Solar Panel Azimuth Tracking With Fixed Tilt Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy systems face inefficiencies due to suboptimal tracking of the sun's movement, particularly in terms of azimuth and elevation, which affects the angle of incidence for solar radiation on energy converting units like photovoltaic cells, leading to reduced energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel system with a mount that maintains a fixed elevation angle between 8° to 35°, supported by a pole with a rotating mechanism and controlled by a motor and programmed schedule to track the sun's movement during the day and recycle at night, ensuring optimal solar energy utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solar panels use fixed mounting with horizontal orientation, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but energy conversion efficiency is significantly reduced due to suboptimal angle of incidence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static horizontal mounting to a dynamic inclined mounting system. The solar panels are mounted at a fixed inclination angle (α) between 8° to 35° relative to the horizontal plane, allowing the panels to maintain an optimal angle of incidence for solar radiation throughout the day while still using a relatively simple fixed mounting structure. This resolves the contradiction by providing improved energy conversion efficiency without requiring complex tracking mechanisms.
2Productivity
If solar panels implement full azimuth and elevation tracking, then energy conversion efficiency is maximized, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the elevation tracking component from the system while retaining azimuthal tracking. The solar panels are mounted at a fixed inclination angle and only rotate azimuthally to follow the sun's movement across the sky. This extraction of the unnecessary elevation tracking mechanism significantly reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while still achieving substantial improvements in energy conversion efficiency (up to 20% compared to stationary panels).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic azimuthal tracking where the solar panels rotate on a horizontal axis to follow the sun's azimuthal movement throughout the day. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal solar radiation incidence angles without requiring complex elevation adjustments, thereby achieving high energy conversion efficiency with relatively simple mechanical structures.
3Productivity
If solar panels are inclined at optimal elevation angle, then energy conversion efficiency improves, but structural stability and wind load resistance become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a fixed but optimized inclination angle (α) that balances energy conversion efficiency with structural stability. The mount is designed to securely hold the panels at this fixed angle, providing a stable structure that can resist wind loads while maintaining optimal solar radiation incidence. The fixed inclination eliminates the instability that would arise from moving elevation mechanisms while still achieving improved energy capture compared to horizontal mounting.
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 system enhances energy conversion efficiency by maintaining the sun at a favorable angle, improving energy output by up to 20% compared to stationary panels and is cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
the panel must first be pointed in the proper azimuthal direction (i.e. toward the sun). On the first point (i.e. azimuthal tracking), in comparison with a stationary solar panel it has been determined that the overall efficiency of energy converting units can be improved by around twenty percent when the solar panel azimuthally tracks the sun.
Implementation Method 2
energy converting units (e.g. photovoltaic cells, solar-thermal cells, or concentrating cells) are mounted on solar panels
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided for maximizing solar energy utilization by moving a solar panel to track movement of the sun from sunrise to sunset. Preferably, the solar panel is inclined from the horizontal plane by a fixed angle of about ten degrees. And, movements of the solar panel are accomplished, daily, in accordance with a programmed schedule of consecutive cycles. In this schedule, each cycle has a start time (i.e. sunrise) and a start point that is determined by the sun's direction from the solar panel.