US 12,449,161 B2
Self-shielding photovoltaic module tracker apparatus
Andrew Barron Worden, New York, NY (US); and Scott Van Pelt, Tarrytown, NY (US)
Assigned to Gamechange Solar Corp., Norwalk, CT (US)
Filed by Gamechange Solar Corp., New York, NY (US)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/017,247.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/898,186, filed on Sep. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0071914 A1, Mar. 11, 2021
Int. Cl. F24S 25/00 (2018.01); F24S 25/12 (2018.01); F24S 25/634 (2018.01); F24S 25/70 (2018.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.01); H02S 20/10 (2014.01)
CPC F24S 25/70 (2018.05) [F24S 25/12 (2018.05); F24S 25/634 (2018.05); H02S 20/32 (2014.12); H02S 20/10 (2014.12)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar panel assembly, comprising:
a plurality of solar panel arrays, each substantially parallel, where the plurality of solar panel arrays comprises a windward array located at an upwind perimeter of the solar panel assembly, where each of the plurality of solar panel arrays comprises a plurality of racking structures comprising
a stationary structural member securely anchored to a ground surface;
a rotatable shaft secured to the stationary structural member via a bearing wheel and to which at least first and second solar panels are mounted via a clamp assembly;
a drive mechanism coupled at a proximate end to the rotatable shaft and coupled at a distal end to an actuator;
where the rotatable shaft of the windward array comprises a wall thickness and a length that provides a torsional stiffness, which allows the rotatable shaft of the windward array to deflect 60-80 degrees from a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to a length of the stationary structural member, in response to an applied torque from wind speeds in excess of 70 mph, thus positioning the solar panels mounted to the windward array to shield the plurality of solar panel arrays located downwind from the windward array from high wind loads.