Patent Publication Number: US-2023163718-A1

Title: Mechanical power transmission between solar trackers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 63/264,573 filed Nov. 24, 2021. The 63/264,573 application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiments discussed herein are related to mechanical power transmission between solar trackers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described herein are not prior art to the claims in the present application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     Solar trackers utilized in renewable energy production are devices that track the motion of the sun relative to the earth to maximize the production of solar energy. Solar trackers move to keep solar modules perpendicular to the sun in either one or two axes. The solar modules may include photovoltaic (PV) modules (e.g., modules that convert solar energy to electrical energy), solar thermal modules (e.g., modules that convert solar energy to thermal energy), or solar modules that convert solar energy to some other form. 
     The energy gain provided by solar trackers depends on the tracking geometry of the system and the location of the installation. A dual axis (D/A) solar tracker keeps the solar module perpendicular to the sun in two axes and provides the greatest gain in energy production at any location. Single axis (S/A) solar trackers are fixed in one axis and typically track the daily motion of the sun in the other axis. S/A solar tracker geometries include tilted elevation, azimuth, and horizontal. Tilted elevation S/A trackers are tilted as a function of the location&#39;s latitude and track the sun&#39;s daily motion about that tilted axis. Azimuth S/A solar trackers are tilted at an optimum angle and follow the daily motion of the sun by rotating about the vertical axis. Horizontal S/A solar trackers are configured parallel to the ground and rotate about a North/South horizontal axis to track the sun&#39;s daily motion. The energy gained varies for each type of tracking geometry and is dependent upon the latitude of the installation and the weather conditions at the installation  location. Solar tracking systems for solar modules are commercially available in a variety of geometries, including S/A tilt and roll, S/A horizontal, S/A fixed tilt azimuth, and D/A geometries. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to implementations 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 implementations described herein may be practiced. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In an example embodiment, a system to facilitate installation of a drive linkage in a solar array at or below an installation surface includes a housing and first and second interconnection assemblies. The housing is installed on or below the installation surface and is configured to at least partially enclose and protect the drive linkage at or below the installation surface. The first interconnection assembly extends between a first drive assembly of a first solar tracker supported above the installation surface by a support structure and a first end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface. The second interconnection assembly extends between a second drive assembly of a second solar tracker supported above the installation surface by the support structure and a second end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface. 
     In another example embodiment, a solar array includes first and second solar trackers, a support structure, a drive linkage, and first and second interconnection assemblies. The first solar tracker includes a first torsion tube and a first drive assembly, the first drive assembly operably coupled to the first torsion tube to rotate the first torsion tube responsive to input mechanical power. The second solar tracker includes a second torsion tube and a second drive assembly, the second drive assembly operably coupled to the second torsion tube to rotate the second torsion tube responsive to input mechanical power The support structure supports the first and second solar trackers above an installation surface. The drive linkage is positioned at or below the installation surface and is configured to transmit mechanical power between the first and second solar trackers. The first interconnection assembly operably couples a first end of the drive linkage  at or below an installation surface to the first drive assembly supported above the installation surface by the support structure. The second interconnection assembly operably couples a second end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface to the second drive assembly supported above the installation surface by the support structure. 
     In another example embodiment, a method includes transmitting mechanical power through a drive linkage located at or below an installation surface of a solar array to an interconnection assembly operably coupled to the drive linkage. The method includes transmitting the mechanical power vertically upward through the interconnection assembly to a drive assembly operably coupled to a torsion tube of the solar array. The method includes rotating the torsion tube in response to receiving the mechanical power at the drive assembly. The method includes rotating solar modules of the solar array that are coupled to the torsion tube in response to rotating the torsion tube. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a prior art solar array that includes solar trackers and PV modules; and  
         FIG.  2    illustrates a solar array with one or more drive linkages installed at or below an installation surface, arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein; and 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  illustrate portions of another example solar array with one or more drive linkages installed at or below an installation surface, arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     Solar tracker systems include one or more motors or other drive mechanism to rotate the solar trackers that support the solar modules about one or two axes to track the motion of the sun relative to the earth throughout the day. To reduce costs, a given motor may be shared between two or more solar trackers, e.g., by coupling the motor via drive linkages to the solar trackers. The drive linkages transmit mechanical power from the motor to each of the solar trackers to rotate each solar tracker. 
     Drive linkages extending between solar trackers and/or between the motor and the solar trackers are installed above ground level, typically about 18 inches above ground level. Solar arrays with such solar trackers may include numerous solar modules. The solar modules and/or the solar trackers of solar arrays require periodic maintenance and/or repair. The location of the drive linkages, e.g., 18 inches or other height above ground level, impedes or hinders access to solar modules and/or solar trackers of the solar array when maintenance or repairs are needed. For example, any such drive linkages extending between solar trackers and corresponding solar modules prevent a vehicle carrying tools and/or replacement parts from passing between the rows to reach any of the solar trackers and/or solar modules located past one or more drive linkages. Such drive linkages may alternatively or additionally slow or imperil a worker on foot trying to reach any of the solar trackers or solar modules located past one or more such drive linkages. 
     In comparison, some embodiments herein route drive linkages at or below ground level or more generally at or below an installation surface (e.g., ground level for a ground-mounted solar array, a rooftop for a roof-mounted solar array, etc.). In more detail, the solar trackers of a solar array may include torsion tubes to which PV modules are mounted and drive assemblies mounted above the installation surface to support columns. Each drive assembly may include one or more gears (e.g., worm gears, spur gears, sector gears), sprockets, pulleys, motor drives, gear boxes, cable drives, chains, belts, or the like and may generally be configured to apply mechanical power  supplied by a drive linkage to rotate a torsion tube and its corresponding PV modules. However, the drive linkages may be routed at or below the installation surface through a raceway, conduit, and/or other housing components that house the drive linkages at or below the installation surface. The drive linkages may interconnect with the drive assemblies of the solar trackers through interconnection assemblies, each of which may include one or more gears, sprockets, pulleys, gear boxes, chains, belts, driveshafts, or other interconnection components. The interconnection assemblies may be considered part of or separate from the drive linkage(s). In an example implementation, each interconnection assembly operably couples a drive linkage positioned at or below the installation surface to a drive assembly of the solar tracker. A drive linkage may be considered to be “at” an installation surface if a rotational axis of the drive linkage is not more than 2 inches, 4 inches, or 6 inches above the installation surface. The drive linkage is supported at both ends by pillow block bearings which may be included as part of the drive linkage and/or the interconnection assembly. The interconnection assembly includes a lower sprocket coupled to one end of the drive shaft, an upper sprocket spaced apart from and above the lower sprocket and coupled to a shaft of a drive assembly of the solar tracker, and a drive chain that mechanically couples the upper and lower sprockets together. The shaft is operably coupled (directly or through one or more other components) to rotate the solar tracker responsive to input mechanical power received from the driveshaft through the interconnection assembly. 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe various aspects of example embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a prior art solar array  100  that includes solar trackers  102  and PV modules  104 . Only some of the solar trackers  102  and PV modules  104  are labeled for simplicity. This labeling convention is implemented for all components in all figures herein. The solar array  100  further includes drive linkages  106 , support columns  108 , and drive mechanism  110 . The drive mechanism  110  may include a drive motor or other suitable drive mechanism The drive linkages  106  transmit mechanical power generated by the drive mechanism  110  between solar trackers  102 . The support columns  108  support the solar trackers  102  and/or PV modules  104  above an installation surface  112 . The installation surface  112  may include ground, a roof of a building or upper surface of other structure, or other suitable installation surface.  
     The solar trackers  102  include drive assemblies  114  and torsion tubes  116 . Each torsion tube  116  is rotatably supported by one or more support columns  108 . For example, each support column  108  may include or have attached at its upper end a bearing  118  with bearing surfaces such as no maintenance polymer bushings. The torsion tubes  116  are received through the bearings  118  atop the support columns  108 , the PV modules  104  being mounted to the torsion tubes  116  using any suitable couplers such as U bolts, clamps, or the like. In the illustrated example, each drive assembly  114  includes a worm-gear drive box. The drive mechanism  110  drives each worm-gear drive box directly or indirectly via a corresponding one of the drive linkages  106 . In turn, each worm-gear drive box rotates a corresponding one of the torsion tubes  116 , thereby causing the PV modules  104  mounted to the torsion tubes  116  to rotate. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the drive linkages  106  are installed above the installation surface  112 , at or near the upper end of each support column  108 . In a typical installation, the drive linkages  106  may be installed about  18  inches above ground level, for instance. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , a vehicle would be unable to pass completely between solar trackers  102  and/or rows of PV modules  104  when the drive linkages  106  are installed. The vehicle could be driven around the solar array  100  to access the other side but this may be slow and/or cumbersome. While a worker could potentially step over any of the drive linkages  106  to pass from one side to the other, this may slow the worker and/or create a risk of tripping the worker as the worker steps from one side of the drive linkage  106  to the other. Alternatively or additionally, the drive linkages  106  may interfere with or slow grounds maintenance equipment such as lawn mowers. 
     Embodiments herein include solar arrays with one or more drive linkages installed at or below an installation surface to permit vehicles, workers, grounds maintenance equipment, or the like to more easily and/or safely pass over. For example,  FIG.  2    illustrates a solar array  200  with one or more drive linkages installed at or below an installation surface, arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein. The solar array  200  includes solar trackers  202 , PV modules  204 , drive linkages  206  (including  206 A,  206 B), support columns  208 , drive mechanism  210 , interconnection assemblies  212  (including  212 A,  212 B,  212 C,  212 D), and drive linkage housings  214  (including  214 A,  214 B). The drive mechanism  210  may include a drive motor or other suitable drive mechanism. The drive linkages  206  transmit mechanical power generated by the drive mechanism  210  between solar trackers  202 . The support columns  208  support the solar trackers  202  and/or PV modules  204  above an installation surface  216 . The  installation surface  216  may include ground, a roof of a building or upper surface of other structure, or other suitable installation surface. 
     As illustrated, each housing  214  is installed on the installation surface  216 , e.g., at ground level or the installation surface, and may at least partially enclose and protect the drive linkage  206  from the environment and/or vehicles, workers, etc., that pass over the drive linkage  206 . For example, the housing  214  may have sufficient structural strength to permit vehicles, workers, etc. to drive, walk, or otherwise pass over it, and thus over the drive linkage  206 , without damaging or contacting the drive linkage  206 . In this and other embodiments, the housing  214  may also at least partially enclose electrical wiring such as may be implemented as an electrical output bus in a PV array, plumbing such as may be implemented as a thermal output bus in a solar thermal array, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  214  is implemented as a raceway of plastic, galvanized steel, or other suitable material installed on the installation surface  216 . More generally, the housing  214  may include a raceway, e.g., an above-ground raceway, a conduit, e.g., a below-ground conduit installed in a trench below the installation surface  216 , or other suitable housing installed on or below the installation surface  216 . 
     The drive linkages  212  may be coupled to or mounted on or in the housings  214  and/or the installation surface  216 , e.g., with pillow block bearings, as described in more detail below. 
     The solar trackers  202  include drive assemblies  218  (including  218 A,  218 B,  218 C) and torsion tubes  220  (including  220 A,  220 B,  220 C). Each torsion tube  220  is rotatably supported by one or more support columns  208 . For example, each support column  208  may include or have attached at its upper end one or more bearings  222  with bearing surfaces such as no maintenance polymer bushings. The torsion tubes  220  are received through the bearings  222  atop the support columns  208 . The solar modules (not shown in  FIG.  2   ) are mounted to the torsion tubes  220  using couplers, U bolts, clamps, or other suitable couplers. 
     As illustrated, the solar array  200  includes fewer drive mechanisms  210  than torsion tubes  220 , the drive mechanism  210  being shared between all three of the illustrated torsion tubes  220 . The drive mechanism  210  is coupled to the drive assembly  218 B without any intervening drive linkages  206  or linkage assemblies  212 . For example, the drive mechanism  210  may be directly coupled to the drive assembly  218 B. Mechanical power output by drive mechanism  210  may be coupled into the drive assembly  212 B to rotate the torsion tube  220 B.  
     Each interconnection assembly  212  may generally be configured to relocate and/or transmit mechanical power vertically, e.g., from one of the drive assemblies  218  above the installation surface  216  to one of the drive linkages  206  at or below the installation surface  216  or from one of the drive linkages  206  at or below the installation surface  216  to one of the drive assemblies  218  above the installation surface  216 . Each interconnection assembly  212  may generally be coupled between a drive assembly  218  and an end of a drive linkage  206 . For example, the interconnection assembly  212 A is coupled between the drive assembly  218 A and one end of the drive linkage  206 A, the interconnection assembly  212 B is coupled between the drive assembly  218 B and the other end of the drive linkage  206 A, the interconnection assembly  212 C is coupled between the drive assembly  218 B and one end of the drive linkage  206 B, and the interconnection assembly  212 D is coupled between the drive assembly  218 C and the other end of the drive linkage  206 B. 
     As already mentioned, mechanical power output by drive mechanism  210  may be coupled to the drive assembly  212 B. Some of the mechanical power is relocated and/or transmitted vertically downward from the drive assembly  212 B through the interconnection assembly  212 B into the drive linkage  206 A. The mechanical power is then transmitted through the drive linkage  206 A into the interconnection assembly  212 A and vertically upward through the interconnection assembly  212 A to the drive assembly  218 A to rotate the torsion tube  220 A. Similarly, some of the mechanical power is relocated and/or transmitted vertically downward from the drive assembly  212 C through the interconnection assembly  212 C into the drive linkage  206 B. The mechanical power is then transmitted through the drive linkage  206 B into the interconnection assembly  212 D and vertically upward through the interconnection assembly  212 D to the drive assembly  218 C to rotate the torsion tube  220 C. 
     Each interconnection assembly  212  may include any combination of two or more interconnection components to relocate and/or transmit mechanical power vertically between drive assemblies  218  and drive linkages  206 , such as sprockets, gears, pulleys, chains, driveshafts, belts, or other interconnection components An example implementation is described in more detail below in connection with  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  illustrate portions of another example solar array  300  array with one or more drive linkages installed at or below an installation surface, arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described herein.  FIG.  3 A  is a perspective view of the solar array  300  and   FIGS.  3 B and  3 C  include detail views thereof. The solar array  300  of  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  includes solar trackers  302 , PV modules or other solar modules (not shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C ) such as the PV modules  204  of  FIG.  2   , drive linkages  304 , support columns  306  (or other support structures), at least one drive mechanism (not shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C ), interconnection assemblies  308 , and drive linkage housings  310  (hereinafter “housings  310 ” or “housing  310 ”) (only one housing  310  is depicted in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  but more generally each drive linkage  304  may be at least partially enclosed within such a housing  310 ). The drive mechanism may include a drive motor or other suitable drive mechanism. The drive linkages  304  transmit mechanical power generated by the drive mechanism between solar trackers  302 . The support columns  306  support the solar trackers  302  and/or PV modules above an installation surface  312 . The installation surface  312  may include ground, a roof of a building or upper surface of other structure, or other suitable installation surface. The various components of the solar array  300  may include, be included in, or correspond to the similarly named components of the solar array  200  of  FIG.  2   . 
     As illustrated, the housing  310  is installed on the installation surface  312 , e.g., at ground level, and may at least partially enclose and protect the drive linkage  304  from the environment and/or vehicles, workers, etc., that pass over the drive linkage  304 . For example, the housing  310  may have sufficient structural strength to permit vehicles, workers, etc. to drive, walk, or otherwise pass over it, and thus over the drive linkage  304 , without damaging or contacting the drive linkage  304 . In this and other embodiments, the housing  310  may also at least partially enclose electrical wiring such as may be implemented as an electrical output bus in a PV array, plumbing such as may be implemented as a thermal output bus in a solar thermal array, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  310  is implemented as a raceway of plastic, galvanized steel, or other suitable material installed on the installation surface  312 . More generally, the housing  310  may include a raceway, e.g., an above-ground raceway, a conduit, e.g., a below-ground conduit installed in a trench below the installation surface  312 , or other suitable housing installed on or below the installation surface  312 . 
     The drive linkages  304  may be coupled to or mounted on or in the housing  310  and/or the installation surface  312  with pillow block bearings  314 , only one of which is visible in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . In some embodiments, at least two pillow block bearings  314  couple or mount each drive linkage  304  to a corresponding housing  310  and/or the installation surface  312 , including one pillow block bearing  314  at each end of the drive linkage  304 . The end of each drive linkage   304  may be received through a corresponding pillow block bearing  314  which may support rotation of the drive linkage  304  relative to, e.g., the housing  310 . 
     The solar trackers  302  include drive assemblies  316  and torsion tubes  318 . Each torsion tube  318  is rotatably supported by one or more support columns  306 . For example, each support column  306  may include or have attached at its upper end one or more bearings  320  with bearing surfaces such as no maintenance polymer bushings. The torsion tubes  318  are received through the bearings  320  atop the support columns  306 . The solar modules (not shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C ) are mounted to the torsion tubes  318  using couplers  322 , U bolts, clamps, or other suitable couplers. 
     Each interconnection assembly  308  may generally be configured to relocate and/or transmit mechanical power vertically, e.g., from one of the drive assemblies  316  above the installation surface  312  to one of the drive linkages  304  at or below the installation surface  312  or from one of the drive linkages  304  at or below the installation surface  312  to one of the drive assemblies  316  above the installation surface  312 . For example, suppose in  FIG.  3 A  mechanical power is generated by a drive motor or other drive mechanism (not shown in  FIG.  3 A ) and transmitted through the rightmost drive linkage  304 . In this example, the rightmost interconnection assembly  308  coupled between the rightmost drive linkage  304  and the rightmost drive assembly  316  may relocate and/or transmit mechanical power from the rightmost drive linkage  304  vertically upward to the rightmost drive assembly  316 . Further in this example, the middle interconnection assembly  308  coupled between the rightmost drive assembly  316  and the leftmost drive linkage  304  may relocate and/or transmit mechanical power vertically downward from the rightmost drive assembly  316  to the leftmost drive linkage  304 . Further still in this example, the leftmost interconnection assembly  308  coupled between the leftmost drive linkage  304  and the leftmost drive assembly  316  may relocate and/or transmit mechanical power vertically upward from the leftmost drive linkage  304  to the leftmost drive assembly  316 . By vertically relocating mechanical power between the drive assemblies  316  and the drive linkages  304 , the drive linkages  304  may be installed at or below the installation surface  312  where they are less likely to interfere with vehicles, workers, grounds maintenance equipment, etc. while the solar trackers  302 , including their drive assemblies  316 , may remain supported above the installation surface  312  where necessary to enable solar tracking. 
     Each interconnection assembly  308  may include any combination of two or more interconnection components to relocate and/or transmit mechanical power vertically between drive assemblies  316  and drive linkages  304 , such as sprockets, gears, pulleys, chains, driveshafts, or other interconnection components. In the illustrated embodiment, and referring to  FIGS.  3 B and  3 C , each interconnection assembly  308  includes one or two upper sprockets  324 , one or two lower sprockets  326 , and one or two drive chains  328 . Each upper sprocket  324  is operably coupled to a corresponding one of the drive assemblies  316 . Each lower sprocket  326  is operably coupled to a corresponding end of a corresponding one of the drive linkages  304 . Each drive chain  328  operably couples a corresponding one of the upper sprockets  324  and a corresponding one of the lower sprockets  326  together. 
     Each upper sprocket  324  is axially aligned with and coupled to a shaft (e.g., of a worm gear as described below) of the corresponding drive assembly  316  such that the upper sprocket  324  rotates with the shaft in response to rotation of the shaft and/or such that the shaft rotates in response to rotation of the upper sprocket  324 . Each lower sprocket  326  is axially aligned with and coupled to the end of the corresponding drive linkage  304  such that the lower sprocket  326  rotates with the drive linkage  304  in response to rotation of the drive linkage  304  and/or such that the drive linkage  304  rotates in response to rotation of the lower sprocket  326 . The upper and lower sprockets  324 ,  326  have teeth that mesh with the corresponding drive chain  328  such that rotation of the upper sprocket  324  translates through the drive chain  328  to rotation of the lower sprocket  326  and/or such that rotation of lower sprocket  326  translates through the drive chain  328  to rotation of the upper sprocket  324 . The couplings between the various components of the interconnection assembly  308  result in mechanical power received from one of the drive linkages  304  at the corresponding lower sprocket  326  being output at the corresponding upper sprocket  324  to the corresponding drive assembly  316  and/or in mechanical power received from one of the drive assemblies  316  at the corresponding upper sprocket  324  being output at the corresponding lower sprocket  326  to the corresponding drive linkage  304 . 
     In the illustrated example, each drive assembly  316  includes a worm-gear drive box  330 , a spur-gear drive box  332 , and a sector gear  334 . Each worm-gear drive box  330  includes a worm gear (not shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C ) with one or two exposed end shafts  336 A,  336 B (not labeled in  FIG.  3 A ) (hereinafter collectively “end shafts  336 ” or generically “end shaft  336 ”). One or both of the end shafts  336  may each be operably coupled to a corresponding one of the upper  sprockets  324 . The upper sprocket  324  is axially aligned with and operably coupled to the corresponding end shaft  336  such that rotation of the upper sprocket  324  rotates the corresponding worm gear and/or rotation of the corresponding worm gear rotates the upper sprocket  324 . 
     Each spur-gear drive box  332  includes a first and second spur gear (not shown). The first spur gear meshes with the worm gear of the worm-gear drive box  330  such that rotation of the worm gear rotates the first spur gear and/or rotation of the first spur gear rotates the worm gear. The second spur gear is formed on or coupled to a same shaft as the first spur gear, the first and second spur gears sharing a common axis, such that rotation of the first spur gear rotates the second spur gear and/or rotation of the second spur gear rotates the first spur gear. 
     Each sector gear  334  is mounted to a corresponding torsion tube  318 . The sector gear  334  meshes with the corresponding second spur gear of the corresponding spur-gear drive box  332  and is configured to rotate in response to rotation of the second spur gear. When solar modules are mounted to the torsion tube  318 , the solar modules may thereby be rotated throughout the day for solar tracking by rotating the torsion tube  318  through operation of the corresponding drive linkages  304 , interconnection assemblies  308 , and drive assemblies  316  as described herein. 
     Substitutions, modifications, additions, etc. may be made to  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  without altering the scope of the disclosure. For example, the interconnection assemblies  308  may be implemented with different, additional, fewer, and/or modified interconnection components. Similarly, the drive assemblies  316  may be implemented with different, additional, fewer, and/or modified components. 
     At least one embodiment herein may include a system to facilitate installation of a drive linkage in a solar array at or below an installation surface. The system may include a housing and first and second interconnection assemblies. The housing may be installed on or below the installation surface and may be configured to at least partially enclose and protect the drive linkage at or below the installation surface. An example of such a housing is illustrated as the housings  214  in  FIG.  2    and the housing  310  in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C . The first interconnection assembly may extend between a first drive assembly of a first solar tracker supported above the installation surface by a support structure and a first end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface. An example of such first interconnection assembly, first drive assembly, first solar tracker, support structure, and first end of the drive linkage are illustrated in  FIG.  3 A  as, respectively, the middle interconnection assembly  308 , the rightmost drive assembly  316 , the rightmost solar tracker  302 ,  the rightmost support column  306  (all of the support columns  306  collectively forming a support structure which could alternatively take a form other than support columns), and the rightmost end of the leftmost drive linkage  304 . The second interconnection assembly may extend between a second drive assembly of a second solar tracker supported above the installation surface by the support structure and a second end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface. An example of such second interconnection assembly, second drive assembly, second solar tracker, support structure, and second end of the drive linkage are illustrated in  FIG.  3 A  as, respectively, the leftmost interconnection assembly  308 , the leftmost drive assembly  316 , the leftmost solar tracker  302 , the leftmost support column  306  (all of the support columns  306  collectively forming a support structure which could alternatively take a form other than support columns), and the leftmost end of the leftmost drive linkage  304  (the leftmost end of the leftmost drive linkage  304  not being visible in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C ). 
     At least one other embodiment herein may include a solar array, that includes first and second solar trackers, solar modules, a support structure, a drive linkage, and first and second interconnection assemblies. The first solar tracker may include a first torsion tube and a first drive assembly, examples of which include the rightmost solar tracker  302 , the rightmost torsion tube  318 , and the rightmost drive assembly  316 . The first drive assembly may be operably coupled to the first torsion tube to rotate the first torsion tube responsive to input mechanical power. The second solar tracker may include a second torsion tube and a second drive assembly, examples of which include the leftmost solar tracker  302 , the leftmost torsion tube  318 , and the leftmost drive assembly  316 . The second drive assembly may be operably coupled to the second torsion tube to rotate the second torsion tube responsive to input mechanical power. The solar modules may be coupled to the first and second torsion tubes. The support structure may support the first and second solar trackers above an installation site. The support structure may include support columns or other support structure, an example of which includes the support columns  306 . The drive linkage may be positioned at or below the installation surface, an example of which includes the leftmost drive linkage  304 . The drive linkage may be configured to transmit mechanical power between the first and second solar trackers. The first interconnection assembly may operably couple a first end of the drive linkage at or below an installation surface to the first drive assembly supported above the installation surface by the support structure, an example of which includes the middle interconnection assembly  308 . The second interconnection assembly may operably couple a  second end of the drive linkage at or below the installation surface to the second drive assembly supported above the installation surface by the second support column, an example of which includes the leftmost interconnection assembly  308 . 
     At least one other embodiment herein may include a method of operating and/or installing a solar array. The method may include transmitting mechanical power through a drive linkage located at or below an installation surface of a solar array to an interconnection assembly operably coupled to the drive linkage. The mechanical power may be transmitted vertically upward through the interconnection assembly to a drive assembly operably coupled to a torsion tube of the solar array. The torsion tube may be rotated in response to receiving the mechanical power at the drive assembly. The method may also include rotating solar modules of the solar array that are coupled to the torsion tube in response to rotating the torsion tube. Transmitting the mechanical power through the drive linkage located at or below the installation surface may include transmitting the mechanical power through a drive linkage housing that at least partially encloses the drive linkage. The method may additionally include digging a trench through the installation surface and installing the drive linkage in the housing within the trench below the installation surface and/or burying the drive linkage in the housing below the installation surface. The method may alternatively include installing the drive linkage in the housing on the installation surface by coupling the housing to the installation surface (e.g., using screws, earth screws, masonry screws, bolts, lag bolts, anchors, concrete anchors, expanding anchors, nails, or the like). The method may further include transmitting the mechanical power vertically downward from the drive assembly through a second interconnection assembly to a second drive linkage located at or below the installation surface and operably coupled to the second interconnection assembly. The mechanical power may be transmitted through the second drive linkage to a third interconnection assembly operably coupled to the second drive linkage. The mechanical power may be transmitted vertically upward through the third interconnection assembly to a second drive assembly operably coupled to a second torsion tube of the solar array. The second torsion tube may be rotated in response to receiving the mechanical power at the second drive assembly. A second set of solar modules of the solar array that are coupled to the second torsion tube may be rotated in response to rotating the second torsion tube. 
     Unless specific arrangements described herein are mutually exclusive with one another, the various implementations described herein can be combined to enhance system functionality or  to produce complementary functions. Likewise, aspects of the implementations may be implemented in standalone arrangements. Thus, the above description has been given by way of example only and modification in detail may be made within the scope of the present invention. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. 
     In general, terms used herein, 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,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that 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.). Also, a phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.