG. 6 , theframe 70 can support at least four solar tracking units (not shown), which can be mounted on the distal support posts 74. The examples shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 can be collapsed to facilitate transportation. The central support posts 66, 76 are provided with hinged connections, such that thetrusses FIG. 7 are also provided with hinges, such that theleg assemblies 78 can be collapsed. - In the example illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thesolar tracking units 200 are mounted on a mountingend 35 of theleg assemblies 30. Thesolar tracking unit 200 includes anarmature assembly 80, shown inFIG. 8 . A solar panel, such as those described in further detail below with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10 , may be mounted on each of thearmature assemblies 80. Eachsolar tracking unit 200 can also be provided with a sun position sensor (not shown) for use in computerized calibration to ensure that sunlight is normally incident on the surface of the solar panel, and to compensate for the vagaries of the field installation such as uneven terrain affecting the pitch of a givenunit 200, and other issues such as manufacturing errors in the manufacture of thesolar panel - The
armature assembly 80 includes ashaft 82 having an external diameter sized to fit within the mountingend 35 of theleg assembly 30. The orientation of theshaft 82 within theleg assembly 30 may be determined during field installation, but generally the orientation will be determined by the desired north-south alignment of theframe 10 and thesolar tracking units 200. Alignment of thesolar tracking unit 200 on theframe 10 can be set by one or more notches orembrasures 93 at the first end of theshaft 82′, which receive one or more corresponding protrusions or pins (not shown) within the mountingend 35 of theleg assembly 30. In the example ofFIG. 8 , afirst collar 98 and asecond collar 99 are provided on theshaft 82 set back from thefirst end 82′. Each of the first andsecond collar shaft 82 orfirst end 82′, with thefirst collar 98 being sized to fit within the mountingend 35 of the leg assembly 30 (not shown inFIG. 8 ) with minimal or no clearance. Thesecond collar 99 can have substantially the same external diameter as thefirst collar 98 so as to similarly fit within mountingend 35, with anupper lip 81 of greater diameter, which rests on the top edge of the mountingend 35 of theleg assembly 30 when mounted. Thus, the position of thelip 81 on theshaft 82, and in some examples the depth of thenotches 93, determine the height of thearmature assembly 80 once mounted on theleg assembly 30. In other examples, the entirety of thesecond collar 99 can have an external diameter greater than at least the internal diameter of the mountingend 35 of theleg assembly 30, and thelip 81 may be eliminated. Thesecond collar 99 in that case would rest on the top edge of the mountingend 35. When mounted, theshaft 82 can be further secured to the mountingend 35 withflats 94 or other receptacles (for example, bores or other apertures) adapted to receive fasteners (for example, set screws, not shown) provided in the mountingend 35. In some examples, bores 36 (shown inFIG. 4 ) are provided in the mountingend 35 for receiving the fasteners. - The armature assembly includes a
yoke 84 provided with ayoke mount 79, acrosspiece 85 extending from theyoke mount 79, and first andsecond arms 86 extending from thecrosspiece 85. In the configuration shown inFIG. 8 , thearms 86 extend substantially perpendicularly from thecrosspiece 85 and are substantially parallel to theyoke mount 79 and to each other, although in other configurations their relative position with respect to thecrosspiece 85 and theyoke mount 79 may vary according to the design of the solar panel mounted on thearmature assembly 80. Agusset 83 for added rigidity is mounted on thecrosspiece 85 andarms 86. Theyoke mount 79 extends through and is fixed to the center ofcrosspiece 85. Theyoke mount 79, thecrosspiece 85, thearms 86 and thegusset 83 may be manufactured as individual components welded together to form theyoke 84. Alternatively, theyoke 84 may be integrally formed as a single part by die casting. - A bearing or bushing, not shown in
FIG. 8 , may be provided within theyoke mount 79 to facilitate rotation of theyoke 84 aboutshaft 82. A first drive system for controlling yaw movement of thesolar tracking unit 200 includes afirst gear wheel 90 fixed to theshaft 82, and therefore stationary relative to theframe 10. Asecond gear wheel 91 in engagement with thefirst gear wheel 90 is also provided on thecrosspiece 85, extending from the same face of thecrosspiece 85 as thefirst gear wheel 90. Thesecond gear wheel 91 is fixed relative to theyoke 84. In the example ofFIG. 8 , the first andsecond gear wheels yoke 84, i.e., between thearms 86. A first drive assembly including a motor andgearbox 92 is provided for thesecond gear wheel 91 for controlling rotation of thesecond gear wheel 91 to cause theyoke 84 to rotate around the fixedfirst gear wheel 90 and theshaft 82. An example of a suitable drive assembly includes a weatherproof and durable stepper motor having an output shaft connected to a sealed gearbox that has an output shaft with a pinion gear (the second gear wheel 91). The pinion gear (the second gear wheel 91) can therefore provide higher torque than the stepper motor, the increase in torque depending on the gear ratios of the gears contained inside the sealed gearbox. The pinion gear connected to the output shaft of the sealed gearbox engages thefirst gear wheel 90 and can operate in an unsealed environment. The first drive system thus provides for rotation of theyoke 84 up to 360 degrees (or greater) in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In use, thearmature assembly 80 may be enclosed in a weatherproof cover (not shown) to protect the drive systems from ice, rain, sand, etc. - An
axle 88 is mounted throughholes 87 provided near the ends of the twoarms 86. Again, appropriate bearings or bushings may be provided, not shown. Each end of theaxle 88 terminates in aplate 89 for mounting to an underside of a solar panel, shown in the following figures. The precise configuration of theplates 89 will depend on the attachment means used to mount the solar panel to thearmature assembly 80; in this case, grooves are provided in the perimeter of theplate 89 to receive fasteners to join thearmature assembly 80 to the solar panel. A second drive system controlling pitch of thesolar tracking unit 200 is provided on theyoke 84 andaxle 88; afirst gear wheel 95 is mounted on theaxle 88, and asecond gear wheel 96 in engagement with thefirst gear wheel 95 is mounted on theyoke 84. In this example, thefirst gear wheel 95 is a circular sector wheel rather than a full circle like thegear wheel 90. Since yaw over a wider range (i.e., over 180 degrees) may be provided by the first drive assembly comprising thegear wheels solar tracking unit 200 over a range of 90 degrees is likely sufficient. In other examples, thegear wheel 95 may be a semicircular shape rather than a quarter-wheel; depending on the proximity of the solar panel to theaxle 88, it may not be possible to provide a full-circular gear wheel on theaxle 88. Thesecond gear wheel 96 is controlled by a further drive system including a motor andgearbox 97, also mounted on theyoke 84. An example of a suitable drive assembly includes a weatherproof and durable stepper motor having an output shaft connected to a sealed gearbox that has an output shaft with a pinion gear (the second gear wheel 96). The pinion gear (the second gear wheel 96) can therefore provide higher torque than the stepper motor, the increase in torque depending on the gear ratios of the gears contained inside the sealed gearbox. The pinion gear connected to the output shaft of the sealed gearbox engages thefirst gear wheel 95 and can operate in an unsealed environment. In the example ofFIG. 8 , themotor 97 andsecond gear wheel 96 are mounted on thearm 86 proximate to thegear wheel 95. - In
FIG. 8 , spur gears are illustrated; however, other types of gears may be employed as well to provide motion in the two substantially orthogonal planes perpendicular to theshaft 82 andaxle 88. Tension springs, not shown, may be provided to ensure engagement between the teeth of thegears motors - The solar panel mounted to the
armature assembly 80 may take any suitable shape. For example, the solar panel can include one or more flat plate solar panel modules made of semiconductors such as silicon, gallium arsenide, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium arsenide or can be a concentrated solar panel employing concentrating optics. In the case of concentrated solar panels, the solar panels include individual optical modules comprising PV cells. The optical modules may or may not include integrated electronics such as power efficiency optimizers and the like. Optics provided with the individual optical modules may include multiple-component optics. Embodiments of multiple-optic assemblies are described in United States Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011/0011449 filed 12 Feb. 2010 and 2008/0271776 filed 1 May 2008. An integrated concentrating PV module is described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0273020 filed 1 Apr. 2011. The entireties of the documents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference. The individual optical modules may be combined in series in strings of optical modules, which in turn may be connected in parallel with other strings to yield an array of optical modules. One or more strings of optical modules can be arranged in a plane to form a solar panel module. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a firstsolar panel 210 in a “podium” configuration, in which solar panel modules of optical modules are arranged in a staggered formation to define a two-level panel. Strings of optical modules are mounted on one ormore crosspieces 212 to form the solar panel modules. Thecrosspieces 212 may be manufactured from aluminum or any suitable material providing the weather resistance, rigidity and stability required for field use. Thecrosspiece 212 defines at least one recessedlevel 213 and at least one raisedlevel 214, each bearing a plurality ofoptical modules 218. Thecrosspiece 212 inFIG. 9 comprises a single raisedlevel 214 between two recessedlevels 213; however, multiple raisedlevels 214 may be interleaved between multiple recessed levels. In this example, theoptical modules 218 are mounted onheat sinks 216 which space theoptical modules 218 from thecrosspiece 212. Heat sinks may be manufactured from any suitable material; inFIG. 9 , theheat sinks 216 are manufactured from extruded aluminum, and have an “I” beam configuration including asupport 216 a, which is mounted to thecrosspiece 212 such that theoptical modules 218 are substantially parallel to thelevel level fins 216 b are provided to dissipate heat.Multiple crosspieces 212 to which the optical module strings are fixed are themselves connected bybeams 215, shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 , to which thearmature assembly 80 can be attached. - An alternative “delta”
solar panel configuration 220 is shown inFIG. 10 . In this example, thecrosspiece 222 comprises twoarms 224 angled and meeting at acentral apex 226. Again, theoptical modules 230 are mounted toheat sinks 228, which in turn are mounted to thearms 224 atsupports 228 a. While, as mentioned above with respect toFIG. 9 , the heat sinks may take a different form, the modified “I” beam form shown inFIG. 10 permits the individualoptical modules 230 to be mounted parallel to each other in a terraced arrangement. Again, thearmature assembly 80 can be mounted to beams, not shown inFIG. 10 . Both these staggered anddelta configurations panels level 213 and the at least one raisedlevel 214 or onto theangled arms 224, without the need forheat sinks -
FIG. 11 illustrates the connection of thecrosspieces 212 andbeams 215 mentioned above. Theplates 89 provided on theaxle 88 of thearmature assembly 80 may be fixed to thebeams 215 using appropriate fastening means. The individualsolar tracking units 200 and panels are usefully mounted with their center of gravity aligned with the position of theleg assembly 30 to enhance stability of the unit overall. The staggered and delta configurations of thesolar panels armature assembly 80, the axis of rotation (the pitch rotation, as defined by the axle 88) is substantially aligned with the center of gravity of thepanel FIGS. 9 and 10 by the position of theaxle 88 with respect to thepanel - Alternatively, the solar panel, whether a flat plate solar panel or a solar panel comprising concentrating optics, may have a “planar” solar panel configuration where all the receivers lie in one plane (not shown). If the center of gravity of the solar panel and panel frame used to mount the solar panel to the armature assembly is not at the center of the
axle 88, then when theaxle 88 is rotated, the center of gravity will be moved vertically against gravity requiring the system to do work. Therefore it can be advantageous to maintain the center of gravity of the solar panel and panel frame at the center of theaxle 88. To maintain the center of gravity of the solar panel and panel frame at the center of the axle 88 a counterweight may be attached to the solar panel or panel frame to shift the center of gravity to the desired location (not shown). -
FIG. 11 also illustrates a possible conduction path for grounding the supporting structures of thesolar tracking units 200. Aconductor 1100 is fixed at or near one end by afastener 1101 to thebeam 215, and extends to thefastener 1103 affixing theconductor 1100 to thegusset 83. A second end of theconductor 1100 is then fixed to the mountingend 35 of theleg assembly 30, for example at afurther fastener 1105 joining thearmature assembly 80 to theleg assembly 30. Theconductor 1100 is fastened to thearmature assembly 80 allowing enough slack to permit movement of thesolar tracking unit 200 using the yaw and pitch drive assemblies. Theconductor 1100 may be any suitable grounding wire or cable, such as insulated 10-gauge wire, and the fasteners any suitable type, and are advantageously self-tapping ground screws that are corrosive-resistant and paint-coated to resist degradation in field conditions. -
FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate wiring for grounding the supporting structures of thesolar tracking unit 200. In this example, a first length ofconductor 1201 is fixed between thefastener 1101 and a further fastener 1102 provided on theyoke arm 86. A second length ofconductor 1202 is fastened to thegusset 83 usingfastener 1103, and to theleg assembly 30 by thefastener 1105 on. In this manner, theyoke 84 and thegusset 83 provide part of the conductive grounding path, rather than relying on a longer length of cabling to provide the conductive path. In this manner, the amount of torsion and/or bending of the cable may be reduced, compared to the wiring ofFIG. 11 , since theconductor solar tracking unit 200 along multiple axes. - When deployed in the field, box frames 10 are advantageously positioned so that one truss of the
frame 10 is aligned in a north-south direction. An example of alignment and positioning is shown inFIG. 13 , which depicts three box frames 10 as they may be arranged in the field with shorter trusses oriented in a north-south direction. To maintain spacing between theframes 10, spacingarms adjacent frames 10. Spacingarms upper chord members FIG. 13 , spacingarms 1302 oriented in the north-south direction can be aligned withupper chord members spacing arms 1304 oriented in the east-west direction can be at or near ground level which can allow for people to move more easily between theframes 10 and, where spacing permits, for vehicles to be driven between theframes 10 in the east-west direction. The interconnection enhances the structural solidity of theframes 10 overall, and reduces the need for external ballasting of theframes 10. The lengths of the spacingarms frames 10 themselves are selected according to the desired spacing of individualsolar tracking units 200, which can be based at least in part on the size of the solar panels and/or environmental considerations such as shading and wind speeds, and on manufacturing considerations, for example based on an analysis of the relative component, shipping and land use costs and optimal power production. For example, the distance between leg assemblies in the north-south direction may be approximately 3.44 m and the distance between leg assemblies in the east-west direction may be approximately 4.98 m where panels of the type shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 are used. - In addition to physical interconnection of
frames 10 of thesolar tracker assemblies 100 for the purpose of enhancing stability, the individualsolar tracking units 200 are interconnected within a singlesolar tracker assembly 100. A local control unit 1402 (LCU), shown inFIG. 14 , can be provided on eachassembly 100 to control allsolar units 200 provided on asingle frame 10. Alternatively, asingle LCU 1402 can be used to control thesolar tracking units 200 on several frames (not shown). For example, a cluster offrames 10 could be positioned and arranged such that anLCU 1402 is mounted only to asingle frame 10 of the cluster and theother frames 10 do not have local control units mounted thereto. Wires can be run from thesingle LCU 1402 to each of thesolar tracking units 200 on the frames of the cluster. Within a givenframe 10 having foursolar tracking units 200, pairs of theunits 200 may be connected in series with one another, and these pairs connected in parallel with one another, thus permitting increased voltage to reduce power losses in interconnecting wires. Each pair ofunits 200 can be provided with a current and/or voltage sensor (not shown) in communication with theLCU 1402. In some examples, individualsolar tracking units 200 on a single frame are independently controllable and eachsolar tracking unit 200 can be provided with a current and/or voltage sensor. - The
LCU 1402 can receive input including astronomical data (which may be pre-programmed in the LCU or alternatively received over a network), readings from the current or power sensors, and readings from the sun position sensors on eachsolar tracking unit 200. The LCU uses the input data to determine the solar panel position for eachunit 200 and outputs signals to control the motor and to communicate with other components in the field or over a network. TheLCU 1402 may also be provided with a temperature sensor to measure the ambient temperature at theassembly 100 site. If the temperature is detected to rise above a predetermined threshold, theLCU 1402 can stop tracking the sun until the temperature returns to an operational range (e.g., −20 to +50 degrees Celsius). If wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., over 35 mph), theLCU 1402 can output a signal to themotors solar tracking units 200 into a horizontal “stowed” position. If no temperature (or wind speed) sensor is provided on theindividual assembly 100, weather data may be provided to theLCU 1402 over a communication line from a central location in a solar farm in which theassembly 100 is located, or alternatively from another network source. - The
LCU 1402 may self-calibrate its expected sun position determined from received astrological data by comparing feedback from the sun sensors or power sensor (i.e., current and/or voltage sensors) on eachtracking unit 200 in the iterative process shown inFIG. 15 . At 1510, an initial sun position is calculated by theLCU 1402. At 1520, feedback is received from the sun sensors, and at 1530 an offset is computed between the received sun sensor data and the calculated position. An orientation difference between the feedback position and the calculated position is determined at 1540, and at 1550 a coordinate transformation based on that determined difference is applied to the calculated position. As theLCU 1402 continues to receive feedback from the sensors at 1520, the transformation may be further adjusted. The transformation is then applied to other sun position calculations made by theLCU 1402 to control the position of thesolar panels solar tracking units 200. While the sun sensors on eachsolar tracking unit 200 thus may be used to compensate for factors such as uneven terrain or imperfect installation, misalignment of the sun sensor with respect to theindividual panel unit 200 may result in continuous degraded performance. Accordingly, theLCU 1402 may additionally or alternatively track the mechanical maximum power point (MPP) for each panel or plurality of panels using the current and/or voltage sensors, and carry out calibration of the panels by incrementally adjusting the alignment of individual panels along each axis to determine an optimal position. - Multiple LCUs 1402 can be interconnected in the field by
field wiring 1400, as shown inFIG. 14 . Thefield wiring 1400 may include a power bus for theassemblies 100 as well as communication wiring for each of theLCUs 1402. In one example, power line communication is used to effect communication between theLCUs 1402 and a global control or supervisory unit, not shown, which receives data from each of the plurality ofLCUs 1402 within a farm or sub-farm ofassemblies 100. The global control unit may receive data such as sun sensor data, power or current readings for eachindividual tracking unit 200 pair or for theentire assembly 100, and may transmit data to theLCUs 1402 including motor control instructions and other operational data, such as astrological data. Control of individualsolar tracking units 200 may also be effected from the global control unit, thus overriding the associatedLCU 1402. For example, maintenance personnel may use the global control unit to force thesolar tracking units 200 the stowed position or to another position for maintenance and repair, or to deactivate singlesolar tracking units 200. In other examples, wireless (RF) communication or wired serial communications may be used between theLCUs 1402 and the global control unit. The global control unit may also optionally be accessible by operators over a public or private network, such as the Internet, for remote control of the global control unit and ofindividual LCUs 1402. There is thus provided a network of independently operablesolar tracking units 200, each of which may be controlled using a central control system. - Some or all of the
LCUs 1402 can also be made so that they do not require field wiring. This can be achieved by using wireless (e.g., radio frequency) communication between theLCUs 1402 and the global control unit and by powering theLCUs 1402 either off the solar panels that the LCU is tracking or by powering each of theLCUs 1402 with one or more secondary solar panels that are connected directly to theLCU 1402 and do not contribute to the power conducted by the main power bus of the solar farm which conducts the power produced by thesolar tracking units 200. The secondary solar panels can be integrated directly into the casing of the LCU 1402 (not shown). - The global control or supervisory unit can be integrated into one of the
LCUs 1402 in a solar farm. Alternatively a smaller solar farm might need only a single LCU controlling multiple trackers and serving simultaneously as the LCU and the global control unit. -
FIG. 16 illustrates an example layout of a solar sub-farm orassembly array 1600 usingsolar tracking assemblies 100 a-100 i as described herein. Thearray 1600 inFIG. 16 includes nineassemblies 100 set out in a grid formation, with columns ofassemblies 100 connected by spacingarms arms assemblies solar tracking units 200. - Typically, when
assemblies 100 are installed, the supporting structures of eachsolar tracking unit 200 is grounded using the conductive paths described above with respect toFIGS. 11 and 12 . An earthing electrode such as a grounding rod or spike may be connected to each of theleg assemblies 30 to prevent the accumulation of undesired voltage on theframes 10 and the supporting structures (e.g. the crosspieces, beams and armature assembly) of thesolar tracking units 200. To reduce cost of installation, since the spacingarms units 200, a central grounding location for a grounding rod or spike 1650 connected to one of theframes 10 of theassembly array 1600 is selected in a position that provides the minimum possible path between the furthest individualsolar tracking unit 200 within thearray 1600 and thegrounding spike 1650. - With the foregoing
frame 10 andunits 200, thesolar tracker assemblies 100 are easily installed in the field. As mentioned above, various features of theassemblies 100 can compensate for uneven terrain; advantageously rough grading of the site is carried out to roughly level the ground, and to create paths for maintenance access. On unstable ground or fertile soil, a thin layer of crushed concrete aggregate may be distributed to assist in stabilizing the ground and/or prohibiting plant grown. The pre-wired, collapsedframe 10 having threetrusses fourth truss foot member 37 on eachleg assembly 30 is adjusted, if necessary, to compensate for uneven terrain; however, this adjustment need not be completely accurate since variations in the terrain can also be compensated for by auto-calibration of the tracker modules.Armature assemblies 80 are then distributed to eachleg assembly 30, and dropped into place on the mountingend 35 of theleg assembly 30, and fixed in place with a fastener. Thesolar panel armature assembly 80 via theplates 89 and fasteners. The overall height of theframe 10 andarmature assembly 80 is such that cranes or similar equipment are not necessary for installation of thepanels panels solar panel armature assembly 80. - Grounding wires are then attached as necessary, and the
motors frame 10 leading to thelocal control unit 1402. The motor wiring may pass, in part, through theleg assemblies 30 and/or truss assemblies. Thelocal control unit 1402 is mounted on theframe 10 and connected to the wiring already provided on theframe 10. Thelocal control unit 1402 is then connected to the power bus interconnecting theother assemblies 100. Field wiring is provided by pre-cut and terminated bundles of PV-rated cabling containing the PV power bus and the local control unit power/communication bus. The field wiring may lie directly on the ground betweensolar tracker assemblies 100, although in those regions where it may interfere with maintenance paths betweenassemblies 100 it may be desirable to bury the cabling or otherwise protect it. - If air or water hosing is provided within the
frame 10, this hosing is connected to a source. The hosing may be connected to cleaning implements (e.g., a spray gun) and used to clean the trackingsolar module 200 or other components of theassembly 100. - Another configuration of a solar tracker assembly or
unit 2100 is shownFIG. 17 . Theassembly 2100 generally includes a ground-mountedframe 2010 for supporting one or moresolar tracking units 2200, which can include PV tracker modules as described above, or heliostat mirrors. In the example illustrated inFIG. 17 , thesolar tracking units 2200 are shown supporting asolar panel module 2210 with severalsolar panels 2205. Theframe 2010 includes a plurality oftrusses 2012 of substantially equal length. The assembly of thetrusses 2012 yields an overall parallelogrammatic, and in this specific example, a rhombus (or diamond)frame 2010. The sides of theframe 2010 need not employ trusses specifically, although the benefits of the structural stability of a truss design will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. - Each
individual truss 2012 includes anupper chord member 2014 andlower chord member 2016. Thechord members truss members 2017.Trusses 2012 in this example each include a set of fourtruss members 2017. The selection and arrangement of thetruss members 2017 need not be limited to the example shown; depending on the selected dimensions and materials of theframe 2010, more orfewer truss members 2017 may be employed. In addition, one ormore struts 2018 may be mounted between the upper andlower chord members struts 2018 are provided between adjacent trusses and these can be used to support theLCU 2402. - The
trusses 2012 are joined at or near their respective ends atleg assemblies 2030 shown in further detail inFIG. 19A . Across member 2046 attaches the twoleg assemblies Additional truss members 2048 extending from thetrusses 2012 to thecross member 2046, which here is depicted as a chord member that can be manufactured in a similar manner to the chord members and leg assemblies of the frame, and can also be a truss, also add structural support. Eachleg assembly 2030 includes ashaft 2031, and can include anadjustable foot member 2037. Thefoot member 2037 in this example is detachable and includes aplate member 2039 extending from astem 2038. Thestem 2038 is attached to theshaft 2031 of theleg assembly 2030, and in some examples the attachment point of thestem 2038 to theshaft 2031 may be varied so as to permit adjustment of the overall height of theleg assembly 2030, and thus of thesolar tracking units 2200 when mounted thereon. Thestem 2038 andplate member 2039 may have alternate configurations than that described herein. In some examples, a spike member or other attachment component, not shown, for anchoring the leg assembly in the ground and/or electrically grounding theframe 2010 can be provided in addition to or instead ofplate member 2039. A distal end of theleg assembly 2030 provides amounting end 2035 for mounting anarmature assembly 2080 for bearing thesolar tracking module 2200. - The
trusses 2012 andleg assemblies 2030, and their respective components, may be manufactured from any suitable material. For example, the trusses and leg assemblies may be manufactured from galvanized steel or aluminum, and may be manufactured from extruded or drawn metal tubing, whether open or seamed. Further, in some examples, at least theupper chord members 2014 may be provided with an axial borehole or otherwise formed with an interior channel running the length of the chord member, open at either end (not shown), which is conveniently provided when the chord members are manufactured from tubing. Cables, wires and hoses, such as electrical cables and the like, as well as air or water hoses, may be threaded through theupper chord members 2014 and/orlower chord members 2016. Similarly, theleg assembly 2030 may be provided with a similar axial borehole or interior channel. In the examples illustrated herein, theleg assembly 2030 is a tubular member. - Six
brackets 2049 extend from theleg assembly 2030 shown in the example ofFIG. 19A . Each of thebrackets 2049 are provided with boreholes for receivingfasteners 2042. Thelower chord members 2016 are placed on thecorresponding brackets fasteners 2042 are used to join the chord member to its respective bracket. Theupper chord members 2014 are sandwiched between twobrackets fasteners 2042 may also facilitate an electrical connection between the chord member and theleg assembly 2030 via its respective bracket for electrical grounding purposes.Suitable fasteners 2042 may be selected for joining and/or electrically connecting the chord members and brackets, such as the illustrated threaded bolts and washers. The fasteners mentioned herein may, for example, be self-tapping screws or split pins; thus the boreholes in thebrackets 2049 andtrusses 2012 need not be threaded. - It will be appreciated that other means of attaching a
truss 2012 to theleg assembly 2030 may be used; for example, theleg assembly 2030 need not be provided with thebrackets 2049, but instead the upper andlower chords individual brackets 2049, however, also provide support to thechord member - Although as illustrated in
FIG. 19A , thebrackets 2049 are shown fixed in predetermined positions on theshaft 2031 of theleg assembly 2030, in some examples thebrackets 2049 may be mounted on theshaft 2031 at different heights of theshaft 2031. - The
shaft 2031 and theplate member 2039 are provided with additional boreholes. It will be appreciated that providing the additional boreholes permits theleg assembly 2030 to be joined to additional trusses (not shown), and to spacing arms. With reference toFIG. 19B , it is shown that aspacing arm 2304 can be mounted to theleg assembly 2030 by means of mounting features in thespacing arm 2304 provided with boreholes, such as the illustratedfork 2343, fixed to theleg assembly 2030 by fasteners (not shown). With reference toFIG. 19C , it is shown that aspacing arm 2302 can be assembled onto theplate 2039 by means of boreholes and fasteners. One or more of theleg assemblies 2030 can include one ormore ports 2040 positioned at or near a level of theupper chord member 2014 when the latter is mounted to the leg assembly. A singlesuch port 2040 is shown inFIG. 19A .Cables 2054, wires or hoses threaded through thechord member 2014 may extend into afirst port 2040 corresponding to the open end of a firstupper chord member 2014, and pass through theleg assembly 2030 to emerge from a second port corresponding to the open end of the secondupper chord member 2014, through which the cable, wire or hose continues. Alternatively, some cables and wires can be threaded through thechord member 2014 while others are attached to the exterior of thechord member 2014. For example, where thechord member 2014 is electrically grounded, low voltage controls cables can be threaded through thechord member 2014 while high voltage power and controls cables can be run along the exterior of thechord member 2014 in order to electrically isolate them. - In another example, some cables and wires can be attached to one side of the
chord member 2014 while others are attached to the other side of thechord member 2014 such that thechord member 2014 acts as an electrical isolator. In yet another example, cables and wires may be threaded through theleg assembly 2030 and run underground where they can be electrically isolated. Theleg assembly 2030 may also include a separator to isolate high and low voltage cables within theleg assembly 2030. The mountingend 2035 of the leg assembly includes anupper lip 2043 provided withfasteners 2045 for coupling and fastening an armature assembly thereto. In this particular example thefasteners 2045 can be, but are not limited to press fitted wheel studs for fastening an armature by means of nuts. -
FIG. 20 illustrates fourtrusses 2012 of theframe 2010 joined to the fourleg assemblies 2030. In this example, the four trusses are assembled with theleg assemblies 2030 in a collapsed state suitable for transportation. In this configuration, the trusses remain joined, but more easily transportable than when theframe 2010 is completely assembled. This view illustratesbrackets 2049 on theleg assemblies 2030, which are provided for mounting thetrusses 2012. Thebrackets 2049 can be welded onto the leg assembly 2330, or attached by any other means. It can be seen from the collapsed state that the fastening means used to join thetrusses 2012 to theleg assemblies 2030, are advantageously adapted to provide a hinged connection between eachtruss 2012 and theleg assembly 2030 to permit theframe 2010 to be shipped in a partially assembled state. Further, since thetrusses 2012 may carry cables, wires or hoses in their respective upper orlower chords - As shown in
FIG. 21 aframe 2010 can be collapsed by detachingtruss 2012 b fromleg assembly 2030 c and detachingtruss 2012 d fromleg assembly 2030 d. This can be done by removing the fasteners that fasten said trusses to the respective brackets of said leg assemblies. In the cases where the fasteners are screws and bolts, these can simply be removed for shipping and reattached during assembly. As described by the arrows,truss 2012 b rotates towardstruss 2012 a. Then bothtrusses cross bar 2046. Further, trusses 2012 c and 2012 d rotate individually towards the cross member. The result is a collapsed frame as shown inFIG. 20 . - As described previously a rhombus-shaped
tracker assembly 2100 has twoleg assemblies FIGS. 22A and 22B .FIGS. 22A and 22B are two different side views of theframe 2010. Rhombus-shapedtracker assemblies 2100 stagger the position of the solar tracking units mounted thereto to minimize shading-related losses. - Trackers can be interconnected with pre-measured spacing arms to minimize installation time, as well as optimize field layout for minimal tracker-to-tracker shading. A field of
interconnected tracker assemblies 2100 can thus mutually ballast each other. In one example, a field of interconnected tracker assemblies may enable operation in winds up to 35 mph. An example of alignment and positioning is shown inFIG. 23 , which depicts nineframes 2010 in rows as they may be arranged in the field. When deployed in the field,tracker assemblies 2100 are advantageously positioned so that thecross members 2046 are aligned in a north-south direction. It can be seen fromFIG. 23 , and fromFIG. 24C discussed below, that a consequence of such positioning is that adjacent sides of adjacent frames are substantially parallel, taking into account possible variations in terrain. The resultant geometry of the solar tracking units and frames of these examples will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. To maintain spacing between theframes 2010, spacingarms adjacent frames 10. Spacingarms upper chord members 2012 or along the ground. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 23 , spacingarms 2304 can be aligned withupper chord members 2012 and spacingarms 2302 oriented in the north-south direction can be at or near ground level which can allow for people to move more easily between theframes 2010 and, where spacing permits, for vehicles to be driven between theframes 2010. - The interconnection enhances the structural solidity of the
frames 2010 overall, and reduces the need for external ballasting of theframes 2010. The lengths of the spacingarms frames 2010 themselves are selected according to the desired spacing of individualsolar tracking units 2200, which can be based at least in part on the size of the solar panels and/or environmental considerations such as shading and wind speeds, and on manufacturing considerations, for example based on an analysis of the relative component, shipping and land use costs and optimal power production. -
FIGS. 24A-24C further illustrate a possible implementation of a field or farm of rhombus-shapedtracker assemblies 2100.FIG. 24A is an isometric view of anexample tracker assembly 2100 similar to that ofFIG. 17 .FIG. 24B is a side view, of theexample tracker assembly 2100.FIG. 24C is a top view of an example solar farm similar to that shown inFIG. 23 . - As can be seen in
FIG. 24A , in the example shown here, thesolar tracking units 2200 mounted on the frames can accommodatemodules 2205 of standard-sized silicon PVsolar panels 2210. Thesolar panel modules 2205 can be positioned on-sun throughout the day within 2 degrees of precision by a field-proven drive train.FIG. 24C illustrates the relative position of solar tracking units (here, with solar panels mounted on armatures, the latter not being not shown) with respect to one another in an example field of foursolar tracker assemblies 2100 a-2100 d. Circumference c indicates the range of the panel turning radius on an axis of the solar tracking unit. As already described above, structural support and rigidity of eachsolar tracker assembly 2100 a-2100 d can be enhanced by correspondingcross members 2046, indicated inFIG. 24C as 20146 a, 20146 b, and 2046 c insolar tracker assemblies arms FIG. 24C illustrates that frames 2010 a, 2010 b, and 2010 c are interconnected with each other and with other solar tracker assemblies (not shown) withspacing arms FIG. 24C , onespacing arm 2302 can be parallel to thecross members 2046 of theframes 2010, while theother spacing arm 2304 can be parallel with a side of theframes 2010. These spacing arms of predetermined length thus assist in maintaining regular spacing betweenadjacent frames 2010 and accordingly between adjacentsolar tracking units 2100. - In this example, the distance in the north-south direction between leg assemblies, and consequently solar tracking units, is indicated by d1 in
FIG. 24C and is approximately 4.8 m. The distance between leg assemblies in the east-west direction, as indicated by d2, is approximately 8.083 m. It can also be seen inFIG. 24C that the arrangement of these rhombus-shapedframes 2010 a-2010 d results in corresponding pairs of leg assemblies (not shown inFIG. 24C ) spaced by substantially the same distance, taking into account possible variations due to uneven terrain, although as discussed herein the configuration of the solar tracker assemblies can mitigate such variations. For example, the pair ofsolar tracking units solar tracking assembly 2100 a, are spaced by distance d1 along the north-south direction; likewise, the corresponding pair ofsolar tracking units solar tracking assembly 2100 b is spaced by the same distance d1. In addition, it can be seen in the example ofFIG. 24C that the distance in the same direction between corresponding leg assemblies orsolar tracking units solar tracking assemblies FIG. 24C further illustrates that the distance between the remaining pair of solar tracking units or leg assemblies in a given solar tracking assembly (e.g.,solar tracking units assembly 2500 a), indicated as d2, is the same as the distance between corresponding solar tracking units or leg assemblies in adjacent solar tracking assemblies, as can be seen by the distance d2 in the east-west direction betweensolar tracking unit 2202 a ofsolar tracking assembly 2100 a and correspondingsolar tracking unit 2202 b ofsolar tracking assembly 2100 b. -
FIG. 24B shows that this example of a tracker assembly can be 1.554 m in height h1 from the ground to the top of the armature (not shown inFIG. 24B ), and 0.678 m in height h2 from the ground to theupper chord member 2014. In the examples ofFIGS. 24A-24C , the tracking units each holdsolar panels 2210 comprising threesolar panel modules 2205; therefore, in this particular example, twelvesolar panel modules 2205 are supported by eachtracker assembly 2100. Additional specifications for this example implementation of a tracker assembly are as follows: the maximum solar panel area per tracker assembly is 21 m2; the tracker weight is 195 kg; the maximum wind speed in stow position is 120 mph; the maximum operational wind speed is 35 mph; the tracking accuracy is less than 2 degrees; the azimuth control angle is 360 degrees; the elevation control angle is 20-95 degrees; the electrical power requirements are 85-265 V AC, 50 hz or 60 hz for single and split phase respectively; the theoretical nominal power consumption is 35.0 kWh/year; the operational temperature is −20 to 50° C. and the storage temperature is −40 to 85° C. Those skilled in the art will understand that these dimensions are not mandatory; other dimensions and configurations can be used depending on the specific application and may be dependent on the solar panel dimensions or other constraints and conditions. In addition, communication to the individual solar tracking assemblies or units mounted on each leg assembly may be achieved via a power line or USB. As mentioned above, the operator may control the assemblies and units by issuing commands over a network. This can include wireless transmission to the global control unit as well as wireless transmission from the global control unit to the LPUs. Communication between the LPUs and individual solar tracking units may be wireline (e.g. the power line or USB connection mentioned above) rather than wireless. - It can be appreciated from
FIGS. 23 and 24C in particular that a rhombus frame such as that ofFIG. 17 and the following figures, discussed above, makes possible a particular configuration ofsolar tracker assemblies 2100 in the field unlike the rectangular grid arrangement ofFIG. 14 or 16. As can be seen in the example ofFIGS. 23 and 24C , the field comprises a set ofsolar tracker assemblies 2100 arranged such that adjacent sides of adjacentsolar tracker assemblies 2100 are parallel. However, as most clearly seen inFIG. 24C , the result is that the individual solar tracking units, the positions of which are determined by the position of leg assemblies on which the individual solar tracking units are mounted, are arranged in a staggered formation with in substantially equally-spaced rows and columns. - This is further illustrated in
FIG. 25A , which depicts another example of a field of interconnected solar tracker assemblies having an oblique-angled (i.e., non-square) rhombus or diamond frame as generally described above. In this figure the spacingarms arms solar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h are illustrated with in a similar arrangement to the ninesolar tracker assemblies 2100 ofFIG. 23 or 2100 a to 2100 d ofFIG. 24C ; in other words, with all solar tracker assemblies oriented in the same direction, with adjacent sides of each solar tracker assembly (as defined by the sides of that assembly's rhombus frame) being parallel to the immediately adjacent (i.e., nearest neighbour) solar tracker assembly. There may, of course, be more or fewer solar tracker assemblies and solar tracking units than illustrated in these examples. As illustrated, eachsolar tracker assembly 2500 a to 2500 h is provided with four solar tracking units a, b, c, and d. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each assembly need not be provided with a full complement of solar tracking units; a single solar tracking assembly may be provided with between zero and four solar tracking units. The solar tracking units are generally presumed to be collocated with a corresponding leg assembly (not shown inFIG. 25A ), the leg assembly thus defining the position of the solar tracking unit with respect to the other solar tracking units in asingle assembly 2500 a, as well as with respect toother assemblies 2500 b to 2500 h in the field. In the discussion of spacing, orientation and arrangement of solar tracker assemblies herein, references to the position of the leg assembly and the position of the solar tracking unit may be used interchangeably. - As in the case of
FIGS. 23 and 24C , the cross member of each solar tracker assembly may be substantially aligned with the north-south direction indicated as direction D1 (the east-west direction is therefore D2), but as will be discussed below, the physical interrelationship among the set of tracker assemblies does not require orientation in a cardinal direction.FIG. 25A shows an overlay of part of a rectangulargrid having rows 2502 a to 2502 d, aligned to be substantially collinear or parallel with the major diagonals of a set of the solar tracker assemblies, andcolumns 2504 a to 2504 d, which are substantially collinear or parallel with the minor diagonals of a set of the solar tracker assemblies (i.e., substantially collinear with a set of cross members within the entire group of assemblies). Each of these rows and columns contains a set of one or more solar tracking units. Thus, for example,row 2502 b is collinear with the major diagonal (not marked) ofsolar tracker assemblies assemblies Row 2502 d is collinear with the major diagonals ofsolar tracker assemblies assemblies Rows solar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h.Row 2502 a contains two solar tracking units, unit a of bothassemblies Row 2502 c contains four solar tracking units, unit c ofassemblies assemblies Column 2504 a contains four solar tracking units, unit d ofassemblies assemblies Columns - As an aside, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the geometry of a rhombus or diamond shape generally comprises two diagonals, extending between opposing vertices of the rhombus. The lesser diagonal extends between the two closer vertices, while the greater diagonal extends between remaining vertices, which are further apart. Of course, in a square rhombus where the angles defined at each vertex is 90°, the diagonals will be of equal length; however, as illustrated in the accompanying figures and as discussed above, the rhombus frames in these examples are non-square or oblique-angled. As explained above, the
cross members 2046 of each frame connect the leg assemblies that are closer to each other, and are thus substantially aligned with the lesser diagonal. The cross members and lesser diagonals of thesolar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h (or in a field of any number of similarly positioned assemblies) may thus be considered to be more or less collinear or parallel. The length of the cross member may not be the exact length of the lesser diagonal, allowing for the dimensions of the leg assemblies to which the cross member is attached, and any fastening means provided on the cross member or leg assemblies. - Returning to
FIG. 25A , it can be seen that, by virtue of the physical spacing between the frames of adjacentsolar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h and the rhombus (diamond) configuration of the solar tracker assembly frames, adjacent rows and columns of solar tracking units are alternately staggered; thus, assuming that the field is aligned with the cardinal directions as indicated inFIG. 25A , nearest neighbour (by distance between leg assemblies) of a given solar tracking unit is not directly to the north or south; for example, compare unit b ofassembly 2500 a, with nearest neighbours a and c ofassembly 2500 a and unit a ofassembly 2500 c. The next solar tracking unit directly to the south (i.e., in a line substantially parallel with D1 and with a row as defined above) is not the nearest neighbour. - The physical spacing and frame shape is preserved even when the field as a whole is oriented in a different direction.
FIG. 25B illustrates the same field of interconnectedsolar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h, with solar tracking units a, b, c, and d labelled as inFIG. 25A . All assemblies are again in the same orientation with respect to each other and spaced as described above, although in this example the entire field of solar tracker assemblies has been rotated such that a side of each frame is substantially parallel with the direction D1 (which as noted above may be a cardinal direction). Given the parallelogrammatic shape of the frames, each frame of theassemblies 2500 a to 2500 h accordingly has a pair of sides substantially parallel with this direction. Rotation of the field in this manner gives rise to an advantageous field layout, discussed below. The rectangular modules (e.g., solar panels) carried by each solar tracking unit have been rotated inFIG. 25B to have the same alignment with respect to D1 as those modules inFIG. 25A . Once again, it can be seen that in a set ofrows 2506 a to 2506 d andcolumns 2508 a to 2508 d aligned with orthogonal directions D1 and D2, respectively, the field ofassemblies 2500 a to 2500 d yields sets of staggered rows or columns of solar tracking units. Thus, the solar tracking units inrow 2506 a (unit a ofassembly 2500 a, unit d ofassembly 2500 c, and unit a ofassembly 2500 g) are evenly spaced with respect to each other, and staggered with respect to the solar tracking units inrow 2506 b (unit c ofassembly 2500 a, unit b ofassembly 2500 e, and unit c ofassembly 2500 g), which themselves are evenly spaced in their own row. Similarly, the solar tracking units in a given column such as 2508 a (consisting of six a and d units from threedifferent tracker assemblies - It can further be recognized that the layout of solar tracking units in a field arranged as in
FIGS. 23 , 24C, 25A and 25B can be defined according to other schemas. For instance, the staggered spacing of the solar tracking units may be expressed in the form of a diamond grid as illustrated inFIG. 25C , with each solar tracking unit of a given solar tracking assembly occupying a distinct diamond cell within the grid. Thus, as indicated inFIG. 25C , insolar tracker assembly 2500 a, solar tracking units a to d occupy correspondingdiamond cells 2512 a to 2512 d, and insolar tracker assembly 2500 b, solar tracking units a to d occupy correspondingdiamond cells 2514 a to 2514 d. It can be seen that the diamond cells in this configuration tile the area covered by the field ofsolar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h. - An alternate expression is shown in
FIGS. 25D and 25E . These figures illustrate that the same layout of the solar tracking units may be defined by a hexagonal grid layout, where each solar tracking unit occupies a corresponding hexagonal cell, the hexagonal cells tiling the area covered by the field. Thus, the solar tracking units a to d ofsolar assembly 2500 a occupy correspondinghexagonal cells 2522 a to 2522 d, and solar tracking units a to d ofsolar assembly 2500 b occupy correspondinghexagonal cells 2524 a to 2524 d. Each solar tracking unit in the hexagonal grid can have between two and six immediate neighbours (i.e., separated by the shortest distance). Unit b ofsolar tracker assembly 2500 d has only two neighbours, units a and c of thesame assembly 2500 d; unit a ofassembly 2500 f has six neighbours, including b, c, and d of itsown assembly 2500 f, as well as unit b ofassembly 2500 c, unit c ofassembly 2500 b, and unit d ofassembly 2500 d. - The hexagonal grid schema gives rise to a further definition of the layout, illustrated in
FIG. 25E . It can be seen that the hexagonal grid can be subdivided into sets of adjacent, contiguous cells or clusters, each comprising a central cell (e.g., the cell containing unit d ofassembly 2500 c) and six immediately adjacent cells (e.g., units b and c ofassembly 2500 a, units a and c ofassembly 2500 c, and units a and b ofassembly 2500 e). Some such clusters may be complete clusters of seven cells, as in the case ofclusters clusters - As mentioned above, rotation of the field of solar tracker assemblies from the orientation shown in
FIG. 25A can result in an advantageous field layout. One such layout is illustrated inFIG. 26A . This figure illustrates an example field of eightsolar tracker assemblies 2600 a to 2600 h, each having the same orientation, in this case each frame having a pair of sides substantially parallel to a first direction D1. This pair of sides includesside 2612 b on each frame. The remaining sides of each frame, which includesides 2612 a, are of course parallel to one another within each frame, and are also parallel to the corresponding sides of each other frame in the field. Again, D1 may be a cardinal direction, such as north or south, and the other direction D2, perpendicular to D1, can be east or west. The tracker assemblies are notionally arranged into a set of parallel columns or rows: here, four columns (assemblies assemblies assemblies assemblies assemblies 2600 a to 2600 d, andassemblies 2600 e to 2600 h). These columns are thus parallel with the sides of the frames that are substantially parallel with D1. - Because the
tracker assemblies 2600 a to 2600 h are arranged with a side parallel to the first direction D1, the entire field of tracking units and tracker assemblies defines a generally rectangular area, with sides parallel to D1 and D2. Arranging the field in this manner provides for efficient usage of the land available for erecting a farm of solar tracking assemblies, which is often divided into parcels having boundary lines and access roads running north-south. - As set out earlier, the individual frames may be interconnected with spacing arms. In the example of
FIG. 26A , spacingarms 2602 connect adjacent frames within a given column and are substantially collinear (and consequently substantially parallel) with a first side of each frame in the column. The spacingarms 2602 in other columns are likewise collinear and parallel with the corresponding side of their respective frames, here marked asside 2612 b. These spacing arms define the spacing between the frames, and consequently between the solar tracking units of adjacent frames, within a given column, in the first direction D1. - The spacing of adjacent columns is controlled by a second set of spacing
arms 2604, which here are shown as substantially collinear and parallel with thecross members 2646 of eachassembly 2600 a to 2600 h. Thesecross members 2646, as discussed above, may be aligned with the lesser diagonal of each rhombus frame. The second set of spacing arms is accordingly not parallel with a side of the frames. - The arrangement of
FIG. 26A differs from that ofFIG. 25A in that not only are thesolar tracker assemblies 2500 a to 2500 h ofFIG. 25A staggered, but the solar tracking units a, b, c, d are, likewise; but inFIG. 26A , thesolar tracker assemblies 2600 a to 2600 h are not staggered, but the solar tracking units a, b, c, d are still staggered. The arrangement ofFIG. 26A thus yields the staggered layout of solar tracking units, but accomplishes this with aligned columns and rows of solar tracking assemblies, rather than with a staggered arrangement. The staggered arrangement of solar tracking units is illustrated inFIG. 26B in a manner similar to that ofFIGS. 25A and 25B , with rows of solar tracking units 2562 a, 2562 b, 2562 c, and 2562 d parallel to direction D2, and columns ofsolar tracking units 2654 a to 2654 d parallel to direction D1. It will be easily appreciated from the drawing that the arrangement of solar tracking units remains staggered, by comparing the arrangement of units in adjacent rows or columns to one another. - The staggered arrangement of solar tracking units can, again, be defined in terms of the hexagonal grid and the cellular clusters discussed in connection with
FIGS. 25D and 25F . As shown inFIG. 26C , a first cluster ofhexagonal cells 2626 a contains solar tracking unit c ofsolar tracker assembly 2600 a at its center, surrounded by adjacent cells containing units b and d ofsolar tracker assembly 2600 a, unit d ofassembly 2600 b, units a and b ofassembly 2600 e, and unit a ofassembly 2600 f. This first cluster accordingly comprises solar tracking units from four different solar tracker assemblies and four different adjacent frames; consequently, this first cluster includes solar tracking units controlled by four different LCUs. Solar tracking unit c ofsolar tracker assembly 2600 a has six neighbouring solar tracking units; other units may have fewer neighbouring units, such as unit a ofsolar tracker assembly 2600 a, which has only two.FIG. 26C includes another completecellular cluster 2626 b;other clusters - An alternative layout of solar tracking units and solar tracker assemblies, which also provides the substantially rectangular field, is shown in
FIG. 27A . Like the arrangement ofFIG. 26A , all frames of thesolar tracking assemblies 2700 a to 2700 h have a pair of sides, includingsides 2712 a indicated in the drawing, that is substantially parallel to the first direction D1. The remaining pair of sides in each frame remains parallel to each other, within each frame; however, alternating columns of frames comprise sets of solar tracker assemblies of opposite orientations, so these sides are not all parallel to each other within the entire field.Sides 2712 b, indicated inFIG. 27A for each solar tracker assembly, has different orientations according to the column in which the assembly is located. - Again, the tracker assemblies are notionally arranged into sets of parallel columns. In this example, there are four columns (
solar tracker assemblies assemblies assemblies assemblies cross member 2746 ofsolar tracker assembly 2700 a is aligned along a west-northwest to east-southeast direction, while thecross member 2746 ofsolar tracker assembly 2700 b, in an adjacent column, is assigned in an east-northeast to west-southwest direction. The precise heading of these directions will depend on the specific frame geometry employed in the field. The effect is that not everycross member 2746, or everyside 2712 b of all frames in the field, will be parallel. - The individual frames of each assembly may be interconnected with spacing arms. As with the example of
FIG. 26A , spacingarms assemblies arms 2702 a are substantially collinear withsides 2712 a, and are consequently parallel with direction D1. However, in the example ofFIG. 27A , for the remaining columns of assemblies (2700 b, 2700 f; 2700 d, 2700 h) spacingarms 2702 b, which are parallel with direction D1 as well, are not collinear with the correspondingsides 2712 a of the frames to which they are attached, but are rather collinear with the opposite side to 2712 a. Spacingarms 2702 b could alternatively be attached to the frames of those columns so as to be collinear withsides 2712 a. - The spacing of adjacent columns is controlled by a second set of spacing
arms arms 2704 a are collinear withsides 2712 b of the solar tracker assemblies of the first and third columns; spacingarms 2704 b are collinear with thecross members 2746 of the solar tracker assemblies of the second and fourth columns. In this example, the result is that all spacingarms arms 2704 b may be aligned in an opposing direction (e.g., between unit b ofassembly 2700 b, and unit d ofassembly 2700 c). - As with the example of
FIG. 26A , the solar tracking units a, b, c, d of all of the solar tracker assemblies in the field are staggered, while still providing aligned columns of solar tracker assemblies and generally aligned rows of solar tracker assemblies, that fit within a generally rectangular area. The staggered arrangement of solar tracking units can, as before, be defined in terms of a hexagonal grid and cellular clusters.FIG. 27B illustrates a parceling of hexagonal cells intoclusters 2726 a to 2726 d.Complete clusters solar tracker assembly 2700 a, and unit d ofsolar tracker assembly 2700 c) have six neighbours, while others, such as unit d ofassembly 2700 f has only four.Clusters FIG. 27C illustrates an alternate set ofclusters 2728 a to 2728 d, wherecluster 2728 a includes solar tracking units from four different solar tracker assemblies. - As those skilled in the art will appreciate, shading from adjacent solar panels is a concern when multiple solar tracking units are erected in proximity to one another. Particularly at the beginning and end of daylight, the angle of incident sunlight on a PV panel may cause the PV panel to cast a shadow on one or more adjacent panels, thus reducing the adjacent panels' performance. In some solutions, a backtracking algorithm is employed to compute optimum angles—which may be different—for each PV panel within a field in order to minimize shading. Backtracking, and other optimization solutions, are used to remedy the defects that arise in solar farms after deployment, whether these defects arise due to issues such as shading, environmental conditions, installation errors, or manufacturing defects within the PV modules themselves. The shading issue, in particular, is one that arises due to the physical arrangement and spacing of solar tracking units in the field. On the one hand, one might consider that an increase in the number of solar tracking units in the field will improve the yield of the entire field; on the other hand, when available space for erecting the field of solar tracking units is constrained, extra solar tracking units may only be accommodated by moving the existing units closer together, which increases the potential for a loss of efficiency and overall performance due to shading.
- The hexagonal grid arrangement of solar tracking units illustrated in the foregoing drawings has been found to provide improved performance over the rectangular or square grid arrangement otherwise possible using the same sets of frame sides or trusses, by reducing the incidence of shading between adjacent solar panels. Table 1, below, sets out modelled data on a month-by-month basis for a hexagonal grid and rectangular grid system comprising an identical number of solar tracking units, each equipped with a 2.99×1.67 meter PV panel with 15.48% efficiency at a latitude of 34.73° N. The rectangular model was based on an arrangement of sixteen solar tracker assemblies with four solar tracking units apiece in a 4×4 rectangular grid, with solar tracking units separated by 4.1 meters in the east-west direction, and 4.7 m in the north-south direction. The hexagonal model was based on an arrangement of the sixteen solar tracking assemblies arranged as in
FIG. 26A , again with separation of units by 4.1 meters in the east-west direction and 4.7 m in the north-south direction. Table 1 provides the calculated yield in kWh for the hexagonal and rectangular grid models, based on the average output of the solar panel mounted at or near the center of the entire grid, and taking into account shading effects due to other panels in the grid. As can be seen in Table 1, the hexagonal grid arrangement yielded improved performance during most months of the year, and overall about a 3% improvement over the rectangular grid arrangement. -
TABLE 1 Month Hexagonal Rectangular % Difference January 107.9 102.4 5.37 February 121.6 113.2 7.42 March 162.7 154.2 5.51 April 181.9 178.4 1.96 May 203.1 203.8 −0.34 June 202.7 205.7 −1.46 July 207 208.3 −0.62 August 194.5 192.8 0.88 September 167.4 161.1 3.91 October 145.9 135.9 7.36 November 111.6 105.4 5.88 December 101.1 96.3 4.98 - Table 2, below, compares the performance of the hexagonal and rectangular grid arrangements by latitude over a year. The hexagonal arrangement resulted in an increase in power output of about 2-4% per year over the rectangular arrangement, depending on the latitude of the field.
-
TABLE 2 Latitude Hexagonal Rectangular % Difference 0 2145.8 2091.4 2.60 10 2128.7 2059.7 3.35 20 2075.8 2014 3.07 30 1976.6 1917.4 3.09 34.7 1907.7 1857.1 2.72 40 1816 1776 2.25 50 1589.7 1558.5 2.00 60 1332.5 1303.4 2.23 70 1135.2 1094.2 3.75 - The arrangement of solar tracking units in a hexagonal arrangement as described above thus provides some relief from the effect of interfering shading from nearby units. In cases where a prefabricated system such as the frame assembly described herein is employed and/or where available land for erecting a solar farm is available, the ability to arrange the assemblies as described herein provides an advantage over the prior art. As can be seen from the examples described above, a rhombus frame configuration can be obtained from the same trusses or sides used to construct a square frame, and the predetermined lengths of the frame sides, cross members, and spacing arms provides for efficient and relatively quick assembly in the field. In a further variation, discussed in greater detail below, the cross member of the solar tracker assembly can be adjustable in length, providing for flexibility in layout when the solar tracker assembly is deployed in the field.
- In addition to physical interconnection of
frames 2010 of thesolar tracker assemblies 2100 for the purpose of enhancing stability, the individualsolar tracking units 2200 are interconnected within a singlesolar tracker assembly 2100. This is illustrated in relation to the rhombus frame ofFIG. 18 . A local control unit 2402 (LCU) can be provided on eachassembly 2100 to control allsolar units 2200 provided on asingle frame 2010. Alternatively, asingle LCU 2402 can be used to control thesolar tracking units 2200 on several frames (not shown). For example, a cluster offrames 2010 could be positioned and arranged such that anLCU 2402 is mounted only to asingle frame 2010 of the cluster and theother frames 2010 do not have local control units mounted thereto. Wires can be run from thesingle LCU 2402 to each of thesolar tracking units 2200 on the frames of the cluster. Within a givenframe 2010 having foursolar tracking units 2200, pairs of theunits 2200 may be connected in series with one another, and these pairs connected in parallel with one another, thus permitting increased voltage to reduce power losses in interconnecting wires. Each pair ofunits 2200 can be provided with a current and/or voltage sensor (not shown) in communication with theLCU 2402. In some examples, individualsolar tracking units 2200 on a single frame are independently controllable and eachsolar tracking unit 2200 can be provided with a current and/or voltage sensor. TheLCU 2402 can use a die cast aluminium enclosure that serves as a heat sink. The electrical system and communication oftracker assembly 2100 is generally similar to the diagram ofFIG. 15 , and any elements not described in relation to this embodiment can be found in the description of the embodiments above. - In the example illustrated in
FIGS. 17 and 18 ,armatures 2080 and thesolar tracking units 2200 are mounted on a mountingend 2035 of theleg assemblies 2030. Thesolar tracking unit 2200 includes anarmature assembly 2080, shown inFIG. 28 . A solar panel may be mounted on each of thearmature assemblies 2080. Eachsolar tracking unit 2200 can also be provided with a sun position sensor (not shown) for use in computerized calibration to ensure that sunlight is normally incident on the surface of the solar panel, and to compensate for the vagaries of the field installation such as uneven terrain affecting the pitch of a givenunit 2200, and other issues such as manufacturing errors in the manufacture of thesolar panel 2210 or its components, differences between the actual sun position and expected sun position, and the like. - The
armature assembly 2080 includes ashaft 2082 including alip 2098 provided with boreholes that match the fasteners (for example press fitted studs) 2045 described inFIG. 19A . The orientation of theshaft 2082 with regards to theleg assembly 2030 can be determined by thefasteners 2054 and boreholes, as these can only be matched in a predetermined orientation, such that thesolar tracking units 2200 are always properly aligned. During assembly,cables 2099 running through theshaft 2080 are connected to cables in theleg assembly 2030, before fixing thearmature 2080 on the leg assembly. Once the cables have been properly connected, the boreholes of thelip 2098 can be matched tofasteners 2045 of theupper lip 2043 and then they can be secured by means of a bolt or any other fastening means. - The armature assembly includes a
yoke 2084 provided with ayoke mount 2079, acrosspiece 2085 extending from theyoke mount 2079, and first andsecond arms 2086 extending from thecrosspiece 2085. In the configuration shown inFIG. 28 , thearms 2086 extend substantially perpendicularly from thecrosspiece 2085 and are substantially parallel to theyoke mount 2079 and to each other, although in other configurations their relative position with respect to thecrosspiece 2085 and theyoke mount 2079 may vary according to the design of the solar panel mounted on thearmature assembly 2080. In this embodiment no gusset is required. Theyoke mount 2079 extends through and is fixed to the center ofcrosspiece 2085. Theyoke mount 2079, thecrosspiece 2085 and thearms 2086 may be manufactured as individual components welded together to form theyoke 2084. Alternatively, theyoke 2084 may be integrally formed as a single part by die casting. - A bearing or bushing, may be provided within the
yoke mount 2079 to facilitate rotation of theyoke 2084 aboutshaft 2082. A first drive system for controlling yaw movement of thesolar tracking unit 2200 includes afirst gear wheel 2090 fixed to theshaft 2082, and therefore stationary relative to theframe 2010. Asecond gear wheel 2091 in engagement with thefirst gear wheel 2090 is also provided on thecrosspiece 2085, extending from the same face of thecrosspiece 2085 as thefirst gear wheel 2090. Thesecond gear wheel 2091 is fixed relative to theyoke 2084. In the example ofFIG. 28 , the first andsecond gear wheels yoke 2084, i.e., between thearms 2086. A first drive assembly including a motor andgearbox 2092 is provided for thesecond gear wheel 2091 for controlling rotation of thesecond gear wheel 2091 to cause theyoke 2084 to rotate around the fixedfirst gear wheel 2090 and theshaft 2082. An example of a suitable drive assembly includes a weatherproof and durable stepper motor having an output shaft connected to a sealed gearbox that has an output shaft with a pinion gear (the second gear wheel 2091). The pinion gear (the second gear wheel 2091) can therefore provide higher torque than the stepper motor, the increase in torque depending on the gear ratios of the gears contained inside the sealed gearbox. The pinion gear connected to the output shaft of the sealed gearbox engages thefirst gear wheel 2090 and can operate in an unsealed environment. The first drive system thus provides for rotation of theyoke 2084 up to 360 degrees (or greater) in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. In use, thearmature assembly 2080 may be enclosed in a weatherproof cover (not shown) to protect the drive systems from ice, rain, sand, etc. - An
axle 2088 is mounted onconcave portions 2087 provided near the ends of the twoarms 2086. Again, appropriate bearings orbushings 2081 may be provided, for example bushings manufactured by Igus GmbH. Each end of theaxle 2088 terminates in aplate 2089 for mounting to an underside of a solar panel. The precise configuration of theplates 2089 will depend on the attachment means used to mount the solar panel to thearmature assembly 2080; in this case, grooves are provided in the perimeter of theplate 2089 to receive fasteners to join thearmature assembly 2080 to the solar panel. A second drive system controlling pitch of thesolar tracking unit 2200 is provided on theyoke 2084 andaxle 2088; afirst gear wheel 2095 is mounted on theaxle 2088, and asecond gear wheel 2096 in engagement with thefirst gear wheel 2095 is mounted on theyoke 2084. In this example, thefirst gear wheel 2095 is a circular sector wheel rather than a full circle like thegear wheel 2090. Since yaw over a wider range (i.e., over 180 degrees) may be provided by the first drive assembly comprising thegear wheels solar tracking unit 2200 over a range of 95-150 degrees is likely sufficient. In other examples, thegear wheel 2095 may be a semicircular shape rather than a quarter-wheel; depending on the proximity of the solar panel to theaxle 2088, it may not be possible to provide a full-circular gear wheel on theaxle 2088. Thesecond gear wheel 2096 is controlled by a further drive system including a motor and gearbox 2097, also mounted on theyoke 2084. An example of a suitable drive assembly includes a weatherproof and durable stepper motor having an output shaft connected to a sealed gearbox that has an output shaft with a pinion gear (the second gear wheel 2096). The pinion gear (the second gear wheel 2096) can therefore provide higher torque than the stepper motor, the increase in torque depending on the gear ratios of the gears contained inside the sealed gearbox. The pinion gear connected to the output shaft of the sealed gearbox engages thefirst gear wheel 2095 and can operate in an unsealed environment. In the example ofFIG. 28 , the motor 2097 andsecond gear wheel 2096 are mounted on thearm 2086 proximate to thegear wheel 2095. - In
FIG. 28 , spur gears are illustrated; however, other types of gears may be employed as well to provide motion in the two substantially orthogonal planes perpendicular to theshaft 2082 andaxle 2088. Tension springs, not shown, may be provided to ensure engagement between the teeth of thegears motors 2092 and 2097 are controllable using a local control unit described below. - The solar panel mounted to the
armature assembly 2080 may take any suitable shape. For example, the solar panel can include one or more flat plate solar panel modules made of semiconductors such as silicon, gallium arsenide, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium arsenide or can be a concentrated solar panel employing concentrating optics, or heliostat mirrors. In the case of concentrated solar panels, the solar panels include individual optical modules comprising PV cells. The optical modules may or may not include integrated electronics such as power efficiency optimizers and the like. Optics provided with the individual optical modules may include multiple-component optics. The individual optical modules may be combined in series in strings of optical modules, which in turn may be connected in parallel with other strings to yield an array of optical modules. One or more strings of optical modules can be arranged in a plane to form a solar panel module. - As mentioned above, the
cross members 2046 of the solar tracking assemblies may be adjustable in length. This permits the frames of the solar tracker assemblies to be deployed with different spacing between the leg assemblies. An example implementation of an adjustable-length cross member 2946 is illustrated inFIGS. 29A to 29C .FIG. 29A shows thecross member 2946 mounted in a frame assembly similar to that shown inFIGS. 18 , 18 and 21. In this example, thecross member 2946 is a simple chord assembly formed of suitable material, such as extruded or drawn metal. The length adjustability of thecross member 2946 in this example is provided by a telescoping configuration from twonesting chord members FIGS. 29A and 29B , thefirst chord member 2950 in this example is conveniently shaped as a channel beam or C-bar having twosidewalls 2952 depending from aplate 2953, thus defining a channel with anopen end 2954 for receiving thesecond chord member 2960. The channel is sized to receive thesecond chord member 2960, which in this example is a rectangular beam. The combined length of the first andsecond chord members cross member 2946. - The
first chord member 2950 is provided withboreholes 2955 nearer the receiving (open)end 2954. These bore holes can be spaced by increments which can be used to define different finished lengths for thecross member 2954, e.g., every 10 or 15 cm. Thesecond chord member 2960 is provided withcorresponding boreholes 2965 nearer anengagement end 2964, which engages the receivingend 2954 of thefirst chord member 2950. Theengagement end 2964 of thesecond chord member 2960 is accordingly inserted into the receivingend 2954 of thefirst chord member 2950 until the total length of the twomembers boreholes members boreholes 2965 are advantageously spaced by the same increments as theboreholes 2955 so that when the twomembers members second chord members - The
cross member 2946 can be fixed to opposingleg assemblies 2030 much in the same manner described with reference toFIGS. 19A to 19C . However, since the overall length of the cross member may vary, the angles of therhombus frame 2010 will likewise vary. The brackets or other means used to attach thetrusses 2012 forming the sides of theframe 2010 are therefore adapted to accommodate changes in the attachment angle.FIG. 29C illustrates brackets 2970 which are similar to thosebrackets 2049 described above with reference toFIG. 19A , but are wider to accommodate different positions of thetruss 2012. As can be seen inFIG. 29C , anupper bracket 2970 a is provided with at least onecurved slot 2972, sized to receive the bolt or other fastener used to attach thetruss 2012 to theleg assembly 2030. Thetruss 2012 can therefore be inserted between theupper bracket 2970 a and alower bracket 2970 b at the desired angle, and positioned so that a borehole on thetruss 2012 registers with theslot 2972. The fastener 2974 can then be inserted in the aligned slot and borehole. Alternatively, a number of boreholes, rather than a single slot, may be provided in theupper bracket 2970 a, or else a number of straight slots extending radially along the bracket, to allow for flexibility in positioning thetruss 2012 at theleg assembly 2010. - Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A field of interconnected solar tracking units, the field comprising:
a plurality of solar tracking units arranged in a hexagonal grid arrangement, each solar tracking unit of the plurality of solar tracking units having between two and six neighboring solar tracking units,
wherein movement of each solar tracking unit of the plurality of solar tracking units in relation to at least one axis of said solar tracking unit is controlled by a local control unit, each local control unit controlling up to four solar tracking units of the plurality of solar tracking units, said up to four solar tracking units being mounted on a single oblique-angled, rhombus frame associated with said local control unit.
2. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 2 , the field thus comprising a plurality of frames, each frame comprising four leg assemblies connected by sides of substantially equal length, the leg assemblies being adapted for mounting a corresponding solar tracking unit, the frame comprising a greater diagonal defined by a distance between two of the four leg assemblies separated by a greater distance and a lesser diagonal defined by a distance between a remaining two of the four leg assemblies separated by a lesser distance.
3. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 3 , each frame of the plurality of frames being interconnected by at least one spacing arm of predetermined length to an adjacent frame, the at least one spacing arm thus maintaining a regular spacing among the plurality of solar tracking units to provide the hexagonal grid arrangement.
4. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 3 , wherein adjacent sides of adjacent pairs of frames are substantially parallel.
5. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 4 , each frame comprising a pair of sides substantially parallel to a cardinal direction.
6. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 5 , wherein at least some of the spacing arms are substantially parallel to the cardinal direction.
7. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 6 , wherein others of the spacing arms are substantially parallel to either the lesser diagonal of a frame to which the spacing arm is attached, or to a side of the frame to which the spacing arm is attached other than a side of the pair of sides substantially parallel to the cardinal direction.
8. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 7 , wherein each of the frames is in substantially a same orientation.
9. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of frames is arranged in alternating parallel columns of frames in opposing orientations, the frames within each column being arranged in substantially a same orientation and having a pair of sides substantially parallel to the column.
10. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 7 , wherein the others of the spacing arms interconnected adjacent columns of frames, and comprise both spacing arms parallel to the lesser diagonal of the frame to which the spacing arm is attached, and spacing arms parallel to the side of the frame to which the spacing arm is attached other than a side of the pair of sides substantially parallel to the cardinal direction.
11. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 1 , wherein the one or more solar tracking units comprise either one or more heliostat mirrors or one or more photovoltaic modules.
12. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 1 , wherein the local control unit is configured to control movement of the up to four solar tracking units in relation to two axes.
13. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 1 , wherein each frame is associated with a distinct local control unit, the field of interconnected solar tracking units further comprising a global control unit in communication with each distinct local control unit, the global control unit being adapted to issue instructions controlling each local control unit.
14. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 3 , each frame further comprising a cross member of a defined length extending substantially along the lesser diagonal and being fixed to each of the two leg assemblies separated by the lesser distance.
15. The field of interconnected solar tracking units of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of solar tracking units mounted on the plurality of frames thus interconnected are mutually ballasted.
16. A field of interconnected solar tracking assemblies, the field comprising:
a plurality of solar tracker assemblies with a plurality of solar tracking units mounted thereon, each solar tracker assembly comprising:
an oblique-angled, rhombus frame comprising four leg assemblies interconnected by sides of substantially equal length; and
one or more solar tracking units of the plurality of solar tracking units mounted on one or more of the four leg assemblies, movement of the one or more solar tracking units in relation to at least one axis being controlled by a local control unit associated with the solar tracker assembly,
the plurality of solar tracker assemblies being arranged such that the plurality of solar tracking units mounted thereon define a substantially hexagonal cellular arrangement comprising a plurality of at least two adjacent clusters of cells of the cellular arrangement, each cluster comprising a central cell surrounded by six immediately adjacent cells, each of said clusters comprising solar tracking units controlled by at least three different local control units.
17. The field of interconnected solar tracking assemblies of claim 16 , wherein at least one of said clusters comprises six solar tracking units controlled by four different local control units.
18. The field of interconnected solar tracking assemblies of claim 17 , wherein frames of adjacent solar tracker assemblies of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies are interconnected by spacing arms of predetermined length, the spacing arms thus maintaining spacing for the substantially hexagonal cellular arrangement;
all of the frames having substantially the same orientation and having a greater diagonal and a lesser diagonal, all of the frames being arranged in columns along a first direction, at least some of the spacing arms being substantially collinear with the lesser diagonal of a frame to which the spacing arm is connected, and others of the spacing arms being substantially collinear with a side of each frame to which the spacing arm is connected, said side extending substantially parallel to the first direction.
19. The field of interconnected solar tracking assemblies of claim 17 , wherein frames of adjacent solar tracker assemblies of the plurality of solar tracker assemblies are interconnected by spacing arms of predetermined length, the spacing arms thus maintaining spacing for the substantially hexagonal cellular arrangement, all of the frames having a greater diagonal and a lesser diagonal;
the plurality of solar tracker assemblies being arranged in columns along a first direction, a first set of columns comprising a set of solar tracker assemblies arranged in a first orientation, the first set of columns being interleaved with a second set of columns comprising a set of solar tracker assemblies arranged in a second orientation different from the first orientation,
at least some of the spacing arms being substantially collinear with a side of a frame to which the spacing arm is connected, at least some of said sides extending substantially parallel to the first direction, and others of the spacing arms being substantially collinear with the lesser diagonal of a frame to which the spacing arm is connected.
20. The field of claim 18 , wherein the first direction is a north-south direction.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/018,865 US20140150774A1 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2013-09-05 | Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261732044P | 2012-11-30 | 2012-11-30 | |
US14/018,865 US20140150774A1 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2013-09-05 | Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140150774A1 true US20140150774A1 (en) | 2014-06-05 |
Family
ID=50824197
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/018,841 Abandoned US20140150845A1 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2013-09-05 | Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof |
US14/018,865 Abandoned US20140150774A1 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2013-09-05 | Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/018,841 Abandoned US20140150845A1 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2013-09-05 | Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20140150845A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150083112A1 (en) * | 2013-09-20 | 2015-03-26 | Esolar | Heliostat drive-structure mechanical interface |
US20150292773A1 (en) * | 2012-11-09 | 2015-10-15 | Stellenbosch University | Support structure for multiple heliostats |
US9477065B1 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2016-10-25 | Edisun Microgrids, Inc. | Heliostat array |
US20160370032A1 (en) * | 2014-07-22 | 2016-12-22 | Esolar Inc. | Variable Density Heliostat Field Layout |
US20220057112A1 (en) * | 2018-12-04 | 2022-02-24 | Vast Solar Pty Ltd | A heliostat sub-assembly |
WO2022174235A1 (en) * | 2021-02-09 | 2022-08-18 | Array Technologies, Inc. | Geared drive system providing intermittent motion |
US20230078507A1 (en) * | 2021-09-14 | 2023-03-16 | Array Technologies, Inc. | Multi-phase backtracking of photovoltaic modules |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9759453B1 (en) * | 2012-12-21 | 2017-09-12 | Esolar, Inc. | Densely packed solar concentrator structure |
AU2016202007B2 (en) * | 2015-04-07 | 2020-07-09 | Stellenbosch University | Frame supported height adjustable pylon |
AU2016202006B2 (en) * | 2015-04-07 | 2020-05-21 | Stellenbosch University | Supporting frame assembly |
EP4152599A1 (en) * | 2021-09-21 | 2023-03-22 | IDEEMATEC Deutschland GmbH | Tracking device for solar panels |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2009072075A2 (en) * | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-11 | Solaredge Technologies Ltd. | Photovoltaic system power tracking method |
US20110232715A1 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-29 | Sunpower Corporation | Minimally penetrating photovoltaic assembly for use with a sloped roof and related methods |
CN103370582A (en) * | 2010-11-24 | 2013-10-23 | 威廉·J·帝维利尔 | Solar collector positioning apparatus |
-
2013
- 2013-09-05 US US14/018,841 patent/US20140150845A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2013-09-05 US US14/018,865 patent/US20140150774A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20150292773A1 (en) * | 2012-11-09 | 2015-10-15 | Stellenbosch University | Support structure for multiple heliostats |
US9759452B2 (en) * | 2012-11-09 | 2017-09-12 | Stellenbosch University | Support structure for multiple heliostats |
US20150083112A1 (en) * | 2013-09-20 | 2015-03-26 | Esolar | Heliostat drive-structure mechanical interface |
US20160370032A1 (en) * | 2014-07-22 | 2016-12-22 | Esolar Inc. | Variable Density Heliostat Field Layout |
US9477065B1 (en) * | 2014-12-05 | 2016-10-25 | Edisun Microgrids, Inc. | Heliostat array |
US20220057112A1 (en) * | 2018-12-04 | 2022-02-24 | Vast Solar Pty Ltd | A heliostat sub-assembly |
WO2022174235A1 (en) * | 2021-02-09 | 2022-08-18 | Array Technologies, Inc. | Geared drive system providing intermittent motion |
US11711052B2 (en) | 2021-02-09 | 2023-07-25 | Array Technologies, Inc. | Geared drive system providing intermittent motion |
US20230078507A1 (en) * | 2021-09-14 | 2023-03-16 | Array Technologies, Inc. | Multi-phase backtracking of photovoltaic modules |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20140150845A1 (en) | 2014-06-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9960730B2 (en) | Self-ballasted apparatus for solar tracking | |
US20140150774A1 (en) | Solar tracking apparatus and field arrangements thereof | |
JP5404431B2 (en) | Stackable tracking solar collector assembly | |
AU2014213748B2 (en) | Tracking photovoltaic solar system, and methods for installing or for using such tracking photovoltaic solar system | |
US9027545B2 (en) | Solar collector positioning apparatus | |
US6563040B2 (en) | Structure for supporting a photovoltaic module in a solar energy collection system | |
US20090032090A1 (en) | Method for assembling a terrestrial solar array including a rigid support frame | |
US20110290306A1 (en) | Solar array configurations | |
US9134045B2 (en) | Modular solar support assembly | |
US20130092215A1 (en) | Panel mounting system | |
US20160099673A1 (en) | Solar panel system with monocoque supporting structure | |
US10020772B1 (en) | Portable solar array | |
US20160329858A1 (en) | Solar Module Installation System and Method | |
US20210211096A1 (en) | Advanced solar pv system with robotic assembly | |
JP2015505232A (en) | Low wind resistance self-ballasted photovoltaic module mounting system | |
JP2001295751A (en) | Natural energy based power generating structure comprising wind power generating device integrated with solar power generating device | |
US11585111B2 (en) | Solar carport | |
KR102079713B1 (en) | A hybrid apparatus for generating wind power and sola power established to arable land | |
TWI493148B (en) | Solar collector positioning apparatus | |
KR101361748B1 (en) | Photovoltaic module fixation system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MORGAN SOLAR INC., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHANG, PHILIP M.;SINGH, JAYIESH;LI, SANDY;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:032211/0386 Effective date: 20140205 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MORGAN INNOVATION INC., ONTARIO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MORGAN SOLAR INC.;REEL/FRAME:058864/0960 Effective date: 20160321 |