Array Tech, Inc.

Array Technologies, Inc.

Kyumin Lee

Sanket Shah

Jon Sharp

Lucas Creasy

Lars Tomasson

Sourav Gur

Nathan Schuknecht

Todd DarVel Andersen

John Nagyvary

Kiran Vasishta

Kendra Lynn Conrad

Alex Cisneros

Bhanu Prasad Tuniki

Kendra Passow

Daniel Fusaro

John Moseley

Ronald Corio

A method may include obtaining information from a weather forecasting service that relates to indicators of an incoming hail event. The method may include determining a stowing score that quantifies whether the hail event is likely to occur within a period of time based on the information from the weather forecasting service. Responsive to the stowing score exceeding a threshold value, a time at which the incoming hail event is likely to occur may be predicted based on the weather forecasting service information. The threshold value may indicate a threshold likelihood of the hail event occurring or a threshold period of time before occurrence. The method may include determining a wind direction at the predicted time at which the hail event is likely to occur and stowing photovoltaic modules based on the wind direction.

Stowing of photovoltaic modules for hail mitigation

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure address problems experienced in conventional tracking systems, including problems associated with inefficiencies created during diffuse light conditions. Embodiments disclosed herein address this problem by altering an angular orientation of PV modules during diffuse light conditions to ensure that the PV modules are in a position that more efficiently generates energy from diffuse irradiance.

Photovoltaic module stowing during diffuse light conditions

A method may include calculating a solar position of the Sun and a projected solar zenith (PSZ) relative to a position of a photovoltaic (PV) module. The method may include determining whether an orientation of the PV module is configurable to prevent shading of an upper substring of the PV module while shading a lower substring of the PV module. Responsive to determining that such an orientation is not configurable, the method may include determining whether the orientation of the PV module is configurable to prevent shading of both the upper substring and the lower substring. Responsive to determining that such an orientation is not configurable, the method may include determining whether the PSZ is within a maximum tracker angle range. A target tracker angle may be identified based on the PSZ and the maximum tracker angle range and used as a tracker angle control setpoint.

Multi-phase backtracking of photovoltaic modules

Methods and systems stowing one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules based on a weather event forecasts are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving a weather event forecast, such as a snow event forecast, for a location of a tracking system that includes a plurality of PV modules, determining that the weather event forecast for the location of the tracking system exceeds a threshold level of severity, and automatically positioning the plurality of PV modules at the location of the tracking system into a stow configuration. In some embodiments, the method may further require receiving confirmation of the weather event from a sensor at the location of the tracking system before positioning the PV modules in the stow configuration.

Stowing of photovoltaic (PV) modules in response to weather event forecasts

A mounting system may include a frame associated with a power-generating device, the frame including an opening. The mounting system may include a bracket mounting assembly. The bracket mounting assembly may include a top member having a first surface, a clamp, and a single bolt passing through both the top member and the clamp such that the clamp moves along an interface between the first and a second surfaces as the single bolt is tightened. The clamp may include the second surface corresponding to the first surface, an arm projecting away from the top member, and a flange at least proximate a top of the arm. The flange may include an ear at the top of the arm and a tab on a bottom side of the ear projecting back towards the top member, the tab positioned to interface with the opening on the frame.

Modified clamp

A method may include orienting a set of solar power units in a first position in which rows of solar power units are shaded by adjacent rows of solar power units; and monitoring energy generated by the set of solar power units over a window of time, that includes from when the set of solar power units are oriented in the first position until a sun angle corresponds to none of the rows being shaded by the adjacent rows. The method may include identifying a knee in energy generation during the first window of time, where the knee indicates a transition from higher to lower rates of change of energy generation at a given solar angle. The method may include plotting a trajectory of future orientation positions over time of the set of solar power units that include an orientation and time corresponding to the given solar angle.

Solar tracking system

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

Kyumin Lee