SUPPORT FOR SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTORS

摘要

A solar energy collection system can include support devices made with bearings formed from sheet material. These bearings can be optionally formed so as to provide tool-less connections to their associated bearing housings. The bearings can be formed with an open configuration allowing a shaft to be inserted into an open bite of the bearing. Optionally, the bearing can be made from an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene plastic material. Additionally, two open-type bearing assemblies can be mounted axially offset and opposed to one another.

主权项

1. A sun-tracking photovoltaic solar collector array, comprising:
a plurality of photovoltaic devices; a support assembly supporting the photovoltaic devices so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, the support assembly comprising: at least a first pivot supporting the plurality of photovoltaic modules; at least a first bearing supporting the first pivot so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis; and at least one pier supporting the bearing at a position above a support surface, the bearing comprising at least a first reduced friction member extending around a first arc of at least about 100 degrees about the first pivot, the first reduced friction member comprising a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the first and second ends being spaced apart sufficiently to allow at least a portion of the first pivot to pass between the first and second ends.