Patent ID: 8807129

Claim:
A solar energy collection system comprising: a first row of solar panels; a first foundation positioned to substantially support said first row of solar panels; at least a second row of solar panels; a second foundation positioned to substantially support the load of said second row of solar panels; one or more support beams supported on said first and second foundations; and a tracker drive system comprising: a first torque element associated with said first row of solar panels; a second torque element associated with second row of solar panels, each of said torque elements being mounted for rotation about a generally north-south axis and supporting said first or second row of solar panels for rotation therewith about the generally north-south axis; a first lever arm and a second lever arm, each said lever arm being connected with one of said first or second torque elements and movable to rotate said first or second torque element; a drive member movable along a path whereby movement of said drive member actuates rotation of said first and second lever arms to rotate said first and second torque elements about said generally north-south axes; and, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled with said drive member to drive said drive member along said path, wherein said drive mechanism is mounted so as to be supported by said first and/or second foundation and wherein said drive mechanism is a linear actuator that is supported on said one or more support beams such that loads exerted by said drive mechanism are transferred to said first foundation and said second foundation.