Photovoltaic Array Reorientation for Diffuse Irradiance Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic arrays face inefficiencies in energy collection due to the inability to account for diffuse weather conditions, such as cloud cover, beyond simply tracking the sun's movement, which limits irradiance capture and energy production.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that collect site-specific and real-time data to calculate predicted irradiance for multiple orientations of photovoltaic arrays, comparing it to current tracked irradiance, and re-orienting the arrays to maximize energy collection by adjusting their position based on the calculated optimal orientation, even if it deviates from sun tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If photovoltaic devices simply track the sun across the sky, then the angle of incidence of light is minimized, but the amount of irradiation collected is reduced under diffuse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The photovoltaic array orientation is made dynamic by continuously adjusting the array's tilt and azimuth angles based on real-time weather conditions and predicted irradiance calculations, rather than simply tracking the sun's position. This allows the system to adapt to diffuse weather conditions by re-orienting to capture scattered light from the sky dome.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from weather sensors and irradiance measurements to continuously calculate predicted irradiance for multiple orientations and determine the optimal array orientation. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond to changing weather conditions and maximize irradiance collection under diffuse conditions.
2Productivity
If photovoltaic devices follow the sun's path, then direct sunlight capture is optimized, but energy production decreases during cloudy or diffuse weather
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of predicted irradiance for multiple potential orientations before actually re-orienting the array. By pre-calculating the optimal orientation based on current weather conditions and sky radiance distributions, the system avoids unnecessary movements and prepares the optimal configuration in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (array tilt and azimuth angles) based on calculated optimal orientations that differ from standard sun-tracking parameters during diffuse weather conditions. This allows the array to operate with modified orientation parameters that maximize energy production under non-clear-sky conditions.
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
This approach enhances energy production by accounting for weather conditions like cloud cover, ensuring that photovoltaic arrays are optimally oriented to capture the maximum available irradiance, even in diffuse weather, thereby improving energy collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Photovoltaic devices are used to collect energy from the sun and convert it to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
sensing a plurality of irradiance readings from a plurality of fixed irradiance sensors, the fixed irradiance sensors are mounted at different rotational orientations
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes collecting site specific data, collecting field data at a site of an array of photovoltaic members, determining a current tracked irradiance of the array of photovoltaic members, calculating predicted irradiance for multiple orientations based on the site specific data and the sensed field data, or sensing an actual irradiance for multiple orientations. The method further includes determining a maximum predicted irradiance from the calculated predicted irradiance or a maximum actual irradiance from the sensed irradiance. The method further includes comparing the maximum predicted irradiance or the maximum sensed irradiance with the current tracked irradiance, and re-orienting the array of photovoltaic members to an orientation having the maximum predicted or actual irradiance if the maximum predicted or actual irradiance is greater than the current tracked irradiance.