The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 2026
Filed:
Jun. 25, 2024
Terabase Energy, Inc., Berkeley, CA (US);
Adam Hansel, Davis, CA (US);
Brian Coleman, Portland, OR (US);
Dylan Harper, Vancouver, WA (US);
Johann Fritz Karkheck, Petaluma, CA (US);
Mark Peter Shroeder, Rancho Cordova, CA (US);
Matthew Paul Campbell, Berkeley, CA (US);
Soren Jensen, Corte Madera, CA (US);
Terabase Energy, Inc., Berkeley, CA (US);
Abstract
System and method embodiments are described for solar panel protection against severe environmental impacts. A tracker controller may be configured to rotate a solar tracker comprising a group of solar panels to a safe position to diminish hail impact during a hailstorm. Such a rotation may be implemented using one or more motors to drive arc gears coupled to a pair of supporting purlins that support the group of solar panels. The tracker may comprise a bumper rail placed on the top when the tracker is at the safe position for hail impact absorption. Implementing solar panel protection provides a practical solution to protect solar panels from damage. Thus, the need for costly repair or replacement may be avoided, minimized, or decreased. As a result, the economic efficiency of solar power plant operations may be improved significantly.