Solar tracking system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar tracking systems are costly and bulky, making it difficult to track the sun's motion effectively on rooftops, where they often require expensive and heavy equipment with a large footprint, limiting their practicality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A planar solar tracking system comprising interlinked tracker module pairs and base bars with a transmission mechanism, allowing for rotation and alignment of solar concentrators to optimize energy collection while minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solar tracking systems are used, then solar energy conversion efficiency is improved, but system weight and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracking system is divided into multiple independent tracker modules that can be connected in series. Each module contains its own solar concentrator and tracking mechanism, allowing the system to achieve sun tracking functionality while distributing the weight across multiple lightweight units rather than requiring a single heavy structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-axis or single-axis tracking systems to a planar one-axis tracking design where modules are arranged in a two-dimensional array. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the system to maintain effective sun tracking while reducing the vertical height and overall footprint, making it suitable for rooftop installations with weight and space constraints.
2Productivity
If conventional solar tracking systems are used, then solar energy conversion efficiency is improved, but system footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tracking system into modular units that can be arranged in a compact array, the patent reduces the overall footprint while maintaining energy conversion efficiency. The modular design allows for optimized spacing and configuration that minimizes the ground area required per unit of power generated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film solar concentrators and lightweight structural components that reduce the material thickness and overall volume of each tracker module. This enables the system to achieve effective sun tracking with a smaller footprint compared to conventional bulky tracking structures.
3Quantity of substance
If solar concentrators are used, then the number of solar cells required is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates solar concentrators directly into each tracker module during the manufacturing process, creating self-contained units. This modular integration approach simplifies assembly by allowing modules to be manufactured independently and then connected in series, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity despite the added functionality of concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the solar concentrator, tracker mechanism, and support structure into a single integrated module. This merging of components reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations required, making the system easier to manufacture while still achieving the benefit of reduced solar cell quantity through concentration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces the cost per Watt of solar cells by minimizing the need for additional solar cells and allows for efficient energy concentration, enabling effective solar energy conversion with a smaller footprint, thus increasing the number of applicable installation locations.
Implementation Method 1
Each tracker module pair supports a linear focal plane and a plurality of parabolic concentrators. The parabolic concentrators are disposed between the tracker module pair and are configured to concentrate solar energy onto the linear focal plane.
Implementation Method 2
The linear focal plane has a first array of photovoltaic cells attached to it. The photovoltaic cells convert the concentrated solar energy into electrical energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracking system for tracking the orientation of solar energy is disclosed. The solar tracking system may be integrated with solar cells and solar concentrators. The solar tracking system may have a first (22) and second (24) tracker module array that are opposite from another, aligned in substantially identical orientation, and form a tracker module pair array (1000). Tracker module pairs (12, 14; 12, 144) may allow motion relative to one another while maintaining substantially identical orientation. Solar concentrators may be attached to opposing tracker modules of a tracker module pair forming an array of solar concentrators. A base bar array (28) may be coupled to at least one tracker module pair. A transmission may operably rotate the base bar array and the tracker module pair array simultaneously.