Solar system alignment tool and method

Abstract

An alignment tool for aligning torque tubes of the solar collection system can include a rigid body member and two laterally extending alignment arms. Optionally, the alignment arms can include releasable clamps that can engage and disengage without the use of tools. The tool can be designed to straddle a sun-tracking drive of a sun-tracking solar system. Thus, the tool can be used both during initial construction as well as after construction is complete for alignment purposes.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system including rotationally-aligned torque tubes, the system comprising:
 a first torque tube configured to rotate about an axis, the first torque tube having a first reference surface at an end portion of the first torque tube;   a second torque tube configured to rotate about the axis and displaced from the first torque tube along the axis, the second torque tube having a second reference surface at an end portion of the second torque tube, wherein the first reference surface is rotationally aligned with and axially displaced from the second reference surface; and   a plurality of solar collection devices supported by the first torque tube and the second torque tube.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a drive disposed between the first torque tube and the second torque tube, the drive configured to cause at least one of the first torque tube and the second torque tube to rotate about the axis. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the drive comprises a drive member secured to the first torque tube and a motor configured to rotate the drive member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the drive comprises a third reference surface aligned with and abutting the first reference surface of the first torque tube. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a first drive plate at the end portion of the first torque tube and a second drive plate at an output end of the drive, the first drive plate secured to the second drive plate. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a third drive plate at the end portion of the second torque tube and a fourth drive plate on the drive at an end of the drive opposite the output end, the third drive plate secured to the fourth drive plate. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first drive plate comprises a first reference portion that includes the first reference surface, and wherein the first reference portion is horizontal relative to gravity when a corresponding solar collection device is in a horizontal orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first reference portion comprises a protrusion that extends radially and outwardly relative to the axis. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a pile secured to a ground surface, the drive disposed at a top end portion of the pile. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a controller configured to control the operation of the drive. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of solar collection devices comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of solar collection devices comprises a plurality of concentrated photovoltaic devices. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second reference surfaces are aligned to within about 0.02 degrees of rotation about the axis. 
     
     
         15 . A torque tube alignment and drive system, the system comprising:
 a first torque tube configured to rotate about an axis, the first torque tube comprising a first drive plate at an end portion of the first torque tube, the first drive plate comprising a first reference surface;   a pile secured to a ground surface;   a drive coupled with an upper portion of the pile, the drive configured to cause the first torque tube to rotate about the axis, the drive comprising an output end axially adjacent the end portion of the first torque tube, wherein the drive comprises a second drive plate at the output end, the second drive plate comprising a second reference surface aligned with and abutting the first reference surface; and   a solar collection device supported by the first torque tube.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a second torque tube configured to rotate about the axis and displaced from the first torque tube along the axis, the second torque tube having a third reference surface at an end portion of the second torque tube, wherein the first reference surface is aligned with and axially displaced from the third reference surface. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the drive comprises a drive member secured to the first torque tube and a motor configured to rotate the drive member. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the solar collection device comprises a photovoltaic panel or a concentrated photovoltaic device. 
     
     
         19 . A torque tube alignment and drive system, the system comprising:
 a first torque tube configured to rotate about an axis, the first torque tube having a first horizontal reference surface;   a second torque tube configured to rotate about the axis, the first torque tube having a second horizontal reference surface;   a drive disposed between the first torque tube and the second torque tube, the drive having a third horizontal reference surface, wherein the first horizontal surface, the second horizontal surface, and the third horizontal surface are parallel to one another; and   a plurality of solar collection devices supported by the first torque tube and the second torque tube.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a pile secured to a ground surface, the drive disposed at a top end portion of the pile. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the solar collection device comprises a photovoltaic panel or a concentrated photovoltaic device.