Heliostat Repositioning With Shared Robotic Tracking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar tracking systems with dual axis mechanisms for concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) and heliostat arrays incur high capital and maintenance costs due to the need for individual microprocessors, motors, and complex control systems, while passive systems underperform and cannot optimize energy yield or ground coverage.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost solar tracking system using a mechanical position locking mechanism with adjustable orientation and a single robotic controller to autonomously adjust multiple solar surfaces, eliminating the need for individual calibration sensors and onboard power supplies, and utilizing a gear system to achieve two degrees of freedom without requiring direct contact or external braking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual axis positioning systems are used to achieve precise solar tracking, then energy production increases by 35-40%, but total system capital and maintenance costs increase by 40-50%
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heliostat surfaces are mechanically linked together through a common support structure and positioning mechanism, allowing a single actuator to control the orientation of multiple surfaces simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the number of individual motors and control systems needed, thereby lowering capital and maintenance costs while maintaining precise solar tracking capability across the entire array.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure and positioning mechanism are designed to serve multiple heliostat surfaces with a single system, making the positioning mechanism universal across different surfaces. This multi-functionality allows one actuator system to perform the work of multiple independent systems, reducing overall system complexity and cost while achieving the desired 35-40% energy production increase through coordinated dual-axis tracking.
2Measurement precision
If individual actuation with motors and microprocessors is used for each surface, then precise control is achieved, but fixed control costs increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system for multiple heliostat surfaces is merged into a single centralized controller that manages the positioning of all surfaces through one actuator mechanism. This eliminates the need for multiple individual microprocessors and control circuits, reducing system complexity while maintaining precise control through centralized coordination and calculation of optimal positions for all surfaces.
3Device complexity
If multiple surfaces are ganged together with cable or mechanical linkage, then motor actuation costs are spread out, but land grading requirements are strict and installation is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The heliostat array is divided into modular units, each consisting of one or more surfaces mounted on a common support structure with shared positioning mechanisms. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing and simplified installation, as each module can be assembled and tested independently before deployment, reducing the strict land grading requirements and installation complexity associated with fully ganged systems while still spreading motor actuation costs across multiple surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing real time control of a heliostat array or CPV/PV module that reduces actuation cost, the disclosure reduces the fixed cost of calibrating and repositioning an individual surface. This simultaneously removes the core engineering assumption that drives the development of large trackers, and enables a system and method to cost effectively track a small surface. In addition to lower initial capital cost, a small heliostat or solar tracker can be pre-assembled, mass-produced, and shipped more easily. Smaller mechanisms can also be installed with simple hand tools and do not require installers to rent expensive cranes or installation equipment.