Sun tracking solar power collection system

Abstract

This invention presents a unique design for a sun tracking, solar panel mounting system that is intended to be mounted onto utility light poles, wind turbine poles, and other pole type structures. Rings are clamped around the pole and form a structural interface to support the tracking mount assembly and allow it to rotate around the centerline of the pole. An actuator powers the tracking structure rotate right or left around the centerline of the pole. A secondary structure in the mount assembly supports solar panels on either side of the vertical mounting poll and an optional second actuator tilts the elevation solar panels up and down. A control system reads the position of each actuator and periodically adjusts them to track the motion of the sun and optimize the solar energy collection efficiency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to solar energy electrical power collection systems and specifically to the design of a solar panel mounting system that is mounted on pole structures and tracks the movement of the sun with a single or dual axis motion and programmable control.[0003]Utility poles for lighting, power, communications, and wind turbines are prevalent in today's landscape. They are existing industrial structures that can be utilized to support solar panels and they also provide convenient access to the local power grid. These are attractive features for solar power collection systems as part of a distributed generation system. Using existing poles for a mounting structure greatly reduces the cost to install the solar panels and no additional real estate is required. Utilizing existing poles also provides an easy access to the electrical grid so that power produced by the solar panels does not need to be stored but ca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a system that tracks the sun using two motors. This allows the solar panels to move in both directions, which increases the amount of sunlight they can capture and convert into energy. The system also reduces the wind load on the panels, which can make them more durable and reliable.

Problems solved by technology

This would not be an effective approach if the purpose was to generate excess electrical power to be fed back into the electrical grid.

This approach does not lend itself for retrofitting onto existing utility poles and it would also be impossible to use on a wind turbine pole where the top of the pole is occupied by the turbine itself.

This design limits the potential installation sites.

These top mounted configurations cannot be easily mounted to the midsection of the pole where there is adequate area and access.

The structure and drive mechanism of these top mounted poles systems are not designed to encircle the pole.

It would be difficult or impossible to slip the mechanism over the top of the pole and slide it down into a middle position.

These types of mounting systems can only be installed on the tops of the poles and this is not a convenient location for installation or maintenance and it would be impossible to use on a pole that is supporting a wind turbine.

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