System, method and apparatus for photovoltaic array
A photovoltaic (PV) tracking system can include PV modules having support frame assemblies. Base frame assemblies also can be included. Each base frame assembly can have an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion can be coupled to a respective support frame assembly such that the PV modules are oriented at a tilt angle with respect to horizontal to form a solar array of PV tables. Elongated members can extend in a north-south direction. Each elongated member can be coupled with a respective base frame assembly. The elongated members can rotate the PV tables about a rotational axis that is oriented at the tilt angle. The tilt angle can be fixed. A control unit can be coupled to the base frame assemblies and the elongated members such that the control unit rotates the PV tables about the rotational axis.
1 . A photovoltaic system, comprising:
a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in a plurality of spaced apart photovoltaic module segments, with each photovoltaic module segment having a respective longitudinal axis that is oriented at a fixed tilt angle relative to horizontal in a north-south direction, wherein each respective longitudinal axis is oriented at a fixed tilt angle relative to horizontal in a north-south direction,
wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart photovoltaic module segments includes a respective photovoltaic table supporting the plurality of photovoltaic modules of the respective photovoltaic module segment,
wherein each of the photovoltaic tables is interconnected by a common rotating member configured to rotate each of the photovoltaic tables about a respective rotational axis in the east-west direction, and
wherein the common rotating member is oriented in the north-south direction.
2 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic modules each include a respective support frame assembly.
3 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of photovoltaic tables is rotatable about a respective rotational axis in an east-west direction.
4 . The photovoltaic system of claim 3 , wherein each respective rotational axis is parallel with a respective longitudinal axis of a respective photovoltaic module segment.
5 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , further including a control unit configured to rotate the common rotating member and each of the photovoltaic tables in the east-west direction.
6 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein the common rotating member comprises at least one torque member.
7 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 3° to 15°.
8 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein the tilt angle is in a range of 3° to 8°.
9 . The photovoltaic system of claim 5 , wherein the control unit is configured to adjust a rotational angle of each photovoltaic table relative to the rotational axis.
10 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein a spacing distance between each of the photovoltaic tables varies from each other.
11 . The photovoltaic system of claim 5 , wherein the control unit comprises a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the common rotating member.
12 . The photovoltaic system of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism is configured to rotate the plurality of photovoltaic modules in unison.
13 . The photovoltaic system of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a single motor.
14 . The photovoltaic system of claim 11 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a plurality of motors.
15 . The photovoltaic system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic tables are wirelessly coupled to the control unit.
16 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic tables are not co-planar with respect to each other.
17 . The photovoltaic system of claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic modules of a respective photovoltaic module segment are co-planar with respect to each other.
18 . The photovoltaic system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic tables are independently driven by linked motors to synchronously rotate.