Photovoltaic mounting system for solar tracker array
AssigneeSolarCity Corporation
InventorsRobert Haas, David Molina, Kathryn Austin Pesce, Johann Fritz Karkheck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.
Claims20
A photovoltaic (PV) module mounting system for a solar tracker array comprising:
- a first PV mounting bracket comprising a first saddle portion for supporting a first PV module, the first PV mounting bracket further comprising a first collar portion shaped to fit around a portion of a torque tube, the first collar portion having at least one first mounting hole;
- and
- a second PV mounting bracket comprising a second saddle portion for supporting a second PV module, the second PV mounting bracket further comprising a second collar portion shaped to fit around a portion of the torque tube, the second collar portion having at least one second mounting hole aligned with the first mounting hole, the first and second mounting holes for receiving a mechanical fastener to attach the first and second PV mounting brackets to the torque tube.
A photovoltaic (PV) module mounting bracket for a solar tracker array comprising:
- a collar portion shaped to mount to at least a portion of a torque tube of a solar tracker array, the collar portion comprising at least one mounting tab having at least one mounting hole, the at least one mounting tab being positioned to overlap with another mounting tab of a second PV mounting bracket to share a fastener for mounting to a torque tube;
- and
- a saddle portion having at least one ledge portion configured to support a bottom portion of a PV module and at least one attachment tab configured to resiliently retain an upper portion of the PV module to the at least one ledge portion.
A photovoltaic (PV) mode mounting bracket for a solar tracker array comprising:
- a wall member;
- a plurality of saddle supports extending from the wall member, the plurality of saddle supports for supporting one edge of a PV module;
- a plurality of collar members extending from the wall member, the plurality of collar members arranged to mount onto a torque tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.