HIGH-IMPACT FASTENERS IN SOLAR APPLICATIONS
Systems and methods for using high-impact fasteners to couple components of a solar power system together to prevent these components from any movement or slippage relative to each other. A strap may be secured over a top surface of the high-impact fasteners and around the components to prevent a disengagement of the high-impact fastener from the components and a separation of the components.
1 . A method of assembling a solar power system, the method comprising:
positioning a first component of the solar power system proximate to a second component of the solar power system; and
driving a high-impact fastener through a portion of the first component and through a portion of the second component using an actuated fastener device to prevent slippage between the first and second components.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
securing a strap over a top surface of the high-impact fastener and around the first and second components to prevent a disengagement of the high-impact fastener from the first and second components and a separation between the first and second components.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the portions of the first and second components lack any holes or perforations prior to the high-impact fastener being driven through the first and second components.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first component is a support structure and the second component is a mounting element.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the support structure is a torque tube.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuated fastener device comprises a powder actuated fastener device.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuated fastener device comprises a gas actuated fastener device.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuated fastener device comprises an electronically actuated fastener device.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuated fastener device is configured to drive the high-impact fastener through a portion of a first component of a solar power system and a portion of a second component of the solar power system to attach the first component to the second component.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuated fastener device is configured to apply an impact force equal to or greater than one hundred joules.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the actuated fastener is configured to apply an impact force at a level of approximately one hundred fifty joules.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the actuated fastener is configured to apply an impact force at a level of approximately three hundred thirty-five joules.
13 . A solar power system comprising:
a first component;
a second component; and
a high-impact fastener extending through a portion of the first component and through a portion of the second component to prevent slippage between the first and second components.
14 . The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a strap secured over a top surface of the high-impact fastener and around the first and second components to prevent a disengagement of the high-impact fastener from the first and second components and a separation between the first and second components.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first component is a support structure and the second component is a mounting element.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the support structure is a pile.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the support structure is a torque tube.
18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a PV module that is secured to the torque tube through the mounting element.
19 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first component is a torque tube and the second component is an internal torque tube coupler.
20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first component is a torque tube and the second component is an external torque tube coupler.