Abstract

A coupling system for use with a solar tracker includes a support flange, a swivel flange rotatably supported on the support flange, an articulation joint interposed between each of the support flange and the swivel flange and rotatably supported by each of the support flange and the swivel flange, wherein opposed first and second end portions of the articulation joint are configured to be operably coupled to a respective first and second torque tube, and at least one locking fastener selectively coupled to a portion of the support flange and a portion of the swivel flange, the at least one locking fastener configured to selectively inhibit rotation of the swivel flange relative to the support flange.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 30/455 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with horizontal primary axis
• F24S 30/458 - Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with two rotation axes with inclined primary axis

Abstract

A docking station for use with a solar tracking system includes a frame configured to selectively support solar cleaning equipment thereon and a mounting bracket operably coupled to a portion of the frame. The mounting bracket maintains a gap between adjacent edges of the frame and an adjacent solar module, and the frame includes a width that approximates a width of the solar module.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/10 - Cleaning arrangements
• H02S 20/30 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• F24S 25/67 - Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for coupling adjacent modules or their peripheral frames
• A47L 11/38 - Machines, specially adapted for cleaning walls, ceilings, roofs, or the like

Abstract

A method of controlling a solar array including receiving current and voltage data from a plurality of solar modules of the solar array, calculating a diffuse fraction irradiance for the plurality of solar modules, mapping the diffuse fraction irradiance for the plurality of solar modules, generating a digital image of light conditions in the solar array based on the mapped diffuse fraction irradiance, defining zones within the array based on the light conditions in the digital image, determining a zone-specific solar tracker angle for each zone based on mapped diffuse fraction irradiance, transmitting the zone-specific solar tracker angle to a computing device associated with each solar tracker in the solar array, and driving the solar trackers of each zone such that the solar trackers that make up each zone are oriented to substantially the same angle.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 50/20 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking

Abstract

A clamp assembly for use with a solar module includes a first clamping arm operably coupled to a first portion of a solar module, a second clamping arm operably coupled to a second portion of the solar module and operably coupled to the first clamping arm and disposed in juxtaposed relation thereto, and a fastener operably coupled to a respective portion of each of the first and second clamping arms. The fastener is configured to draw each of the first and second clamping arms towards one another from a first, open position, where the solar module is free to move relative to first and second clamping arms to a second, closed position, where the solar module is inhibited from moving relative to the first and second clamping arms.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 25/634 - Clamps; Clips
• F24S 25/632 - Side connectors; Base connectors
• H02S 20/23 - Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
• H02S 20/30 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment

Abstract

An electrical system includes inverters coupled together in parallel and coupled to a common DC bus. The electrical system also includes a common AC bus coupled between outputs of the inverters and an electrical power grid. The electrical system also includes local controllers coupled to the inverters and decentralized controllers coupled to the local controllers. The decentralized controllers measure voltages and currents of the electrical power grid and the inverters and generate decentralized control signals for the local control controllers based on the measured voltages and currents. The electrical system also includes a centralized controller in communication with the local controllers. The centralized controller predicts a DC load and generates centralized control signals for the local controllers to maintain a constant voltage on the common DC bus based on the predicted DC load.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02J 3/38 - Arrangements for parallelly feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• H02J 3/40 - Synchronising a generator for connection to a network or to another generator
• H02J 7/34 - Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering