REFOLDING OF SOLAR ENERGY DEVICES.

Abstract

One method may include obtaining a normal set point for a solar panel and measuring the wind speed corresponding to the wind affecting the solar panel. The method may include determining an allowable range of tilt angles according to a reference table that describes a relationship between the wind speed measurement and the allowable range of tilt angles. The method may include identifying whether the normal set point of the solar panel is outside the allowable range of tilt angles, and upon identifying that the normal set point of the solar panel is outside the allowable range of tilt angles, determining a temporary retraction set point. The method may include rotating the solar panel to the temporary retraction set point.

Description

FOLDING OF SOLAR ENERGY DEVICES necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi Field of Invention The present invention relates generally to the folding of solar energy devices and, in particular, to the folding of solar energy devices in response to external forces, for example, those caused by wind. Background of the Invention Solar panels and solar arrays have been in use for years. Solar panels have been installed on homes and businesses for localized electricity generation. In addition, large sites have been created where rows of solar panels are used for large-scale electricity generation. However, environmental forces, such as wind, act on solar panels, which can cause damage or even catastrophic failure of the solar panels and the associated mounting infrastructure and hardware. The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to methods that solve a particular problem or operate only in environments such as those described. Rather, this background information is provided only to illustrate an example technology area in which some of the methods described herein can be practiced. Ref. 345506 Brief Description of the Invention One or more embodiments of the present invention may include systems and methods that act to manipulate the positioning of one or more solar panels to prevent them from being damaged in the presence of adverse conditions, such as wind. In one example, a method includes obtaining meteorological information, such as wind speed, from a suitable wind gauge associated with a solar installation or one or more solar panels. The method may include identifying whether the detected wind speed could adversely affect one or more of the solar panels due, for example, to their current position relative to the prevailing wind conditions. In response, the method may include repositioning (or maintaining the current position if optimal) one or more of the solar panels to reduce the wind forces acting upon them. For example, the method may reposition one or more of the panels so that they are within a range of roll-off angles determined to be optimal for the given wind conditions (such as wind speed and direction). One or more embodiments of the present invention necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi may include a system comprising one or more rows of solar panels. The solar panels may be operatively connected to one or more actuators, sometimes referred to as solar trackers. The actuators may adjust the orientation of one or more rows of solar panels, for example, by rotating a torsion tube operatively attached to a row of panels. Rotation of the torsion tube results in a change in the angular orientation of the solar panels connected to it. The system may include a programmable controller configured to perform one or more operations related to the operation of the system. For example, the operations may include obtaining current meteorological information, such as wind speed, and determining whether the detected wind speed exceeds a predetermined threshold speed for a given orientation of the panels.If the wind speed is greater than a predetermined threshold value (indicating potential damage to the solar panels), operations may include having the actuator reposition (e.g., by rotating a torsion tube) one or more solar panels to be within an acceptable range of fold-down angles for the given wind condition. The systems and methods of the present invention therefore provide the ability to react to current weather conditions, such as wind, in a manner that reduces the potential for damage to the solar panels of a given system. It should be understood that both the brief general description above and the following detailed description serve as examples and are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Brief Description of the Figures The accompanying figures contain preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the aforementioned and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these figures represent only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The present invention will be described and explained in greater specificity and detail by use of the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system to facilitate the folding of solar panels. Figure 2 is a flowchart of an example of a tracking algorithm that directs one or more operations of an intelligent retraction system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a first lookup table. Figure 4 illustrates an example modality of a necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi second lookup table. Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for generating a lookup table. Figure 6 illustrates another example system that illustrates the folding of several rows of solar panels. Figure 7 illustrates several views of an example row of solar panels progressing through an example graded response by folding the solar panels. Figure 8 illustrates several views of an example row of solar panels progressing through several example corrective actions and one concluding example action. Figure 9 is a flowchart of an example method 900 for folding solar panels according to the present invention. Figure 10 is an example computer system. All of this in accordance with at least one modality described in the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention One or more embodiments of the present invention may relate, among other things, to the repositioning of solar panels. For example, reorienting one or more solar panels to an advantageous position (sometimes called a folded or reclined position) may be necessary due to adverse weather conditions. For example, solar panels may be repositioned to prevent rain or snow from accumulating on them. As another example, solar panels may be repositioned to reduce drag forces caused by wind flow acting on them.Many existing systems that use a retraction operation have a binary option where, if a weather service or wind sensor for a solar site detects a certain wind speed, the entire site tilts to a predetermined retraction orientation at a shallow angle (e.g., near horizontal) to reduce the possibility of damage from wind forces. However, doing so can result in decreased solar power production, especially if the solar panels are no longer optimally oriented toward the sun due to the shallow retraction angle. Additionally, or alternatively, retraction of solar panels at a shallow angle can reduce the aerodynamic stability of the retracted panels because the formation of vortices along the edges of the retracted panels can cause them to oscillate (a phenomenon known as galloping).Therefore, the process of folding solar panels in response to strong winds often involves a trade-off between reducing drag forces and maintaining the aerodynamic stability of the solar panels. One or more embodiments of the present invention may overcome one or more of these deficiencies by more accurately detecting the conditions that warrant folding (or repositioning) the solar panels and providing smarter folding orientations for a given condition. In some configurations, one or more sensors may be arranged on a given row or set of rows of panels that are operatively connected to the same tracking actuator. The sensor(s) may be configured to monitor the relevant forces and / or displacement of the given row or set of rows of panels. For example, the sensor may include a strain gauge (or similar) that monitors the forces imposed on the given row by, for example, wind. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensors may measure the rotation of a torsion tube to which the solar panels are attached within a solar tracking system. Alternatively, or in addition, a sensor may measure the current wind speed acting on the solar panels. In response to conditions detected by one or more sensors, corrective action can be taken. For example, a given row of solar panels could be rotated a certain number of degrees until a measured force (or wind speed, or any other relevant parameter) falls below a second threshold. Because conditions often vary even within the same solar site, in some modalities, the corrective response can occur row by row or region by region, rather than across the entire site. To aid in describing exemplary embodiments, words such as up, down, forward, backward, right, and left may be used to describe the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that the embodiments may be arranged in other positions, used in a variety of situations, and may perform several different functions. Furthermore, the figures may be to scale and may illustrate various configurations, arrangements, aspects, and features of solar tracking systems. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention may include other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements depending, for example, on the intended use or the scale of the project. In addition, solar tracking systems may include any suitable number or combination of aspects, features, and the like. A detailed description of some exemplary embodiments follows. Figure 1 illustrates an example solar tracking system necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi that can facilitate the folding of solar panels. As illustrated in Figure 1, the system 100 can include a programmable controller 110 communicating with one or more sensors 120 and an actuator 130. The actuator 130 can communicate with a row of solar panels 140 (or several rows of solar panels), which are movably supported by the tracking system via a torsion tube 150 that is capable of rotating and thus rotating the solar panels 140. The controller 110 can be configured to provide guidance to the actuator 130 regarding the orientation in which the solar panels 140 are to be positioned by rotating the torsion tube 150.In these and other configurations, one or more controllers 110 can be located on-site and coupled directly or indirectly to the solar panels for which the controllers 110 control operations. Alternatively, the controller 110 can include an off-site control system (e.g., in a remotely operated control center) such that the off-site control system can receive information from the solar panel system and send one or more control signals to the solar panel system based on the information received. During ordinary operations, the actuator 130 can facilitate tracking the sun's position relative to the solar panels 140 so that the solar panels 140 can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the sun or substantially perpendicular to the east-west portion of the sun's irradiation, which can facilitate increased electricity generation.As described in this document, in some embodiments, system 100 can monitor one or more sensors 120 and, based on the detected conditions, system 100 can take corrective action. For example, actuator 130 can move the solar panels to a position better able to withstand the drag forces caused by wind flow. As another example, a secondary function such as damping or braking can be applied, again based on the conditions detected by the sensor. In some embodiments, the sensors 120 may be arranged in any of a variety of locations to monitor the forces experienced by the solar panels 140. For example, a sensor 120 may include a strain gauge disposed within or along the edge of the frame 160 or mounting brackets 170 for the solar panels 140. Although any suitable bracket may be used, an example of an exemplary mounting bracket implementation is described in U.S. Patent 9,281,778, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi in full. As another example, the sensor 120 may include a torque sensor associated with the torsion tube 150 that is configured to detect forces imposed on the torsion tube 150 (e.g., due to wind forces imposed on the solar panels connected thereto).As a further example, sensor 120 may include a displacement or stroke monitor along with a damper 180 coupled to the solar panels 140. In these and other embodiments, the damper 180 may be used for monitoring purposes and / or may be used to provide damping action to resist and / or mediate the forces applied to the solar panels 140. Alternatively, the damper may be implemented as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,771,007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As a further example, sensor 120 may include an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope along the edge of the frame 160 or mounting brackets 170 for the solar panels 140 to monitor a physical position, movement, and / or degree of rotation with respect to an expected physical position, movement, and / or degree of rotation.As another example, the sensor 120 may include a laser or other light-emitting device oriented along an edge of the solar panels 140 and / or their frames 160 to detect movement, displacement, contortion, distortion, and / or variations along the surface. As a further example, the sensor 120 may include an inclinometer disposed along an edge of the solar panels 140 and / or their frames 160 to detect the amount of tilt experienced by the solar panels 140. Although several examples of sensors 120 and / or their locations are identified, it will be appreciated that any sensor 120 in any location in the system 100 that facilitates the detection of a property related to and / or associated with the forces applied to the solar panels 140 may be used in accordance with the present invention. In some configurations, the data from sensor 120 can be monitored over time. For example, the data from sensor 120 can be compared to a threshold as an absolute value, or as a rate of change. In some configurations, the data from sensor 120 can be compared as a difference in the normal forces experienced throughout the day when solar tracking is performed. For example, sensor 120 may include a strain gauge arranged within the frame 160 of one or more of the solar panels, within one or more of the mounting brackets 170 that support the panels, and / or the torsion tube 150 to monitor external forces. In these and other configurations, there may be a certain amount of reference strain due to gravity and / or torsional forces due to the tracker's rotation to follow the sun.The difference in tension from typical values ​​can make it easier to determine whether or not corrective action should be taken. In some modalities, the threshold for taking corrective action may be based on a threshold value (e.g., a certain amount of stress as an absolute value may trigger corrective action), a threshold value for a threshold duration of time (e.g., a certain amount of stress is experienced for a specified period of time), and / or the threshold value being crossed multiple times within a specified period (e.g., a certain amount of stress is experienced at least a specified number of times in the given period). Any other similar forces that could have an adverse effect on the system may also be monitored. The corrective action may include any of a variety of actions to mitigate the effects of the forces experienced by the solar panels. For example, the corrective action may include the actuator rotating the solar panel row by a predetermined amount. Such a response may be beneficial at lower wind speeds where vortices can form and where changing the orientation can reduce or eliminate them. As another example, changing the orientation of the panels can eliminate the load in high-wind conditions. In some configurations, the corrective action may include rotating the solar panel row by a predetermined number of degrees or a set distance from its current location to a corrective orientation. For example, the solar panel row may be rotated 20 degrees from its current location toward the horizontal.In some configurations, corrective action may include rotating the row of solar panels 140 until a predetermined condition is met. For example, if sensor 120 data is monitored in real time, solar panels 140 may be rotated until the sensor 120 data falls below a threshold value. In some configurations, after rotating the solar panels 140, the system 100 can wait a predetermined period of time in the corrective orientation and then return the solar panels 140 to their normal orientation by tracking the sun's position. In these and other configurations, the orientation to which the solar panels 140 return may differ from the orientation from which they initially rotated (for example, due to a tracking algorithm that identifies a different orientation at the end of the day when the solar panels return to their tracking orientations). necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi In some configurations, after rotating the solar panels 140, the system 100 can remain in the corrective orientation until the data from a given sensor (or sensors) 120 falls below a threshold value. For example, the system 100 can maintain the solar panels 140 in the corrective orientation until the data from sensor 120 indicates that potentially damaging forces have decreased. After the data from sensor 120 has fallen below the threshold value, the system 100 can return the solar panels 140 to their normal tracking orientation, following the sun's position. In some configurations, after rotating the solar panels 140 degrees, the system can wait until the tracking algorithm reaches the corrective orientation. Once the tracking algorithm reaches the corrective orientation, the system can continue rotating the solar panels 140 degrees according to the tracking algorithm to follow the sun. In some embodiments, corrective action may include the invocation of a secondary system in addition to or separate from the rotation of the solar panel row 140. For example, such secondary systems may include a braking system that can clamp or grip the solar panels 140 to hold them in a fixed position. As another example, secondary systems may include a damping system that can dampen the movement and / or forces of the solar panels 140 to minimize any movement or displacement experienced by the solar panels 140. In some embodiments, the sensor 120 may be part of the secondary system (such as a stroke sensor of the damping system). In some configurations, the corrective action may include a graduated response. For example, if a first amount of force experienced exceeds a first threshold, as indicated by the data read from sensor 120, the solar panels 140 may be moved by the actuator 130 by a first amount. If a second amount of force is experienced that exceeds a second threshold higher than the first threshold, the solar panels may be moved a second amount beyond the first amount. As another example of a graduated response, after a corrective response is triggered, the controller 110 may determine a response proportional to the readings from sensor 120 (for example, if the threshold is exceeded by 10%, the corrective response may be 10% greater, such as rotating 22° instead of 20°). In some configurations, System 100 may include a specified number of retraction positions (e.g., horizontal, + / - 5°, + / - 15°, + / - 30°) as part of the corrective response. For example, System 100 may retraction the solar panels 140 to the retraction position closest to the tracking algorithm's orientation when a corrective response is triggered (e.g., if the tracking algorithm's orientation is -40° and the corrective action is triggered, the solar panels 140 may be rotated to -30°). In these and other configurations, if the corrective action trigger remains in the closest retraction position, System 100 may move to the next retraction position (e.g., if the force is still above the threshold when at -30°, System 100 may rotate the solar panels 140 to -15°, etc.). In some modes, one or more of the fold positions may include fold angle ranges. In other words, a given fold position may include a corresponding range of angles within which the solar panels can rotate when operating under the corrective response. For example, a given corrective response may include limiting the rotation of the solar panels within a certain angle range (such as + / - 15°, + / - 30°, etc.). In these and other modes, if the current angle due to tracking is within the range, the corrective action may not disrupt the current position of the solar panels but may prevent them from following the tracking algorithm outside of that range. Additionally, or alternatively, the permissible range of retraction angles for the 140 solar panels in various retraction positions may depend on the wind speed. For example, a given first corrective response range may include limiting the rotation of the 140 solar panels within a first range for a first wind speed threshold and may include further limiting the rotation of the 140 solar panels to a narrower range for a second wind speed threshold higher than the first wind speed threshold. For example, for the first wind speed threshold (e.g., winds of 56 km / h (35 mph)), the range may include + / - 15°, and for the second wind speed threshold (e.g., winds of 72 km / h (45 mph)), the range may include + / - 7°. Furthermore, or alternatively, the range of permissible retraction angles for the 140 solar panels in a given time period may depend on the orientation angle of the 140 solar panels determined by a tracking algorithm. For example, a given system of 140 solar panels may be oriented at 30° during an initial time period (e.g., between 9 am and 10 am). necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi In response to the given solar panel system experiencing winds exceeding a first wind speed threshold (e.g., winds of 56 km / h (35 mph)), the rotation of the solar panels may be limited to + / - 10° from the 30° orientation, as determined by the tracking algorithm. In other words, the solar panels may rotate between 20° and 40° in this example. As another example, the same solar panel system may experience winds exceeding a second wind speed threshold (e.g., winds of 72 km / h (45 mph)), which may limit the rotation of the solar panels to within + / - 5° from the 30° orientation, as determined by the tracking algorithm. In some modes, the graduated response may include a conclusive response. For example, after experiencing a severe force that exceeds a high threshold, the system may rotate the solar panels to a conclusive retracted position, such as horizontal, + / - 5° from the horizontal, or any other safe position. In these and other modes, the retracted position may be maintained for an extended period, such as the remainder of the day. In some modalities, the conclusive response can be triggered by a corrective action taken a certain number of times in a day, or within a given time window. For example, if a corrective action is triggered three times in a two-hour period, the conclusive response may be triggered for the remainder of the day. As another example, if a corrective action is determined four times in a day, the conclusive response may be triggered for the remainder of the day. In some modalities, the conclusive response can be triggered in conjunction with a graded corrective response. For example, if several stages of the graded response are triggered in an initial corrective action, the triggering of a second corrective action later in the day may trigger the conclusive response. The actuator 130 may include any device, system, or component configured to provide movement and / or change the orientation of the solar panels 140. For example, the actuator 130 may include an electric motor, a gasoline or diesel engine, and the like. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to System 100 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the designations of different elements as described are intended to help explain the concepts described herein and are not limiting. Furthermore, System 100 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within systems or contexts other than those described. For example, System 100 may include any number of rows of solar panels, sensors, and / or controllers. In some embodiments, the analysis of captured sensor data and the adoption of a corresponding corrective action based on the analyzed sensor data may follow a tracking algorithm implemented, for example, as programmable steps and executed on the controller 110. Figure 2 is a flowchart of an example of a tracking algorithm 200 that directs one or more operations of an intelligent retraction system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The tracking algorithm 200 may include a normal tracking algorithm in block 210 (referred to herein as the normal tracking algorithm 210 for short) that determines a normal set point for one or more solar panels.In some configurations, the normal setpoint of the solar panels can be determined based on time, such that the normal tracking algorithm 210 indicates that the solar panels should be set at a predetermined angle (or within a predetermined range of angles) at a specific point in time. In these and other configurations, the normal tracking algorithm 210 can be adapted to a given solar site based on the solar coverage experienced by the site during a typical day, the solar activity time at the site's geographic location, and / or any other normal condition settings. In addition, or alternatively, in the illustrated mode, the tracking algorithm 200 may include inclinometer sensor data in block 220 (hereinafter referred to as inclinometer sensor data 220) describing a tip angle of the solar panels and / or wind speed measurements in block 225 (referred to herein as wind speed measurements 225). The inclinometer sensor data 220 may be captured by an inclinometer, which may, for example, be placed on the tip of a solar tracker associated with one or more of the solar panels. The inclinometer may determine a tip angle of the solar panels to which the solar tracker is attached. The wind speed measurements 225 may include information on wind speed and wind direction, for example. In some modes, the normal setpoint determined by the normal tracking algorithm 210, the tip angle described by the inclinometer sensor data 220 and / or the wind speed measurements 225 can be managed through a data log, indicated in block 230 (hereafter referred to as data log 230). Data log 230 can be used to collate and / or otherwise organize the obtained data so that a time-fold setpoint can be determined according to the tracking algorithm 200 in blocks 250 and 255 and / or blocks 270-274. In block 240, the tracking algorithm 200 can calculate a difference, D, between the tip angle described by the inclinometer sensor data 220 and the normal setpoint determined by the normal tracking algorithm 210. In some modes, the difference can be calculated as an absolute value difference between the tip angle and the normal setpoint so that the difference describes a deviation from the normal tracking behavior of the solar panels as defined by the normal tracking algorithm 210. The difference can be compared to a threshold value (labeled as Allow in blocks 242 and 244). If the difference is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold value (e.g., D < Allow, as labeled in block 242), the tracking algorithm 200 can proceed to block 260, and the normal setpoint determined by the normal tracking algorithm 210 can be maintained. In other words, the tracking algorithm 200 can determine in block 242 whether the tip angles of the solar panels have deviated from normal tracking behavior relative to the normal setpoint determined by the normal tracking algorithm 210. If the tip angles of the solar panels have deviated from normal tracking behavior, then the tip angles can be maintained. In response to the determination that the difference is greater than the threshold value (e.g., D > Allow as indicated in block 244), the tracking algorithm 200 can proceed to block 250, where an allowable tilt angle range can be determined based on a first lookup table (Lookup Table 1 in block 250). In some modes, the first lookup table may include information describing a relationship between two or more variables. For example, a sample mode of a first lookup table extract 300, illustrated in Figure 3, indicates the effect of wind speed in miles per hour and wind direction relative to north on an allowable tilt angle range for a given solar site.As illustrated in the first extract of lookup table 300, the permissible tilt angle range is ±52° when there is no wind, and as wind speed increases, the permissible tilt angle range decreases. Furthermore, assuming the solar panels at the solar site are oriented east-west such that their rotation follows the sun's westward movement, the permissible tilt angle range decreases as the wind direction becomes more parallel to the orientation of the solar panels. Determining the relationship between the two or more variables included in the first lookup table is described in more detail in relation to Figure 5. In block 260, an optimal tilt angle change can be determined according to a second lookup table based on the permissible tilt angle range determined in block 250. For example, a second lookup table 400, illustrated in Figure 4, indicates a direction for changing the tilt angle of the solar panels based on a current set point and the wind direction relative to north. In other words, the second lookup table 400 can determine the direction in which to change the tilt angle of the solar panels to fold them within the permissible tilt angle range determined in block 250. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi In block 265, the tilt angle of the solar panel tracker can be changed to fall within the permissible tilt angle range. In some configurations, the tracker tilt angle can be determined using the first lookup table in block 250 and / or the second lookup table in block 255. The tracker tilt angle can be obtained from data logger 230 and used as a temporary retraction setpoint for the solar panels. In these and other configurations, data logger 230 can send the temporary retraction setpoint to a tracker drive control in block 290 (hereafter referred to as the tracker drive control 290). In addition or as an alternative, the tracking algorithm 200 can proceed to block 270 where the allowable range of tilt angles is determined according to the first lookup table, and a temporary retraction adjustment point can be determined in blocks 272 and 274. In some modes, the tracking algorithm 200 can first perform calculations according to the process starting in block 240 to determine the temporary retraction adjustment point in block 260 or block 265 and then check the temporary retraction adjustment point determined based on the process starting in block 270.Additionally, or alternatively, the tracking algorithm 200 can carry out the process that begins at block 270 while skipping the process that begins at block 240 in situations where gallop and / or other aerodynamic instability of the solar panels is unlikely to be present. Alternatively, the process that begins at block 270 can be skipped in situations where gallop and / or other aerodynamic instability of the solar panels is likely to be present. In block 272, it can be determined whether a solar panel setpoint is within an acceptable range based on a threshold value. In some modes, the solar panel setpoint can be compared to the threshold value, which may be the normal setpoint determined by the normal tracking algorithm 210. Alternatively, the solar panel setpoint in block 272 may be the temporary rollback setpoint determined in block 265. If the setpoint is found to be within the acceptable range, the solar panel setpoint may be maintained in block 280. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi Additionally or as an alternative, in the block 274 It can be determined whether the setpoint is outside the permitted range. In response to the determination that the setpoint is outside the permitted range of tilt angles, a rotation angle provided by the solar panel tracker can be calculated so that the tilt angle of the solar panels moves within the permitted range in block 285. In some embodiments, the tilt angle at which the solar panels are configured to move in block 285 can be considered the temporary retraction setpoint that is sent to the data logger. In some embodiments, the data logger 230 can send the temporary retraction setpoint to the tracker drive control 290 to affect the rotation of the solar panels in accordance with the temporary retraction setpoint. In some configurations, the tracking algorithm 200 can be invoked to determine whether and how the solar panels should be retracted at time intervals (e.g., every minute, every five minutes, every fifteen minutes, every hour, or any appropriate interval) to adjust the tip angle in response to changes in wind flow. Additionally, or alternatively, the tracking algorithm 200 can be invoked in response to changes in the normal adjustment point of the solar panels as determined by the normal tracking algorithm 210. Furthermore, or alternatively, the tracking algorithm 200 can be invoked in response to changes in wind speed measurements 225. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the tracking algorithm 200 without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the designations of different elements as described are intended to help explain the concepts described herein and are not limiting. Furthermore, the tracking algorithm 200 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within systems or contexts other than those described. Figure 5 is a flowchart of an example Method 500 for generating a lookup table, such as the first lookup table corresponding to extract 300 of the first lookup table in Figure 3 and / or the second lookup table 400 in Figure 4. Method 500 can be carried out by any suitable system, apparatus, or device. For example, controller 110 and / or actuator 130 can perform one or more operations associated with Method 500. Alternatively, a computer system, such as computer system 1000 as described in relation to Figure necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi, can also perform the operation. 10, may perform one or more of the operations associated with method 500. Although illustrated with discrete blocks, the steps and operations associated with one or more of the blocks of method 500 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, according to the particular implementation. Method 500 can begin in block 510, where the directional drag coefficients of the solar panels included in a solar site are determined according to wind tunnel tests. In some modalities, the wind tunnel tests may involve placing a simulated solar site in a wind tunnel and determining the drag force experienced by the solar panels of the simulated solar site at various wind speeds to calculate the directional drag coefficients of the solar panels and / or the simulated solar site. Additionally, or alternatively, the directional drag coefficients of the solar panels and / or the simulated solar site can be determined by any other method. For example, directional drag coefficients can be determined using software that can simulate the effects of wind and drag force on modeled solar panels. As another example, software configured to model computational fluid dynamics can be used to analytically determine the effects of wind flow on one or more given solar panels. In these and other modalities, more than one method can be used to determine the directional drag coefficients.For example, directional drag coefficients can be determined independently according to wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics, such that the directional drag coefficients determined through one process can be used to corroborate the directional drag coefficients determined through the other process. In block 520, one or more drag loads (corresponding to the drag forces affecting the solar panels) may be determined. In some configurations, the drag loads may be calculated in accordance with any applicable design code and based on the directional drag coefficients determined in block 510. The applicable design code for a given solar site may be determined in accordance with the construction standards for structural load requirements established by an international, national, regional, or local administration related to that solar site.For example, a solar site being constructed in the United States of America may adhere to the standards governing structural wind resistance established in Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE / SEI 7-16), while the same solar site being constructed in Australia may adhere to the rules established in AS / NZS 1170.2. In these and other scenarios, the directional drag coefficients may represent constant values ​​and / or scaling coefficients for input values ​​that facilitate the calculation of drag loads affecting the solar panels according to the applicable design code. In block 530, the drag loads on the follower components can be determined. In some embodiments, the directional drag coefficients determined in block 510 can be applied to the applicable design code used in block 520 to calculate the drag loads on the follower components. In block 540, the structures of the follower components can be modeled. In some modes, modeling the follower component structures can be facilitated by any modeling method. For example, finite element analysis (FEA) can be implemented to divide a given follower component into several parts; the structures of each part can be analyzed, and the part structures can be summed to determine the structure of the given follower component. As another example, multibody dynamics (MBD) can be implemented to determine the follower component structure using a more holistic analytical approach compared to FEA. Alternatively, any closed-form structural analysis can be performed to model the follower component structures. In some cases, known stress, deflection, and / or strain equations for the beam material (e.g., equations promulgated by the American Institute of Steel Construction or equations published in Roark Formulas for Stress and Strain) can be used to analytically and mathematically model the follower component structures. In block 550, the stress on the tracker components and / or solar panels can be calculated. In some configurations, the stress on the tracker components can be correlated with the drag loads experienced by the tracker components. Therefore, the stress on the tracker components can be mathematically calculated as a function of the drag loads. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi In block 560, the permissible tilt angle range can be determined for different combinations of wind speed and direction. In some configurations, a maximum stress threshold can be set for the solar panels and / or tracker components (e.g., by a human user). The permissible tilt angle range can be determined based on the maximum stress threshold, such that the limits of the permissible tilt angle range correspond to the maximum stress threshold. For example, the limits of the permissible tilt angle range can be set so that the stress experienced by the solar panels and / or tracker components at a given combination of wind speed, wind direction, and tip angle corresponds to the maximum stress threshold value.Thus, a given permissible range of tilt angles can be established for each combination of wind speed and direction for a given maximum stress threshold. In block 570, the lookup table can be generated. In some modes, wind speed and / or wind direction can be set as row and / or column headers in the lookup table, and the corresponding allowable tilt angle ranges can fill each cell of the lookup table, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In these and other modes, the allowable tilt angle ranges can represent a maximum tolerable drag force on the solar panels and / or tracker components because the calculated allowable tilt angle ranges for each cell in the lookup table are associated with the stress experienced by the solar panels and / or tracker components, where the stress is calculated based on a drag force analysis of the solar panels. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Method 500 without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the designations of different elements as described are intended to help explain the concepts described herein and are not limiting. Furthermore, Method 500 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within systems or contexts other than those described. Figure 6 illustrates another example of system 600 illustrating the folding of several rows of solar panels 610, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. For example, system 600 may illustrate rows 610 (including rows 610a-610e) stored in different orientations and / or stored following a tracking algorithm (e.g., the tracking algorithm 200 described in relation to Figure 2). Each of the rows 610 may include a corresponding sensor 620 (such as rows 610a-610e including sensors 620a-620e, respectively). As an example, the first and second rows, 610a and 610b, may experience less wind and, consequently, less drag than the other rows, as indicated by sensors 620a and 620b. They can thus follow a tracking algorithm to maintain an orientation generally normal to the sun or normal to the east-west portion of the sun's irradiance. For instance, the first and second rows, 610a and 610b, may incorporate a normal tracking algorithm different from the normal tracking algorithm 210, which can be used to control the normal tracking of the other rows (e.g., rows 610c-610e). Such an orientation may result in a profile closer to vertical than that of the other rows, 610c-610e, as illustrated in Figure 6. The third row 610c may experience an initial amount of drag force and may move to a first folded orientation that is at a shallower angle than the orientation of the first and second rows 610a and 610b. For example, after a first threshold monitored by sensor 620c is exceeded, corrective action may be taken to rotate the third row 610c until the data measured by the sensor falls below the threshold. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi The fourth row 610d may experience a second amount of drag force and may move to a second folded orientation that is at a shallower angle than the third row 610c. For example, after a second threshold monitored by sensor 620d is exceeded, corrective action may be taken to rotate the fourth row 610d a certain number of degrees toward the horizontal from its current orientation. The fifth row 610e may experience approximately the same initial amount of drag force and may shift to a third folded orientation that is at a shallower angle than the fourth row 610d. For example, after the first threshold monitored by sensor 620e is exceeded, corrective action may be taken to rotate the fifth row 610e until the data measured by sensor 620e falls below the threshold, which may be higher for the fifth row 610e than for the third row 610c. By providing row-by-row control of corrective actions, the entire 600 system can operate more efficiently. For example, the first and second rows 610a and 610b may not be experiencing the same forces as rows 610c-610e and can therefore remain in the orientation that maximizes production. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi In some configurations, the 600 system can provide panel-by-panel control of corrective actions. For example, the first row 610a might consist of five solar panels positioned side-by-side. The orientations of the first, second, third, fourth, and / or fifth solar panels can be individually controlled for corrective actions. Panel-by-panel control of corrective actions for a given row of solar panels can facilitate more efficient corrective responses to the forces experienced by the entire 600 system.For example, the fold angles of individual solar panels in a given row can be gradually reduced toward the middle of the row, such that the solar panels in the outer positions of the row fold to the fold positions of the end panels with the steepest fold angles (e.g., the steepest orientations), while the solar panels in the inner positions of the row fold to shallower fold angles than the end panel. These and other corrective actions can facilitate the protection of the solar panels in the inner positions from environmental effects and / or forces by the solar panels in the outer positions folded to the steepest fold angles.While the example of individual panels is used, it will be appreciated that any number of panels or other smaller portions than a full row that are controlled separately are also considered. Although Figure 6 has been described with reference to individual rows, it will be appreciated that groups of rows can be treated similarly with the same or a similar effect. For example, if rows 610a and 610b were controlled by the same actuator, rows 610a and 610b could be treated as a single unit. As another example, half of row 620c could be treated as an independently controlled unit, and the other half of row 620c could be treated independently, each half with its own actuator and / or controller to facilitate unit control. Furthermore, the 610 rows illustrated in Figure 6 could be further apart and / or of a different size and are illustrated simply to illustrate the underlying principle. In some configurations, a site-wide retraction response can be coordinated. For example, an outer row (or rows) of 610a (and / or 610b) solar panels can be retracted at a steep angle, despite wind forces, so that the inner rows (e.g., rows 610c-610e) are protected from the wind. The outer 610a rows can be constructed with more robust components and / or greater damping capabilities to better withstand higher drag forces and / or aerodynamic instability (e.g., galloping or wobbling). Such a configuration can allow the majority of the rows (e.g., the inner rows) to largely continue following the tracking algorithm while being protected by the outer rows.As another example, the outer rows may experience the brunt of the drag forces and therefore may tilt to a shallower retraction angle (or range of angles) where the worst of the drag force is experienced, while the inner rows may more broadly follow the tracking algorithm (e.g., the range of retraction angles for the inner rows may be a wider range of allowed angles compared to the outer rows). In these and other configurations, individual sensors in individual rows can facilitate monitoring and / or provide a variable and customized on-site response to wind forces. Figure 7 illustrates example views 700 of an example row of solar panels 440 advancing through an example graduated response when folding the solar panels 440 necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 7, the 740a solar panels can initially be oriented at a 45° angle from the horizontal based on a tracking algorithm. The 740a solar panels may experience forces that, monitored by a sensor, exceed a threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, corrective action can be taken. For example, the 740a solar panels can take corrective action according to the tracking algorithm described in relation to Figure 2. As illustrated in the second orientation of the 740b solar panels, corrective action can rotate the panels 20° towards the horizontal (e.g., from 45° to 25°). After rotating the 740b solar panels to the 25° orientation, they may continue to experience forces that, as monitored by the sensor, exceed the threshold. Based on the continued exceedance of the threshold, a second level of corrective action can be taken. For example, the 740b solar panels may experience varying wind speeds, such that the tracking algorithm 200 frequently updates the folded position of the 740b solar panels. As illustrated in the third orientation of the 740c solar panels, the second corrective action level necfrnn / cznz / e / YiAi can rotate the solar panels an additional 30° towards the horizontal. Since this additional 30° would exceed the horizontal, in some modes the 740b solar panels can be oriented in a horizontal position. In these and other modes, the forces experienced by the 740c solar panels can continue to be monitored by the sensor and can return to the tracking algorithm based on the duration of time or the decrease in the experienced force. Figure 8 illustrates example views 800 of an example row of solar panels 840 progressing through several example corrective actions and one example concluding action, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in Figure 8, the 840a solar panels can initially be oriented at a 45° angle from the horizontal based on a tracking algorithm. The 840a solar panels may experience forces that, monitored by a sensor, exceed a threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, corrective action can be taken. As illustrated in the second orientation of the 840b solar panels, the corrective action can rotate the solar panels 20° towards the horizontal (e.g., from 45° to 25°). After rotating the 840b solar panels to the 25° orientation, they may cease experiencing drag forces beyond the threshold for a predetermined period, as monitored by the sensor. Based on the decrease in drag forces, the 840b solar panels may return to their tracking orientation. As illustrated in the third orientation of the 840c solar panels, the 840c solar panels can return to a normal set point according to a standard tracking algorithm. Because it is a later time of day, the normal set point may be 40° in the third orientation, whereas in the first orientation it was 45°. While in the third orientation, the 840c solar panels may experience forces that, as monitored by the sensor, exceed the threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, corrective action may be taken. As illustrated in the fourth orientation of the 840d solar panels, the corrective action can rotate the solar panels 20° towards the horizontal (e.g., from 40° to 20°). After rotating the 840d solar panels to the 20° orientation, they may cease experiencing drag forces beyond the threshold for a set period of time, as monitored by the sensor. Based on the decrease in drag forces, the 840d solar panels may return to the tracking orientation. As illustrated in the fifth orientation of the 840e solar panels, the 840e solar panels can return to a normal set point according to a standard tracking algorithm. Because it is one hour later in the day, the normal set point may be 35° in the fifth orientation, whereas it was 45° in the first orientation and 40° in the third. While in the fifth orientation, the 840e solar panels may experience forces that, as monitored by the sensor, exceed the threshold. If this threshold is exceeded a third time within a specified period (e.g., a single day, a four-hour window, etc.), a conclusive action can be taken. As illustrated in the sixth orientation of the 840f solar panels, the final action can rotate the solar panels to a generally horizontal position. After rotating the 840f solar panels to the generally horizontal position, they can remain in that orientation for the rest of the day, for an extended period of time (e.g., four hours, six hours, etc.), or until some other metric or condition is met (e.g., a wind sensor at the necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi site and the row-specific force sensor both register readings below a given threshold). While some embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to data monitored by a sensor, it will be appreciated that any combination of several factors can contribute to the determination that corrective action (including conclusive action) can be taken, or that a row of solar panels can be returned to the orientations of the tracking algorithm. For example, such determinations can be made using a combination of a local or site wind speed sensor and a strain gauge or displacement gauge for a specific row. As another example, a precipitation sensor or a severe weather warning from a news source or meteorological service can be used in combination with accelerometers or inclinometers on the rows of solar panels. Figure 9 is a flowchart of an example method 900 for folding solar panels according to the present invention. Method 900 can be carried out by any suitable system, apparatus, or device. For example, controller 110 and / or actuator 130 can perform one or more operations associated with method necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi 900. Although illustrated with discrete blocks, the steps and operations associated with one or more of the blocks in method 900 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the particular implementation. Method 900 can begin in block 910, where a solar panel system (for example, through a processor, a controller, and / or any other component of the solar panel system) is located. In some configurations, meteorological information can be collected by sensors included in the solar panel system. For example, one or more of the solar panels may include strain gauges to measure the forces experienced by the solar panels, inclinometers, torque sensors, displacement and / or stroke monitors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, motion-detecting lasers, anemometers, thermal sensors, barometers, and / or any other type of sensor that can capture information from the environment where the solar panel system is operating to obtain meteorological information and / or information related to the operation of the solar panels.Additionally or as an alternative, the solar panel system can be communicatively coupled to one or more weather forecasting services so that weather information can be obtained based on weather forecasts and / or information from such weather forecasting services. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi In block 920, you can determine whether the wind associated with the wind indicator will affect the solar panel system. Determining whether the wind associated with the wind indicator will affect the solar panel system may include predicting if the wind will affect a geographic region where the solar panel system is located. For example, the wind associated with the wind indicator may not affect the solar panel system if weather information indicates that the wind will pass through a nearby region but not directly over the solar panel system. Additionally, or alternatively, determining whether the wind associated with the wind indicator will affect the solar panel system may include determining the time at which the wind will affect the solar panel system. For example, weather information may indicate that the wind will affect the solar panel system at midnight.However, it is possible that the solar panels are already rotated to fold away at that time, so corrective measures in response to the wind would not be necessary. In block 930, the rotation of one or more solar panels of the solar panel system may be limited within a first or second range of roll-off angles in response to the identification that wind is expected to affect the solar panel system and that the wind speed will be greater than the wind speed threshold value. In some embodiments, the rotation of the solar panels may be limited to the first range of roll-off angles in response to the determination that the wind speed will be greater than a first threshold value, while the rotation of the solar panels may be limited to the second range of roll-off angles in response to the determination that the wind speed will be greater than a second threshold value (e.g., a higher wind speed value resulting in a narrower range of roll-off angles for the second range).In some modes, the first range of retraction angles may be limited by a first retraction angle and a second retraction angle, and the second range of retraction angles may be limited by a third retraction angle and a fourth retraction angle. In these and other modes, the third retraction angle and / or the fourth retraction angle may include retraction angles that lie between the first retraction angle and the second retraction angle (for example, if the second threshold is a higher wind speed than the first threshold). Alternatively, the third retraction angle and / or the fourth retraction angle may include retraction angles that do not lie between the first retraction angle and the second retraction angle (for example, if the second threshold is a lower wind speed than the first threshold).Additionally, or alternatively, there may be some overlap between the first and second ranges of tilt angles. In these and other configurations, a permissible range of tilt angles can be determined according to a tracking algorithm, such as the tracking algorithm 200 described in relation to Figure 2, considering a normal set point for the solar panels, a tip angle for the solar panels, and the wind speed. In block 940, you can obtain updated weather information. In some configurations, the updated weather information can be obtained in the same or a similar way to the weather information obtained in block 910. Additionally, or alternatively, you can determine whether the updated weather information affects the solar panels (for example, in the same or a similar way to that described in block 920). In block 950, in response to the determination that wind speeds fall below the threshold value, the rotation of the solar panels can be allowed to operate within a full range of orientation angles. In some modes, the solar panels can be rotated to an orientation angle according to a tracking algorithm such that the solar panel system can resume ordinary operations (e.g., solar tracking operations without strong winds according to the normal tracking algorithm 210). Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the solar panels may be rotated to a fixed folding position in response to one or more determinations regarding the operation of the solar panel system in block 960. The fixed folding position may include an orientation angle and / or a range of folding angles at which the solar panels are more resistant to adverse weather conditions. In these and other modalities, the orientation angle and / or range of folding angles corresponding to the fixed folding position may or may not consider the power generation potential of the solar panels while in the fixed folding position. Their resistance to adverse weather conditions (e.g., high winds) may be considered a more important consideration in situations where the solar panels are folded into the fixed folding position. In some modalities, the determinations that result in the solar panels rotating to the fixed folded position may include determining that the solar panel rotation has previously been limited at least a threshold number of times within a specified time period (e.g., the system has responded to an adverse weather event three times previously in a single day). Additionally, or alternatively, the determinations that result in the solar panels rotating to the fixed folded position may include identifying a wind indicator that can be designated as a severe wind condition (e.g., the weather service has issued a wind advisory). Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Method 900 without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the designations of different elements as described are intended to help explain the concepts described herein and are not limiting. Furthermore, Method 900 may include any number of other elements or may be implemented within systems or contexts other than those described. Figure 10 illustrates an example of a computer system 1000, according to at least one embodiment described in the present invention. The computer system 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory 1020, a data storage 1030, and / or a communication unit 1040, all of which may be communicatively coupled. Portions of the system in Figure 1 may be implemented as a computer system consistent with the computer system 1000, including the controller 110, the sensors 120, and / or the actuator 130. In general, the 1010 processor can include any computer, computing entity, or special-purpose or general-purpose processing device, including various computer hardware or software modules, and can be configured to execute instructions stored on any applicable computer-readable storage medium. For example, the 1010 processor can include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other digital or analog circuit configured to interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data. Although illustrated as a single processor in Figure 10, it is understood that the processor 1010 may include any number of processors distributed across any number of physical locations that are configured to individually or collectively perform any number of operations described in the present invention. In some embodiments, the processor 1010 may interpret and / or execute program instructions and / or process data stored in memory 1020, data storage 1030, or memory 1020 and data storage 1030. In some embodiments, the processor 1010 may fetch program instructions from data storage 1030 and load program instructions into memory 1020. After the program instructions are loaded into memory 1020, the processor 1010 can execute the program instructions, such as instructions to make the system 1000 perform the operations of method 900 in Figure 9 and / or the operations of the tracking algorithm 200 in Figure 2.For example, in response to the execution of instructions by processor 1010, system 1000 can obtain weather information including a wind gauge, identify whether the wind associated with the wind gauge is predicted to affect a solar panel system, limit the rotation of one or more solar panels of the solar panel system to be within a first range of fold-back angles (or a second range of fold-back angles), obtain updated weather information, rotate one or more of the solar panels to a position based on a tracking algorithm, and / or rotate one or more of the solar panels to a fixed fold-back position. Memory 1020 and data storage 1030 may include computer-readable storage media, or one or more computer-readable storage media, for holding computer-executable instructions or data structures. This computer-readable storage media may be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, such as the processor 1010. For example, memory 1020 and / or data storage 1030 may store weather information, the wind gauge, the normal set point, the tip angle, and / or any computational results of the tracking algorithm. In some embodiments, the computer system 1300 may or may not include memory 1020 and data storage 1030. By way of example, and without limitation, such computer-readable storage media may include non-transient computer-readable storage media including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, magnetic disc storage or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory devices (e.g., solid-state memory devices) or any other storage medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.Combinations of the above may also fall within the scope of computer-readable storage media. Computer-executable instructions may include, for example, instructions and data configured to cause the 1010 processor to perform a specific operation or group of operations. The 1040 communication unit can include any component, device, system, or combination thereof configured to transmit or receive information across a network. In some configurations, the 1040 communication unit can communicate with other devices in different locations, the same location, or even with other components within the same system. For example, the 1040 communication unit can include a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an optical communication device, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device (such as an antenna), and / or a chipset (such as a Bluetooth device, an 802.6 device (e.g., a metropolitan area network [MAN]), a Wi-Fi device, a WiMAX device, cellular communication facilities, or others), and / or the like.The communication unit 1340 can enable data exchange with a network and / or any other device or system described in the present invention. For example, the communication unit 1040 can enable system 1000 to communicate with other systems, such as computer devices and / or other networks. A person skilled in the art, after reviewing this description, may recognize that modifications, additions, or omissions can be made to System 1000 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, System 1000 may include more or fewer components than those explicitly illustrated and described. The foregoing description is not intended to limit the present invention to the precise forms or particular fields of use described. Thus, it is envisaged that, in light of the invention, several alternative embodiments and / or modifications of the present invention are possible, whether explicitly described or implied herein. Having thus described the embodiments of the present invention, it can be recognized that changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is limited only by the claims. In some configurations, the various components, modules, engines, and services described in this document can be implemented as objects or processes that run on a computer system (for example, as separate threads). While some of the systems and processes described here are generally described as being implemented on a specific controller, software implementation (stored and / or executed by general-purpose hardware) is also possible and supported. The terms used in this document and especially in the appended claims (e.g., the bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended to be open-ended terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including, among others, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as including, but not limited to). necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi Furthermore, if a specific enumeration of a presented claim is intended, the intention shall be explicitly stated in the claim, and in the absence of the enumeration, the intention shall not be present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of at least one introductory phrase and one or more to introduce references to claims.However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as meaning that the introduction of a claim statement by means of the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing the introduced claim statement to modalities containing only one such statement, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (for example, a and / or an should be interpreted as at least one or one or more); the same applies to the use of definite articles to introduce claim statements. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced claim mention is explicitly stated, those skilled in the art will recognize that such mention must be interpreted as at least the number mentioned (e.g., the simple mention of two mentions, without any other modifiers, means at least two mentions, or two or more mentions). Moreover, in those cases where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, etc., or one or more of A, B, and C, etc., is used, such a construction is generally intended to 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. For example, the use of the term "and / or" is intended to be interpreted in this way. Furthermore, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or figures, should be understood to include the possibilities of one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase A or B should be understood to include the possibilities of A or B or A and B. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as meaning that the introduction of a claim mention by means of the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing that introduced claim mention to modalities containing only one such mention, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (for example, a and / or an should be interpreted as at least one or one or more); necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi The same applies to the use of defined articles to introduce claim references. Furthermore, the use of the terms first, second, third, etc., does not necessarily imply a specific order. Generally, these terms are used to distinguish between different elements. In the absence of specific evidence that the terms first, second, third, etc., imply a specific order, they should not be interpreted as implying such an order. All examples and conditional language listed herein are for pedagogical purposes to assist the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the technique and should be interpreted without limitation to those specifically listed examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the present invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A method, characterized in that it comprises: obtaining a normal setting point of a solar panel and a wind speed measurement corresponding to the wind incident on the solar panel; determining a permissible range of tilt angles according to a first lookup table describing a relationship between the wind speed measurement and the permissible range of tilt angles; identifying whether the normal setting point of the solar panel is outside the permissible range of tilt angles; determining a temporary retraction setting point in response to the identification that the normal setting point of the solar panel is outside the permissible range of tilt angles; and rotating the solar panel to the temporary retraction setting point.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that determining the permissible range of tilt angles further comprises: obtaining a tip angle of the solar panel; determining whether a difference between the normal setting point and the tip angle of the solar panel is within a threshold value; and determining the permissible range of tilt angles based on the first lookup table in response to the determination that the difference between the normal setting point and the tip angle of the solar panel is within the threshold value.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that determining the temporary retraction adjustment point further comprises determining an optimum tilt angle change based on a second lookup table.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the second reference table comprises one or more directions for changing the tilt angle of the solar panel in relation to the normal setting point and the wind direction.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first reference table comprises one or more permissible intervals of tilt angles in relation to wind speed and wind direction.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that a relationship between the permissible range of tilt angles, wind speed, and wind direction is determined based on a drag load analysis comprising: determining one or more directional drag coefficients of the solar panel; calculating one or more drag loads affecting the solar panel based on the directional drag coefficients; determining a drag load affecting a tracking component coupled to the solar panel; modeling a structure of the tracking component based on the determined drag load affecting the tracking component; calculating the stress in the tracking component according to the modeled tracking component structure; and establishing a stress threshold value.and identify a permissible range of tilt angles based on the stress threshold value for a given wind speed and wind direction.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the directional drag coefficients of the solar panel are determined using at least one of: wind tunnel simulations or computational fluid dynamics. necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi 8. A system characterized in that it comprises: one or more processors; and one or more non-transient, computer-readable storage media configured to store instructions which, in response to their execution, cause the system to perform operations comprising: obtaining a normal set point of a solar panel and a wind speed measurement corresponding to the wind incident on the solar panel; determining an allowable range of tilt angles according to a first lookup table describing a relationship between the wind speed measurement and the allowable range of tilt angles; identifying whether the normal set point of the solar panel is outside the allowable range of tilt angles; determining a temporary retraction set point in response to the identification that the normal set point of the solar panel is outside the allowable range of tilt angles;and rotate the solar panel to the temporary retraction adjustment point.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that determining the permissible range of tilt angles further comprises: obtaining a tip angle of the solar panel; determining whether a difference between the normal setting point and the tip angle of the solar panel is within a threshold value; and determining the permissible range of tilt angles based on the first lookup table in response to the determination that the difference between the normal setting point and the tip angle of the solar panel is within the threshold value.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that determining the temporary retraction adjustment point further comprises determining an optimal tilt angle change based on a second lookup table.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that the second reference table comprises one or more directions for changing the tilt angle of the solar panel in relation to the normal setting point and the wind direction.

12. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the first lookup table comprises one or more permissible intervals of tilt angles in relation to wind speed and wind direction.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that a relationship between the permissible range of tilt angles, wind speed, and wind direction is determined based on a drag load analysis comprising: determining one or more directional drag coefficients of the solar panel; calculating one or more drag loads affecting the solar panel based on the directional drag coefficients; determining a drag load affecting a tracking component coupled to the solar panel; modeling a structure of the tracking component based on the determined drag load affecting the tracking component; calculating the stress in the tracking component according to the modeled tracking component structure; and establishing a stress threshold value.and identify a permissible range of tilt angles based on the stress threshold value for a given wind speed and wind direction.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that the directional drag coefficients of the solar panel are determined using at least one of: wind tunnel simulations or computational fluid dynamics.

15. A method, characterized in that it comprises: obtaining meteorological information that includes a wind indicator of wind speed above a threshold; identifying whether the wind associated with the wind indicator is predicted to affect a solar panel system; and in response to the identification that the wind is predicted to affect the solar panel system and that the wind speed is greater than the threshold, limiting the rotation of one or more solar panels of the solar panel system to be within a first range of fold-out angles between a first fold-out angle and a second fold-out angle.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that obtaining the meteorological information comprises identifying the wind indicator based on information from a weather forecasting service.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that obtaining the meteorological information comprises identifying the wind indicator necfrnn / eznz / e / YiAi based on sensor data captured by one or more sensors included in the solar panel system.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the sensor data captured by the sensors included in the solar panel system are captured by one or more sensors selected from a group comprising: inclinometers, torque sensors, displacement monitors, stroke monitors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, motion detection lasers, anemometers, thermal sensors, and barometers.

19. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that it further comprises rotating one or more of the solar panels to a fixed folded position in response to making one or more selected determinations from the group consisting of: the wind indicator being designated as a severe wind condition; and the rotation of the solar panels being limited to at least a threshold number of times within a determined period of time.

20. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that a peripheral set of solar panels on a periphery of the solar panel system has a more inclined orientation than the one or more solar panels, the one or more solar panels placed within the periphery of the solar panel system.

Images