Control system for photovoltaic systems
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- METALFORME GROUP SRL
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
Smart Images
Figure IB2026050783_06082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
[0003] The present invention relates to a control system for photovoltaic systems. A photovoltaic system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels. As is known, by photovoltaic panel is meant substantially an object comprising one or more photovoltaic modules, each equipped with a collection surface intended to be irradiated by solar radiation. As is well known in the art, each photovoltaic module has a flattened parallelepiped conformation, defined by two main surfaces separated by a distance, i.e. the thickness of the module, which is decidedly smaller than the sides of the main surfaces. Of the two main surfaces, one is the collection surface, which is opposite a rear surface of the module. As is well known in the art, each photovoltaic module is capable of converting the energy brought by solar radiation into an electric potential difference, which is in turn converted into an electric current.
[0004] A photovoltaic panel comprises one or more photovoltaic modules, supported by a support frame so that the collection surfaces are substantially coplanar with each other. The collection surfaces of the photovoltaic modules overall define a collection surface of the photovoltaic panel.
[0005] These photovoltaic panels can be placed on the ground or on cultivated agricultural areas, under an agrivoltaic regime. It is also possible to use these photovoltaic panels in conjunction with advanced electroculture systems, understood as systems, electrical and in any case technological systems, irradiation antennas, used in the electroculture field and sustainable development of this activity that can be advantageously used, by exploiting the solar tracking agro-trackers in the agrivoltaic field to favour the development of such sustainable agricultural systems.
[0006] It is also possible to install these solar tracking photovoltaic panels in urban areas, on private and industrial parking areas, dedicated to the parking of vehicles of any nature, their storage or more generally in urbanor industrial areas that can benefit from the exploitation of photovoltaic production for self-consumption or for the transfer of energy to the electricity grid.
[0007] In the most high-performance systems, each photovoltaic panel is configured to rotate around an inclination axis by a predetermined inclination angle. The width of the inclination angle depends on the angle swept by the sun from dawn to dusk, with respect to the installation position of the photovoltaic panels. As is well known in the art, the inclination axis is oriented North-South. This allows the photovoltaic panel, by rotating around the inclination axis, to follow the trajectory of the sun from East to West during daylight hours, turning its collection surface towards the sun itself.
[0008] At least one actuator is configured to drive the photovoltaic panel in rotation around the inclination axis. In the current systems, each photovoltaic panel is arranged in a reference angular position in which, with respect to the inclination axis, the projection of the collection surface on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the solar rays is the maximum possible one. In this reference angular position, and in atmospheric conditions free of fog or clouds, the collection surface intercepts the maximum possible portion of the solar radiation. The reference angular position depends substantially on the time of the day, i.e. the position of the sun. In other words, the reference angular position changes progressively during the day. To this end, the actuator is equipped with a controller arranged to activate the rotation of the photovoltaic panel, at certain instants of time, in order to position the photovoltaic panel in the reference angular position. For example, the controller comprises a clock and is equipped with an algorithm configured to rotate the photovoltaic panel to the reference angular position at predetermined time intervals, for example every hour, or every thirty minutes or other time interval.
[0009] In the current photovoltaic systems, the rotation of the panels around the inclination axis is essentially a function of the position of the sun, that is,only the time of the day. In fact, however, numerous other factors, other than the time of the day, can influence the energy production of the photovoltaic panels. For example, weather conditions with rain, fog, diffuse cloudiness, can affect the energy production of the photovoltaic panels to a much greater extent with respect to the time of the day. It may therefore happen that the angular position of the photovoltaic panels determined according to the time of the day is not the one that allows the greater energy production. The current photovoltaic systems are not able to take into account the influence of the atmospheric conditions on the energy production of the photovoltaic panels, nor are they able to evaluate any changes in the angular position of the panels with respect to the reference angular position.
[0010] Aim of the present invention is to offer a control system for a photovoltaic system that permits to guarantee the greater possible energy production. Features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows of one embodiment of the invention in question, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended figures, in which:
[0011] figure 1 shows a first isometric view of a photovoltaic system according to the present invention;
[0012] figure 2 shows a second isometric view of the photovoltaic system of figure 1 ;
[0013] figure 3 shows a schematic view of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a control system according to the present invention.
[0014] The control system according to the present invention is particularly suitable for controlling a photovoltaic system comprising one or more photovoltaic panels (10). In the description that follows, reference will be made to a single photovoltaic panel for greater simplicity, but what will be said may refer to any number of photovoltaic panels.
[0015] By photovoltaic panel is meant substantially an object comprising one or more photovoltaic modules (1a), each equipped with a collection surface(1 b) intended to be irradiated by solar radiation. As is well known in the art, each photovoltaic module (1a) has a flattened parallelepiped conformation, defined by two main surfaces separated by a distance, i.e. the thickness of the module, which is decidedly smaller than the sides of the main surfaces. Of the two main surfaces, one is the collection surface (1b), which is opposite a rear surface of the module (1a). As is well known in the art, each photovoltaic module (1a) is capable of converting the energy brought by solar radiation into an electric potential difference, which is in turn converted into an electric current.
[0016] A photovoltaic panel (10) comprises one or more photovoltaic modules (1a). In the preferred but not exclusive embodiment shown, a photovoltaic panel (10) comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules (1a), supported by a support frame so that the collection surfaces (1b) are substantially coplanar with each other. The collection surfaces (1b) of the photovoltaic modules (1a) overall define a collection surface (11) of the photovoltaic panel (10).
[0017] Each photovoltaic panel (10) is configured to rotate around an inclination axis (X) by an inclination angle (a); To this end, the support frame of each photovoltaic panel is associated with a supporting structure (F), with the possibility of rotating around the inclination axis (X). The width of the inclination angle (a) depends on the angle swept by the sun from dawn to dusk, with respect to the installation position of the photovoltaic panels (10).
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, two photovoltaic panels (10) are arranged coplanar with each other and are associated with the same support frame rotating around the inclination axis (X).
[0019] Preferably, as is well known in the art, the inclination axis (X) is oriented North-South. As is known, this allows the photovoltaic panel (10), by rotating around the inclination axis (X), to follow the trajectory of the sun from East to West during daylight hours, turning its collection surface (11) towards the sun itself.At least one actuator (20) is configured to drive the photovoltaic panel (10) in rotation around the inclination axis (X); In the preferred but not exclusive embodiment shown, two photovoltaic panels (10), arranged coplanar with each other, are associated with the same rotating support structure at the inclination axis (X), by means of an actuator (20). To this end, the actuator (20) is connected to two rotating shafts (21), concentric to the inclination axis (X) and, in turn, connected to the photovoltaic panels (10).
[0020] Under normal conditions of use, each photovoltaic panel (10) is arranged in a reference angular position in which, with respect to the inclination axis (X), the projection of the collection surface (11) on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the solar rays is the maximum possible one. In this reference angular position, and in atmospheric conditions free of fog or clouds, the collection surface (11) intercepts the maximum possible portion of the solar radiation. The reference angular position depends substantially on the time of the day, i.e. the position of the sun. Preferably, the actuator (20) is equipped with a controller arranged to activate the rotation of the photovoltaic panel (10), at certain instants of time, in order to position the photovoltaic panel in the reference angular position. For example, the controller comprises a clock and is equipped with an algorithm configured to rotate the photovoltaic panel (10) to the reference angular position at predetermined time intervals, for example every hour, or every thirty minutes or other time interval.
[0021] The control system according to the present invention comprises a solar radiation detector (3), which will be hereinafter simply called detector (3), equipped with a collection surface (31) for collecting solar radiation.
[0022] The detector (3) is arranged to rotate around a regulation axis (Y) by a measurement angle (b). In addition, the detector (3) is arranged to make available energy control data, indicative of the energy and / or power of the solar radiation incident on the collection surface (31). For example, the detector (3) is configured to measure the energy and / or power per surface unit of the solar radiation incident on the collection surface (31).For example, in a possible embodiment, the detector (3) comprises a solarimeter, known in the art. In another possible embodiment, the detector (3) comprises a photovoltaic module (1a) or a photovoltaic panel (10) of the same type used in the photovoltaic system in which the control system according to the present invention is installed. In any case, the detector (3) could be a device or sensor of another type, capable of providing the control energy data indicated above.
[0023] Preferably, but not necessarily, the regulation axis (Y) of the detector (3) is parallel and coplanar with the inclination axis (X) of the photovoltaic panel (10). In this way, it is possible to arrange the detector (3) with the collection surface (31) parallel to the collection surface (11) of the photovoltaic panel (10).
[0024] Preferably, but not necessarily, the measurement angle (b) swept by the detector (3) is related to the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10). For example, in the preferred case where the regulation axis (Y) of the detector (3) is parallel and coplanar with the inclination axis (X) of the photovoltaic panel (10), the angle (b) is defined between two angular end positions located on opposite sides with respect to the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10). Preferably, but not necessarily, the two angular end positions of the detector (3) are separated by the same angle from the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10). In other words, by sweeping the measurement angle (b) between the two angular end positions, the detector (3) passes through an angular position in which the collection surface (31) is parallel to the collection surface (11) of the photovoltaic panel (10).
[0025] A motor (4) is arranged to drive the detector (3) in rotation around the regulation axis (Y).
[0026] The control system according to the present invention further comprises a control module (C), connected to the detector (3) and to the motor (4). As is well known in the art, the control module (C) mentioned in the present description and in the following claims is generically referred to asa single unit, but can in fact be provided with distinct functional modules (memory modules or operating modules), each responsible for controlling a given device or cycle of operations.
[0027] In substance, the control module can consist of a single electronic device, programmed to carry out the functions described, and the various functional modules can correspond to hardware and / or routine software programs which are part of the programmed device.
[0028] Alternatively, or in addition, such functions can be performed by a plurality of electronic devices over which the aforesaid functional modules can be distributed. The units can further rely on one or more processors for the execution of the instructions contained in the memory modules.
[0029] The control module (C) is configured to perform a detection cycle structured as follows:
[0030] The detection cycle proceeds with activating the motor (4) to rotate the solar radiation detector (3) around the regulation axis (Y) by the measurement angle (b), in at least one direction of rotation; As already pointed out, during this rotation around the regulation axis (Y) by the measurement angle (b), the detector (3) passes through an angular position in which the collection surface (31) is parallel to the collection surface (11) of the photovoltaic panel (10). If the photovoltaic panel (10) is in the reference angular position, the detector (3) sweeps an angle straddling the reference angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10). During the rotation of the detector (3), at predetermined angular positions of the solar radiation detector (3) or at certain instants of time, the control module (C) is arranged to acquire the control energy data and the corresponding angular position. Preferably, the control module (C) is arranged to acquire the control energy data in a plurality of angular positions of the detector (3), including the angular position of the detector (3) in which the collection surface (31) is parallel to the collection surface (11 ) of the photovoltaic panel (10).
[0031] As part of the control cycle indicated above, the control module isarranged to identify a maximum value of the control energy data and the corresponding angular position of the detector (3).
[0032] By identifying a maximum value of the control energy data, and of the corresponding angular position of the detector (3), the control module (C) offers the possibility of verifying whether a certain angular position assumed by the photovoltaic panel (10) at a given instant is the one that allows the greatest possible solar radiation to be collected. In particular, if the photovoltaic panel (10) is in the reference angular position, through execution of the control cycle the control module (C) is able to determine whether there is another angular position, different from the reference angular position, in which the control energy data is greater.
[0033] The control module (C) is also configured to process a command for the actuator (20), depending on the maximum value of the control energy data and of the corresponding angular position of the detector (3).
[0034] For example, in a possible configuration of the control module (C), the command processed by the control module (C) activates the actuator (20) so as to rotate the photovoltaic panel (10) at an angular position equal to or close to the one in which the maximum value of the control energy data has been detected.
[0035] In the preferred embodiment, where the inclination axis (X) of the photovoltaic panel (10) is parallel to the regulation axis (Y) of the detector (3), the detection cycle performed by the control module (C) provides for: determining the power that can be produced by the photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data; the calculation of the power that can be produced in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data can be obtained from the technical characteristics of the panel (10) itself, for example by knowing the power produced according to the incident solar energy; determining a rotation power necessary for the actuator (20) to rotate the photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum value of the control energy data;determining the difference between the producible power and the rotation power and, if the difference is positive, processing a rotation command for the actuator (20), to rotate the photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data.
[0036] If the difference between said producible power and said rotation power is zero or negative, the control module is configured not to process a command signal for the actuator (20). In other words, if the difference between said producible power and said rotation power is zero or negative the photovoltaic panels (10) remain in their angular position.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the solar radiation detector (3) is a photovoltaic panel. In this solution, the detector (3) is able to make measurements that are directly comparable with the energy data measured for the photovoltaic panels (10). In an alternative embodiment, the detector (3) is a solarimeter.
[0038] Preferably, the control module (C) is arranged to perform several detection cycles, separated from each other by predetermined time intervals. For example, the control module (C) is arranged to perform a certain number of detection cycles within a day, at set times. The number of detection cycles to be carried out can be chosen, for example, according to particular atmospheric conditions, such as fog, cloudiness or other, or it can be chosen by balancing the energy spent to rotate the detector (3) and the potential benefit obtainable from orientating the photovoltaic panels (10) into a position of better energy efficiency.
[0039] The control system according to the present invention allows to extremely advantageously manage a photovoltaic system comprising one or more photovoltaic panels (10). Preferably, but not necessarily, the system comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels (10) in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, i.e. a plurality of groups formed by two photovoltaic panels (10) coplanar with each other and integral in rotation around the same inclination axis (X), by an actuator (20).
[0040] The photovoltaic system comprises at least one inclination detector (30)for each photovoltaic panel (10) or for each group comprising a pair of photovoltaic panels (10) of the type shown in figures 1 and 2. The inclination detector (30) is arranged to make available a signal indicative of the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10) with respect to the inclination axis (X);
[0041] Preferably, but not necessarily, the photovoltaic panels (10) are parallel to each other and the inclination axes (X) are parallel to each other. For example, the inclination axes (X) of the photovoltaic panels (10) are oriented North-South. Furthermore, the photovoltaic panels (10) are preferably driven in rotation synchronously, keeping themselves parallel to each other. In such a case, it would be possible to use only one inclination detector (30).
[0042] The control module (C) is connected to at least one photovoltaic panel (10), to acquire data indicative of the energy production of the photovoltaic panel (10) itself. In this case, the control module (C) is configured to attribute the data indicative of the energy production of the photovoltaic panel (10) to all the other photovoltaic panels (10) that are part of the photovoltaic system. Alternatively, the control module (C) is connected to each photovoltaic panel (10), to acquire data indicative of the energy production of each photovoltaic panel (10).
[0043] The control module (C) is also connected to each actuator (20), to control its activation by means of said rotation command, and to each inclination detector (30), to acquire the signal indicative of the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10) with respect to the inclination axis (X).
[0044] In the preferred embodiment, the inclination axes (X) of the photovoltaic panels (10) present in the system are parallel to the regulation axis (Y) of the detector (3). The detection cycle performed by the control module (C), at certain time intervals, is the same as previously described, and provides for:
[0045] - determining the power that can be produced by a photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data;assuming that the power that can be produced by a photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data is the same for all the photovoltaic panels (10) present in the system, the control module (C) is able to calculate the total power that can be produced by the system;
[0046] - determining a rotation power necessary for each actuator (20) to rotate the respective photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum value of the control energy data; the rotation power for each actuator being known, the control module (C) can calculate the total rotation power as the sum of the rotation power of the actuators (20).
[0047] determining the difference between the total producible power and the total rotation power and, if the difference is positive, processing a rotation command for the actuator (20), to rotate the photovoltaic panels (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data.
[0048] If the difference between said producible power and said rotation power is zero or negative, the control module is configured not to process a command signal for the actuator (20). In other words, if the difference between said producible power and said rotation power is zero or negative the photovoltaic panels (10) remain in their angular position.
[0049] The management of the photovoltaic system takes place in the following ways.
[0050] Considering an initial configuration of the system in which the photovoltaic panels (10) are in the reference angular position, which is a function of the time at the time of said initial configuration, the control module (C) commands the execution of a detection cycle. The motor (4) is activated and rotates the detector (3) around the regulation axis (y) by the measurement angle (b), in at least one direction of rotation. If the control module (C) identifies a maximum value of the control energy data greater than the control energy data in the reference angular position of the photovoltaic panels, the control module (C) determines the overall powerthat can be produced by the photovoltaic panels (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data. Furthermore, the control module (C) determines the rotation power necessary for the actuators (20) to rotate the photovoltaic panels (10) from the reference angular position to the angular position corresponding to the maximum value of the control energy data. Subsequently, the control module (C) determines the difference between the producible power and the rotation power and, if the difference is positive, it processes a rotation command for the actuators (20), to rotate the photovoltaic panels (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A control system for a photovoltaic system, wherein the photovoltaic system comprises at least one photovoltaic panel (10), configured to rotate around an inclination axis (X) by an inclination angle (a), and at least one actuator (20), configured to drive the photovoltaic panel (10) in rotation around the inclination axis (X), characterized in that it comprises:a solar radiation detector (3), equipped with a collection surface (31) for collecting solar radiation and arranged to rotate around a regulation axis (Y) by a measurement angle (b), which is also arranged to make available control energy data indicative of the energy and / or power of the solar radiation incident on the collection surface (31);a motor (4), arranged to drive the solar radiation detector (3) in rotation around the regulation axis (Y);a control module (C), which is connected to the solar radiation detector (3) and to the motor (4), and is configured to perform a detection cycle that provides for:activating the motor (4) to rotate the solar radiation detector (3) around the regulation axis (Y) by at least a portion of the measurement angle (b), in at least one direction of rotation;during the rotation of the detector (3), at predetermined angular positions of the solar radiation detector (3) or at certain instants of time, acquiring the control energy data and the corresponding angular position; identifying a maximum value of the control energy data and the corresponding angular position of the detector (3);processing a rotation command for said at least one actuator (20), depending on the maximum value of the control energy data and of the corresponding angular position of the detector (3).
2. The control system according to claim 1 , wherein the inclination axis (X) of the photovoltaic panel (10) is parallel to the regulation axis (Y) of the detector (3), and wherein the detection cycle performed by the control module (C) provides for:determining the power that can be produced by the photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data; determining a rotation power necessary for said at least one actuator (20) to rotate the photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum value of the control energy data;determining the difference between the producible power and the rotation power and, if the difference is positive, processing a rotation command for said at least one actuator (20), to rotate the photovoltaic panel (10) in the angular position corresponding to the maximum control energy data.
3. The control system according to claim 2, wherein, if the difference between said producible power and said rotation power is zero or negative, the control module is configured not to process a command signal for said at least one actuator (20).
4. The control system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar radiation detector (3) is a photovoltaic panel.
5. The control system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (C) is arranged to perform several detection cycles, separated from each other by predetermined time intervals.
6. A photovoltaic system, comprising:at least one photovoltaic panel (10), configured to rotate around an inclination axis (X) by an inclination angle (a);at least one actuator (20), configured to drive the photovoltaic panel (10) in rotation around the inclination axis (X);an inclination detector (30), arranged to make available a signal indicative of the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10) with respect to the inclination axis (X);a control system (C) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (C) is connected to:the photovoltaic panel (10), to acquire data indicative of the energy production of the photovoltaic panel (10);said at least one actuator (20), to control its activation by means of saidrotation command;the inclination detector (30), to acquire the signal indicative of the angular position of the photovoltaic panel (10) with respect to the inclination axis (X).
7. The photovoltaic system according to claim 6, wherein the control module (C) is configured to perform a control cycle that provides for activating said at least one actuator (20), at predetermined instants of time, to position the photovoltaic panel (10) in a reference angular position, dependent on the astronomical time.