Patent Publication Number: US-2022239249-A1

Title: Aeroelastic stabilizer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/142,959, filed on Jan. 28, 2021; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to use of an aeroelastic stabilizer to disrupt formation of vortices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Systems of solar panels may include one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules. A PV module may be a photovoltaic cell that capture photons of light energy from the Sun to generate electrical energy. The amount of photons captured by the PV module may depend on the orientation of the PV module with respect to the Sun such that the PV module captures a greater number of photons when the PV module is oriented towards the Sun. PV modules may be mounted in rows on solar trackers that direct an orientation of the PV modules such that the orientation of the PV modules changes throughout a day and the PV modules remain oriented towards the Sun for longer periods of time. 
     The subject matter claimed in the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described in the present disclosure may be practiced. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a system that may include a support column, and a torsion beam connected to the support column and connected to one or more frames circumscribing one or more respective photovoltaic (PV) modules. An angle of orientation of the one or more frames may change based on rotation of the torsion beam. The system may also include an aeroelastic stabilizer associated with an edge of at least one of the frames. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer provides no structural support for the frames, the one or more PV modules, the torsion beam, or the support column. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may be oriented perpendicular to a surface of the PV modules. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may be a continuous sheet coupled to and/or associated with at least two of the frames along a given row of the photovoltaic modules. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may project in a direction away from and below the one or more rows of photovoltaic modules. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may interface with more than one edge of a given frame. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may include aeroelastic tabs positioned along an edge of at least one of the frames with which the aeroelastic stabilizer interfaces and/or is associated. 
     In some embodiments, the tabs may be tapered. 
     In some embodiments, the tabs may be positioned at equidistant locations along the edge of the at least one of the frames. 
     In some embodiments, the association between the aeroelastic stabilizer and the edge of the at least one of the frames includes the aeroelastic stabilizer being integrally formed with the at least one of the frames. 
     In some embodiments, the association between the aeroelastic stabilizer and the edge of the at least one of the frames may include the aeroelastic stabilizer being fixedly coupled to the edge of the at least one of the frames. 
     In some embodiments, the system may also include a rail to which the edge of the at least one of the frames is fixedly coupled, the rail supporting a plurality of the one or more PV modules. 
     In some embodiments, the association between the aeroelastic stabilizer and the edge of the at least one of the frames may include the aeroelastic stabilizer being integrally formed with the rail to which the edge of the at least one of the frames is fixedly coupled. 
     In some embodiments, the association between the aeroelastic stabilizer and the edge of the at least one of the frames may include the aeroelastic stabilizer being fixedly coupled to the rail. 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device that includes a photovoltaic (PV) module; and a frame encasing the PV module, where the frame may include an aeroelastic stabilizer integrally formed with the frame. The aeroelastic stabilizer may extend from an edge of the frame perpendicularly away from the PV module. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may extend away from the PV module towards the ground. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may include multiple individual tabs extending away from the edge of the frame. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may include a continuous sheet of material extending away from the edge of the frame. 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device that includes a rail shaped to support multiple photovoltaic (PV) modules, where the rail may couple the PV modules to a torsion beam. The rail may be fixedly coupled to the torsion beam such that as the torsion beam is rotated, the rail rotates a corresponding amount. The rail may include an aeroelastic stabilizer integrally formed with the rail, where the aeroelastic stabilizer may extend from an edge of the rail perpendicularly away from the PV module. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may include multiple individual tabs extending away from the edge of the rail. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may include a continuous sheet of material extending away from the edge of the rail. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer may include a first arm that extends in a first direction parallel with the PV modules and away from a main shaft of the rail, and a second arm that extends in a second direction opposite the first direction and parallel with the PV modules. 
     The object and advantages of the embodiments will be realized and achieved at least by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example embodiment of a first PV module system including an aeroelastic stabilizer; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates another example embodiment of a second PV module system including a second embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a close-up view of the second embodiment of the aeroelastic stabilizer of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a close-up view of a variation on the second embodiment of the aeroelastic stabilizer of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  illustrates a bottom view of one implementation of the aeroelastic stabilizer of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates a bottom view of another implementation of the aeroelastic stabilizer of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an additional example embodiment of a third PV module system including a third embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates another example embodiment of a fourth PV module system including a fourth embodiment of the aeroelastic stabilizer; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates another example embodiment of a fifth PV module system including a fifth embodiment of the aeroelastic stabilizer; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of a sixth PV module system; 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate an example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer integrally formed with a frame of a PV module; 
         FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate another example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer integrally formed with a frame of a PV module; 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate an example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer fixedly coupled to a frame of a PV module; 
         FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate another example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer fixedly coupled to a frame of a PV module; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate an example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer integrally formed with a rail to which PV modules are coupled; 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate another example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer integrally formed with a rail to which PV modules are coupled; 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate an example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer fixedly coupled to a rail to which PV modules are coupled; 
         FIGS. 12A-12B  illustrate another example embodiment of an aeroelastic stabilizer fixedly coupled to a rail to which PV modules are coupled, all in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to, among other things, use of an aeroelastic stabilizer system to interrupt formation of vortices near PV modules. A PV system may be mounted on a single- or dual-axis tracker such that the PV system remains oriented towards the Sun for longer periods of time relative to a PV system not mounted on a tracker. Because a placement of the PV system is fixed, the position of the Sun relative to the PV system changes throughout a given day. The single-axis tracker may rotate the orientation of the PV system along an axis of rotation throughout a given day to reduce an angle of incidence between the PV system and the Sun for an extended period of time. 
     Rotation of the PV system along the axis of rotation of the tracker may generate an inertial load on the PV system and/or the tracker. The inertial load may cause damage to and/or degradation of the PV system and/or the tracker over time. Other forces or movement of the PV system may also cause damage and/or degradation of the PV system and/or the tracker over time. In some circumstances, the inertial load and/or other loads or forces may be increased due to resonant vibrations experienced by the PV system and/or the tracker. The inertial load and/or other loads or forces may be further increased due to environmental effects, such as formation of vortices of wind along surfaces of the PV system. For example, small wind effects may be generated at the edge of the PV system that may cause shaking, vibrations, jitter, extraneous upward forces, or other increase to the inertial load and/or other loads or forces due to wind forces. In some circumstances, the vortices may even dislodge the frames and/or PV modules from the support structures holding up the PV modules. 
     The aeroelastic stabilizer system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce the inertial load experienced by the PV system by reducing or eliminating formation of vortices and/or uneven wind loads along edges of the PV system. For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer system may include physical structure(s) taking certain shapes that may disrupt the formation of such vortices along the edges of the PV system. For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer system may include a physical lip or other continuous sheet of material extending away from the edge of the PV modules. As another example, the aeroelastic stabilizer system may include a series of tabs extending away from the PV system. The aeroelastic stabilizer system may improve longevity of the PV system by reducing damage to or degradation of the PV system over time. The aeroelastic stabilizer system may reduce manufacturing costs of PV systems and/or single-axis trackers by reducing the amount of additional hardware required to improve stability of the PV system, such as dampers and springs. In some embodiments, the shape and/or profile of the aeroelastic stabilizers may disrupt the flow and gathering of wind forces to prevent the formation of vortices. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained with reference to the accompanying figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an example system  100  that illustrates use of aeroelastic stabilizers  110 . The system  100  may include one or more aeroelastic stabilizers  110   a  and  110   b  (collectively, “aeroelastic stabilizers  110 ”), one or more support columns  120 , a torsion beam  130 , one or more rows of PV modules  140 , and frames  145  circumscribing each of the PV cells in the one or more rows of PV modules  140 . 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may include one or more continuous sheets positioned at one or more edges of the frames  145 . The aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may be associated with the one or more edges of the frames  145 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may interface with the frames  145  such that the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  are perpendicular to the frames  145 . Additionally or alternatively, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may be positioned such that the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  are angled away from or toward the torsion beam  130 . In such embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may not be perpendicular to the frames  145 . Additionally or alternatively, the system  100  may not include a frame  145 , and the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may interface with one or more edges of the row of PV modules  140  themselves. The aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may be positioned such that the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  project in a direction away from the one or more rows of PV modules  140 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may project toward the plane representing a base of the support columns  120  (e.g., the ground). In some circumstances, by positioning the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  such that the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  project away from the one or more rows of PV modules  140 , the positioning may prevent the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  from obstructing sunlight incident to the PV modules  140  as the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  project away from the PV modules  140 . 
     The support columns  120 , the torsion beam  130 , the PV modules  140 , and/or the frames  145  may experience uneven inertial loads throughout the system  100 . Uneven inertial loads may be caused by wind and formation of vortices across the system  100  resulting from resonant vibrations in the system  100  and environmental forces. For example, a first edge  147   a  of the frames  145  with which the aeroelastic stabilizer  110   a  interfaces (or is otherwise associated) and/or a second edge  147   b  of the frames  145  with which the aeroelastic stabilizer  110   b  interfaces (or is otherwise associated) may experience uneven inertial loads. Positioning the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  at one or more edges of the frames  145  (such as the edges  147   a / 147   b ) that may experience uneven inertial loads may interrupt formation of vortices, which may reduce and/or eliminate the uneven inertial loads. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may or may not be designed to provide structural support to the frames  145 , the torsion beam  130 , and/or the support column  120 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may reduce and/or eliminate the uneven inertial loads due to wind forces without the aeroelastic stabilizers  110  taking any of the structural load on the support columns  120 , the torsion beam  130 , the PV modules  140 , and/or the frames  145 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the system  100  without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the system  100  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIG. 2A  is a diagram representing an example system  200  that illustrates use of an aeroelastic stabilizer  210 . The system  200  may include the aeroelastic stabilizer  210 , one or more support beams  220 , one or more rows of PV modules  230 , and one or more frames  235  circumscribing the PV cells of the one or more rows of PV modules  230 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a diagram representing a zoomed-in view of the system  200  focusing on the aeroelastic stabilizer  210 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may include an arced stabilizer sheet  212  and a torsion beam  214  positioned between the arced stabilizer sheet  212  and the PV modules  230 . 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may be a continuous sheet that interfaces with two or more edges of the frames  235 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may interface with a leading edge  247   a  of the row of PV modules  230 , and a trailing edge  247   b  of the PV modules  230 . In such an example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may include the arced stabilizer sheet  212  as a continuous sheet that interfaces with the leading and trailing edges  247   a / 247   b  by arcing below the PV modules  230 . Additionally or alternatively, the system  200  may not include a frame  235 , and the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may interface with one or more edges of the row of PV modules  230  themselves. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may be positioned in a way such that sunlight incident to the PV modules  230  is not obstructed. For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may be an arced stabilizer sheet  212  that connects two non-adjacent edges (such as the edges  247   a / 247   b ) of the frames  235  from below the PV modules  230 . In such an example, the arced stabilizer sheet  212  may be positioned below the torsion beam  214  such that the torsion beam  214  is positioned above the arced stabilizer sheet  212  and below the PV modules  230 . To minimize material costs associated with manufacturing the arced stabilizer sheet  212 , the arced stabilizer sheet  212  may be made of a material including a low cost and/or flexible material such as plastic, composite, fibrous material, metal sheeting, or other such materials. 
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may span the full length of the row of PV modules  230  (e.g., may be connected along the leading edges/trailing edges  247   a / 247   b  of all of the PV modules  230  in a given row). Additionally or alternatively, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may span most of, part of, or targeted portions of the row of PV modules  230 . In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may include cutouts to accommodate mounting hardware such as clamps or other coupling devices, to couple the PV modules  230  to the torsion beam  214 . Additionally or alternatively, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  may include cutouts or gaps to accommodate the torsion beam  214  coupling to the support beam  220 . For example, the torsion beam  214  may interface with the support beam  220  at an interface point  225 . An example of such cutouts is illustrated in  FIG. 2E . 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a close-up view of a variation on the second embodiment of the aeroelastic stabilizer of  FIG. 2A . The arced stabilizer sheet  212 , the support beam  220 , the PV modules  230 , and/or the frames  235  may be comparable or similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 2A / 2 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , in some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  210   c  of  FIG. 2C  may include a cap  240  for closing the end of a row. The cap  240  may be made of the same material as the arced stabilizer sheet  212  and may enclose the end of a row. Additionally or alternatively, the cap  240  may be made of a more rigid material. For example, the cap  240  may be made of a hard or rigid plastic material while the arced stabilizer sheet  212  may be made of a more pliable material. 
     By capping the end of the row of PV modules  230 , wind forces caused by wind blowing between the PV modules  230  and the arced stabilizer sheet  212  may be avoided. Additionally or alternatively, animals such as squirrels and birds may be prevented from nesting, living, or accessing the space between the PV modules  230  and the arced stabilizer sheet  212 . 
       FIG. 2D  illustrates a bottom view of one implementation of the aeroelastic stabilizer  210  of  FIG. 2A . The torsion beam  214 , the support beam  220 , the PV modules  230 , and/or the frames  235  may be comparable or similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 2A / 2 B. The aeroelastic stabilizer may include a first sheet  212   d  and a second sheet  213   d  that may operate as the arced stabilizer sheet. For example, the first and second sheets  212   d / 213   d  may leave a gap  232  between the sheets  212   d / 213   d  to accommodate the interface point  225  at which the torsion beam  214  interfaces with the support beam  220 . 
     By providing the gap  232 , the sheets  212   d  may move with the PV modules  230 , frames  235 , and/or the torsion beam  214  as a single body. By doing so, the entire space between the sheets  212   d / 213   d  and the PV modules  230  may be fully enclosed without seams or interfaces of motion to accommodate, with a tradeoff of the gap  232  being without the sheets  212   d / 213   d  to provide the aeroelastic stabilization in the gap  232 . 
       FIG. 2E  illustrates a bottom view of another implementation of the aeroelastic stabilizer of  FIG. 2A . The torsion beam  214 , the support beam  220 , and/or the frames  235  may be comparable or similar to those illustrated in  FIGS. 2A / 2 B. The aeroelastic stabilizer may include a single sheet  212   e  that may operate as the arced stabilizer sheet. For example, the single sheet  212   e  may extend along a row of PV modules and may include a cutout  216  to accommodate the interface point  225  at which the torsion beam  214  interfaces with the support beam  220 . 
     In some embodiments, the cutout  216  may be sized such that at a maximum tilt of tracking orientation, the interface point  225  is at one end of the cutout  216 . For example, at sunrise, the interface point  225  may be at one end of the cutout  216  and at sunset, the interface point  225  may be at the opposite end of the cutout  216  due to rotation of the torsion beam  214  throughout the day. 
     In some embodiments, the cutout  216  may include a seal  250  that is designed to accommodate motion of the torsion beam and/or the single sheet  212   e  relative to the support beam  220 . For example, the seal  250  may include a bushing, a wiper seal, a compressible material like bristles, or any other material that may fill portions of the cutout  216  but may be displaced by the interface point  225  as the torsion beam  214  is rotated throughout the day. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the system  200  without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the system  200  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram representing an example system  300   a  that illustrates use of discrete stabilizer tabs  310 . The system  300   a  may include an aeroelastic stabilizer including multiple discrete stabilizer tabs  310 , one or more support columns  320 , a torsion beam  330 , one or more rows of PV modules  340 , and frames  345  circumscribing the PV cells of the one or more rows of PV modules  340 . 
     In some embodiments, the discrete stabilizer tabs  310  may be associated with one or more edges  347   a / 347   b  of the frames  345 . In some embodiments, each stabilizer tab  310  may be positioned an equal distance from neighboring stabilizer tabs  310  along the edges  347   a / 347   b  of the frames  345 . Additionally or alternatively, the discrete stabilizer tabs  310  may be positioned in a manner that may or may not be equidistant, such as random, varying periodic placement, among other placement arrangements. Additionally or alternatively, the system  300  may not include a frame  345 , and the discrete stabilizer tabs  310  may interface with one or more edges  347   a / 347   b  of the one or more rows of PV modules  340  themselves. 
     In some embodiments, the discrete stabilizer tabs  310  may be positioned at one or more predetermined locations along the length of the row of PV modules  340 . For example, the discrete stabilizer tabs  310  may be positioned at the periphery or ends (such as the end  357 ) of the rows of PV modules  340 , at which fluctuations in inertial loads may be the greatest. 
       FIG. 3B  is a diagram representing an example system  300   b  that illustrates use of discrete stabilizer tabs  312 . The system  300   b  may include an aeroelastic stabilizer including multiple discrete stabilizer tabs  312 , one or more support columns  320 , a torsion beam  330 , one or more rows of PV modules  340 , and frames  345  circumscribing the PV cells of the one or more rows of PV modules  340 . The discrete stabilizer tabs  312  may be tapered such that the discrete stabilizer tabs  312  are triangular in shape. 
     In some embodiments, the discrete stabilizer tabs  312  may interface with one or more edges  347   a / 347   b  of the frames  345 . In some embodiments, each stabilizer tab  312  may be positioned an equal distance from neighboring stabilizer tabs  312  along the edges  347   a / 347   b  of the frames  345 . Additionally or alternatively, the discrete stabilizer tabs  312  may be positioned in a manner that may or may not be equidistant, such as random, varying periodic placement, or other placement patterns or configurations. 
     In some embodiments, the discrete stabilizer tabs  312  may be positioned at one or more predetermined locations along the length of the row of PV modules  340 . For example, the discrete stabilizer tabs  312  may be positioned at the periphery or ends (such as the end  357 ) of the rows of PV modules  340 , at which fluctuations in inertial loads may be the greatest. 
       FIG. 3C  is a diagram representing an example system  300   c  that illustrates use of discrete stabilizer tabs  314 . The system  300   c  may include an aeroelastic stabilizer including multiple discrete stabilizer tabs  314 . In some embodiments, the discrete stabilizer tabs  314  may include one or more flat edges with which an edge of the PV modules and/or a frame may interface and/or a rounded end such that the discrete stabilizer tabs  314  are semi-circular in shape. 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems  300   a ,  300   b  and/or  300   c  without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the designations of different elements in the manner described is meant to help explain concepts described herein and is not limiting. Further, the systems  300   a ,  300   b  and/or  300   c  may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within other systems or contexts than those described. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of a sixth PV module system  400 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The PV module system  400  may include a configuration in which multiple PV modules  440  (such as the PV modules  440   a / 440   b ) may be mounted on one or more rails  425  (such as rails  425   a / 426   b ). An aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may be positioned along one or more ends of the PV modules  440 . The PV modules  440   a  and  440   b  may be similar or comparable to the PV modules  140  of  FIG. 1 , frames  445  (such as the frames  445   a / 445   b ) of the PV modules may be similar or comparable to the frame  145  of  FIG. 1 , torsion beam  430  may be similar or comparable to the torsion beam  130  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The PV modules  440  may be fixedly coupled to the rail via one or more end brackets  452  (such as the end brackets  452   a - 452   d ) and/or one or more mid brackets  454  (such as the mid brackets  454   a / 454   b ). For example, the end brackets  452   a  and  452   b  and the mid brackets  454   a  and  454   b  may be coupled to the rails  425   a / 425   b . The combination of the end brackets  452   a / 452   b  and the mid brackets  454   a / 454   b  may fixedly couple the PV module  440   a  to the rails  425   a / 425   b . The rails  425   a / 425   b  may be fixedly coupled to the torsion beam  430  such that as the torsion beam  430  is rotated (e.g., to track the position of the sun as it travels across the sky), the rails  425   a / 425   b  and in turn the PV module  440   a  may be rotated a corresponding amount. The PV module  440   b  may be fixedly coupled to the rails  425   a / 425   b  in a similar or comparable manner using the end brackets  452   c / 452   d  and the mid brackets  454   a  and  454   b.    
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may include one or more discrete tabs positioned at one or more edges of the frames  445   b  (such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6B, 8A-8B, 10A-10C, and 12A-12B ). Additionally or alternatively, the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may include one or more continuous sheets positioned at one or more edges of the frames  445   b . The aeroelastic stabilizers  110  may be associated with the one or more edges of the frames  145  (such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B, 7A-7B, 9A-9C, and 11A-11B ). In these and other embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizers  410  may interface with the frame  445   a  such that the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  is perpendicular to the frame  445   a . Additionally or alternatively, the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may be positioned such that the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  is angled away from or toward the torsion beam  430 . In such embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may not be perpendicular to the frame  445   a . Additionally or alternatively, the system  400  may not include the frames  445 , and the aeroelastic stabilizers  410  may interface with one or more edges of the PV modules  440  themselves. The aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may be positioned such that the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  project in a direction away from the PV module  440   a . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may project toward the ground. In some circumstances, by positioning the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  such that the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  projects away from the PV module  440   a , the positioning may prevent the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  from obstructing sunlight incident to the PV module  440   a  as the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  projects away from the PV module  440   a.    
     In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  410  may include a support  412  and a plurality of tabs  414  that extend away from the support  412 . For example, the support  412  may couple to the frame  445   a  and the tabs  414  may extend away from the support  412 . In some embodiments, the support  412  may couple to the rail  425  instead of the frame  445   a . In these and other embodiments, a cap or other intermediate component (not shown) may be attached to the end of the rail to which the support  412  may be coupled. 
     While illustrated with a given profile, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of profiles may be utilized for the tabs  414 , some non-limiting examples of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
       FIGS. 5A-12B  illustrate various variations of style of aeroelastic stabilizers with different variations of being integrally formed with a frame or being fixedly coupled to a frame. For example,  FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented as a continuous sheet of material and is integrally formed with the frame of the PV module,  FIGS. 6A-6B  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented with tabs and is integrally formed with a frame of a PV module,  FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented as a continuous sheet of material and is fixedly coupled to the frame of the PV module,  FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented with tabs and is fixedly coupled to the frame of the PV module,  FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented as a continuous sheet of material and is integrally formed with a rail to which PV modules are coupled,  FIGS. 10A-10C  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented with tabs and is integrally formed with a rail to which PV modules are coupled,  FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented as a continuous sheet of material and is fixedly coupled to a rail to which PV modules are coupled, and  FIGS. 12A-12B  illustrate an embodiment where the aeroelastic stabilizer is implemented with tabs and is fixedly coupled to a rail to which PV modules are coupled. 
     It will be appreciated that for  FIGS. 5A-12B , any profile of tab is contemplated. Additionally, the drawings are not to scale and are merely for illustrative purposes. For example, the relative dimension of the length of the aeroelastic stabilizers relative to the frames of PV modules and/or rails is merely for convenience of describing the principles of the present disclosure, and is not intended to be limiting in any way. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a side view and  FIG. 5B  illustrates a front view of a PV module system  500  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  510 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  510  may be integrally formed with the frame  545  and may extend downwards away from the PV module (not shown) as a continuous sheet of material. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a side view and  FIG. 6B  illustrates a front view of a PV module system  600  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  610 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  610  may be integrally formed with the frame  645  and may extend downwards away from the PV module (not shown) as a series of tabs  610   a - 610   e.    
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a side view and  FIG. 7B  illustrates a front view of a PV module system  700  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  710 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  710  may be fixedly coupled to the frame  745  and may extend downwards away from the PV module (not shown) as a continuous sheet of material. For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  710  may be attached to the frame  745  using fasteners  720  (such as the fasteners  720   a - 720   c ). The fasteners  720   a - c  may include any type or style of fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets, among other fasteners. 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates a side view and  FIG. 8B  illustrates a front view of a PV module system  800  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  810 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  810  may be fixedly coupled to the frame  845  and may extend downwards away from the PV module (not shown) as a series of tabs  810   a - 810   e . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  810  may be attached to the frame  845  using fasteners  820  (such as the fasteners  820   a - 820   j ). The fasteners  820   a - j  may include any type or style of fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets, among other fasteners. In some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  810  may include a support from which the tabs  810   a - 810   e  may extend, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 9A  illustrates a side view,  FIG. 9B  illustrates a front view, and  FIG. 9C  illustrates a bottom view of a PV module system  900  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  910 . The frame  945  of the PV module may be fixedly coupled to the rail  925  using an end bracket  952 . The rail  925  may include a main shaft  927  and two arms  912   a / 912   b  extending away from the main shaft  927  at or near the edge of the frame  945  of the PV module  940 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  910  may be integrally formed with the rail  925  and may extend downwards away from the main shaft  927  as a continuous sheet of material. 
       FIG. 10A  illustrates a side view,  FIG. 10B  illustrates a front view, and  FIG. 10C  illustrates a bottom view of a PV module system  1000  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  1010 . The frame  1045  of the PV module may be fixedly coupled to the rail  1025  using an end bracket  1052 . The rail  1025  may include a main shaft  1027  and two arms  1012   a / 1012   b  extending away from the main shaft  1027  at or near the edge of the frame  1045  of the PV module  1040 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  1010  may be integrally formed with the rail  1025  and may extend downwards away from the main shaft  1027  as a series of tabs  1010   a - 1010   e.    
       FIG. 11A  illustrates a side view, and  FIG. 11B  illustrates a front view of a PV module system  1100  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  1110 . The frame  1145  of the PV module may be fixedly coupled to the rail  1125  using an end bracket  1152 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  1110  may be fixedly coupled to the rail  1125  and may extend downwards away from the rail  1125 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  1110  may be attached to the rail  1125  using fasteners  1120  (such as the fasteners  1120   a / 1120   b ). The fasteners  1120   a / 1120   b  may include any type or style of fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets, among other fasteners. 
     While illustrated as the aeroelastic stabilizer  1110  being significantly wider than the rail  1125  and coupling to the rail  1125  in the middle, in some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  1110  may be coupled to the rail  1125  at any point along the aeroelastic stabilizer  1110 . Additionally or alternatively, the rail  1125  may include arms at the end of the rail  1125  (such as illustrated in  FIG. 9C ) and the aeroelastic stabilizer  1110  may couple to the arms at the end of the rail  1125 . 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a side view, and  FIG. 12B  illustrates a front view of a PV module system  1200  that includes an aeroelastic stabilizer  1210 . The frame  1245  of the PV module may be fixedly coupled to the rail  1225  using an end bracket  1252 . The aeroelastic stabilizer  1210  may include a support  1205  and a series of tabs  1210   a - 1210   e  that may extend downwards away from the support  1205  and are fixedly coupled to the rail  1225 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  1210  may be attached to the rail  1225  using fasteners  1220  (such as the fasteners  1220   a / 1220   b ). The fasteners  1220   a / 1220   b  may include any type or style of fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets, among other fasteners. 
     While illustrated as the aeroelastic stabilizer  1210  being significantly wider than the rail  1225  and coupling to the rail  1225  in the middle, in some embodiments, the aeroelastic stabilizer  1210  may be coupled to the rail  1225  at any point along the aeroelastic stabilizer  1210 . Additionally or alternatively, the rail  1225  may include arms at the end of the rail  1225  (such as illustrated in  FIG. 9C ) and the aeroelastic stabilizer  1210  may couple to the arms at the end of the rail  1125 . For example, the aeroelastic stabilizer  1210  may include discrete tabs coupled to the arms of the rail  1225 . 
     In some embodiments, any of the aeroelastic stabilizers may be positioned at given locations around a site that includes multiple rows of PV modules. For example, the aeroelastic stabilizers may be disposed along an entire row at either end of the site. As another example, the aeroelastic stabilizers may be disposed along all rows except rows at the edge of a site. As an additional example, the aeroelastic stabilizers may be disposed along all edges of a site and intermittently disposed throughout the site. As another example, the aeroelastic stabilizers may be disposed along every third row, every fifth row, or other such spacing. As an additional example the aeroelastic stabilizers may be positioned along every other frame of a PV module along a given row, along every third frame, along every fourth frame, or other such spacing. In some embodiments, half of every other row may include the aeroelastic stabilizers. While various examples are given, it will be appreciated that any arrangement and configuration of aeroelastic stabilizers at various locations throughout a site are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, rather than a component that is coupled to the frame, it will be appreciated that the aeroelastic stabilizers may be formed as part of the frame. For example, a profile of one or more of the frames encasing the PV cells may include one or more features, protrusions, tabs, or other such features that may function to disturb the formation of vortices. In these and other embodiments, such features, protrusions, tabs, or other such features may or may not provide structural support or structural strength to the frame. 
     In addition to being part of the frame (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B and 6A-6B ), coupled to the frame (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8B ), part of the rail (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10C ), or coupled to the frail (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11B and 12A-12B ), the aeroelastic stabilizer may be coupled to the torsion beam itself. For example, a component may be suspended or project from the torsion beam towards an edge of the frame and may include an aeroelastic stabilizing feature in a similar or comparable manner to the rail. 
     While described in the context of a single axis tracker with a torsion beam, it will be appreciated that the principles of the present disclosure are equally applicable to fixed systems and/or dual-axis trackers or other configurations of PV module systems. For example, a fixed frame system may include aeroelastic stabilizers along an edge of the PV module frames attached to the fixed frame system. As another example, aeroelastic stabilizers may be disposed on the edge of PV module frames attached to a dual axis tracker system. 
     Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open terms” (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to.”). 
     Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. 
     In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is expressly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. 
     Further, any disjunctive word or phrase preceding two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both of the terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosure are intended for pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the present disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.