Counterbalance assemblies in photovoltaic solar trackers

A counterbalance assembly in a photovoltaic (PV) tracking system, the counterbalance assembly comprising:

• a top bracket configured to be secured to a torque tube such that the top bracket rotates with the torque tube about an axis of rotation between a first rotational limit in a first direction and a second rotational limit in a second direction;
• a bottom bracket configured to be secured to a column supporting the torque tube;
• and
• a stretchable member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end being connected to the top bracket and the bottom end being connected to the bottom bracket, wherein at least one of the top bracket or the bottom bracket includes a pin that is positioned within a slot and the stretchable member is connected to the at least one of the top bracket or the bottom bracket through a pin and slot connection;
• wherein the pin and slot connection allows a connection point between the stretchable member and the at least one of the top bracket or the bottom bracket to move within the slot such that a rate at which a restorative force is applied by the stretchable member is reduced as the torque tube rotates toward the first or second rotational limits.

A counterbalance assembly in a photovoltaic (PV) tracking system, the counterbalance assembly comprising:

• a top bracket configured to be secured to a torque tube such that the top bracket rotates with the torque tube about an axis of rotation between a first rotational limit in a first direction and a second rotational limit in a second direction;
• a bottom bracket configured to be secured to a column supporting the torque tube;
• a stretchable member connected at a top end to the top bracket and at a bottom end to the bottom bracket;
• and
• a linkage positioned between the stretchable member and at least one of the top bracket or the bottom bracket, wherein the linkage is secured to at least one of the top bracket or the bottom bracket through a pivot joint such that, as the torque tube rotates toward the first or second rotational limits, a connection point between the stretchable member and the linkage pivots about the pivot joint in a rotational direction that is opposite to a rotational direction of the torque tube.