Patent ID: 11967921
Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
Field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H  F  Y | IPC F  H

Claim 8:
9. A solar tracker apparatus comprising:
a torque tube defining a single axis of rotation;
a plurality of solar modules coupled to the torque tube such that rotation of the torque tube about the single axis of rotation orients the plurality of solar modules;
a drive device coupled to the torque tube, the drive device configured to rotate the torque tube and the plurality of solar modules about the single axis of rotation;
a micro-controller controlling the drive device;
an inclinometer measuring a tilt of the plurality of solar modules, the inclinometer being coupled to the micro-controller, the micro-controller configured to control the drive device based on the tilt measured by the inclinometer;
a self-powering energy source configured to power the drive device, the self-powering energy source mounted on a first side of the torque tube; and
an electronics module secured to a second side of the torque tube proximate the self-powering energy source.