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

Claim 0:
1. 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 operably 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 clamp assembly comprising:
a clamp housing member; and
a clam shell clamp rotatably coupled to the clamp housing member about the single axis of rotation, the clam shell clamp configured to support the torque tube in an off-set position from the single axis of rotation;

a solar panel energy source smaller than each of the plurality of solar modules and configured to power the drive device, wherein the solar panel energy source is mounted side by side with one of the plurality of solar modules; and
an electronic module secured to the torque tube, wherein the electronic module and the solar panel energy source are between at least one of the plurality of solar modules and the drive device.