Support structures for solar tracker systemswith variable pitch

A solar tracker located on terrain of varying contour, comprising:

• a torque tube defining a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough,
• a plurality of piers embedded in terrain of varying contour at spaced locations along the torque tube to form a row, each pier of the plurality of piers having a top portion, the top portions of the first plurality of piers being at differing heights relative to each other due to the terrain of varying contour;
• a plurality of bearings, each bearing of the plurality of bearings fixedly mounted to the top portion of a respective pier of the first plurality of piers;
• the torque tube extending along and rotatably supported at the spaced locations along the torque tube by the plurality of bearings such that the torque tube and a pitch angle of the central axis follow the differing heights of the top portions, the pitch angle of the central axis being defined as the angle of the central axis relative to the horizon,
• each pier being mounted into the terrain of varying contour at a mounting angle that is substantially 90 degrees downward from the pitch angle of the central axis proximate a location along the torque tube where the torque tube is rotatably supported by a respective bearing.

A solar tracker located on terrain of varying contour, comprising:

• a continuous torque tube including a first section and a second section, connected to the first section, the continuous torque tube defining a central axis extending centrally therethrough a plurality of piers, including, a first pier, a second pier, and a third pier, embedded in terrain of varying contour at spaced locations along the continuous torque tube to form a row, each pier of the plurality of piers having a top portion,
• the first section extending from the top portion of the first pier to the top portion of the second pier, the second section extending from the top portion of the second pier to the top portion of the third pier, the top portion of the second pier being at a differing height relative to the top portion of the first pier and the top portion of the third pier due to the terrain of varying contour, the difference in heights of the top portions causing bending along a length of the first section and pre-loading the first section to form a relative angle between the first section and the second section to enable the continuous torque tube to follow variations in the terrain of varying contour;
• a plurality of bearings, each bearing of the plurality of bearings fixedly mounted to the top portion of a respective pier of the first plurality of piers;
• the continuous torque tube extending along and rotatably supported at the spaced locations along the continuous torque tube by the plurality of bearings such that the continuous torque tube and a pitch angle of the central axis follow the differing heights of the top portions, the pitch angle of the central axis being defined as the angle of the central axis relative to the horizon,
• each pier of the plurality of piers being mounted into the terrain of varying contour at a mounting angle that is substantially 90 degrees downward from the pitch angle of the central axis proximate a location along the continuous torque tube where the continuous torque tube is rotatably supported by a respective bearing.