Nextracker LLC

A solar module frame assembly includes first and longitudinal frame portions and first and second lateral frame portions. The first and second longitudinal frame portions can include an intermediate wall, a photovoltaic receptacle at one end portion of the intermediate wall, and a lower wall potion at another, opposite end portion of the intermediate wall. The lower wall portion of each of the first and second longitudinal frame portions can include one or more connecting tabs. The first and second lateral frame portions can include a vertical or skewed intermediate wall, a photovoltaic receptacle at one end portion of the vertical or skewed intermediate wall, and a base at another, opposite end portion of the vertical or skewed intermediate wall. The vertical or skewed intermediate wall can include one or more connecting tabs that are configured to engage with corresponding aperture(s) at the adjacent first and second longitudinal frame portions.

A method for coupling a solar module frame to a torque tube of a solar tracker using a hooked flange solar module frame coupling apparatus includes: positioning a hook portion the of frame component relative to a frame receiving receptacle at a rail; moving the hook portion of the frame from a biased, coupling configuration to a receptacle entry configuration via contact between the hook portion and the rail; and moving the hook portion from the receptacle entry configuration to the biased, coupling configuration to couple the frame to the rail.

A ground pile for a solar tracking system includes an elongate hollow tube extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, one or more pair of support blades formed along the elongate hollow tube and extending away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate hollow tube. The one or more pair of support blades being formed by a hydroforming process.

A washer clip device includes a first clip arm, a second clip arm, at least one grounding element at the first clip arm and/or the second clip arm, and a fastening aperture extending through the first clip arm. The first and second clip arms are joined together at a first end of the washer clip device to define a first internal clip area adjacent the first end, and the first and second clip arms are spaced apart from one another at a second end of the washer clip device to define a receiving gap between the first and second clip arms and adjacent to the second end. This washer clip device is movable between a coupling configuration and a receiving configuration, with the receiving gap being larger when in the receiving configuration than when in the coupling configuration.

A method for installing a solar tracker A-frame foundation includes: placing a first pile at a first location along a ground surface; placing a second pile at a second location along the ground surface, the second location spaced apart from the first location; simultaneously ramming the first pile into the ground surface at the first location and ramming the second pile into the ground surface at the second location; and after simultaneously ramming the first and second piles into the ground surface, coupling a first leg of a solar tracker A-frame support to the first pile and coupling a second leg of the solar tracker A-frame support to the second pile.

A coupling system for use with a solar tracker includes a saddle defining a U-shaped profile extending between opposed first and second end portions, the saddle defines a channel configured to selectively receive a module rail and a slot defined through the first and second side surfaces adjacent the first end portion, and a clip assembly slidably supported within the channel and including a clip having a generally U-shaped profile defining a crown interposed between a pair of legs having an upturned tab and extending from the crown and terminating at a respective hook, wherein the clip assembly is configured to transition from a first open position to a second, closed position where the upturned tab is received within the slot of the saddle and a hook of each of the pair of legs engages a module rail to selectively couple the module rail to the saddle.

A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.

A solar tracker centrifugal locking apparatus includes a centrifugal locking device and first and second cable members. Each of the first and second cable members is connected to the centrifugal locking device and configured to connect to a torque tube. The centrifugal locking device is configured such that when the torque tube rotates in a first rotational direction at a rotational velocity below a first direction torque tube rotational velocity threshold, the centrifugal locking device is in an unlocked state to release the first cable member and receive the second cable member. And the centrifugal locking device is configured such that when the torque tube rotates in the first rotational direction at a rotational velocity at or above the first direction torque tube rotational velocity threshold, the centrifugal locking device is in a locked state to prevent further release of the first cable member.

A solar tracking system comprises multiple solar panel modules forming a grid of solar panel modules, wherein the multiple solar panel modules are orientatable to a solar source independently of each other; and a control system configured to orient each of the multiple solar panel modules to the solar source independently of each other based on a performance model to optimize an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules, wherein the performance model predicts an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules based on a topography of the area containing the grid of solar panel modules and weather conditions local to each of the solar panel modules.