Solar Field Row Layout for Uniform Torque Tube Mounting Heights
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Solar fields on uneven terrain face challenges in maintaining uniform row heights, leading to inefficient solar tracking and reduced energy capture due to shadowing and limited rotation extremes, which conventional methods attempt to mitigate through backtracking but at the cost of reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel layout algorithm that aggregates topographical data and engineering tolerance parameters to determine a common level mounting height for torque tubes across consecutive rows, allowing for coplanar installation and reducing the need for backtracking by optimizing row geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solar panels are installed on uneven terrain using conventional methods, then the terrain complexity is accommodated, but the row mounting heights become non-uniform leading to inefficient solar tracking and reduced energy capture
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the mounting height parameter dynamically for each row based on terrain elevation data. By calculating and applying specific height adjustments to each row's torque tubes, the system maintains uniform relative positioning while adapting to absolute terrain variations, thereby preserving tracking efficiency across uneven terrain
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculations of required mounting heights before installation by analyzing terrain data and computing the necessary torque tube height adjustments. This pre-planning ensures that when panels are installed, the rows are already configured for optimal uniform positioning without requiring post-installation backtracking
2Object-affected harmful factors
If backtracking is implemented to mitigate shadowing on uneven terrain, then shadowing is reduced, but solar tracking efficiency is decreased due to limited rotation extremes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of optimal mounting heights for each row before installation, using terrain data to pre-determine the exact height needed for each torque tube. This advance planning eliminates the need for backtracking during operation, allowing panels to maintain full rotation range while avoiding shadowing issues
3Shape
If torque tubes are mounted at varying heights to match terrain elevation, then terrain conformity is achieved, but coplanarity between rows is lost resulting in inefficient tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the mounting height parameter for each row based on terrain data, calculating the specific height offset needed for each location. This parameter adjustment ensures that while absolute heights vary to match terrain, the relative positioning between rows maintains coplanarity, preserving tracking efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates the optimal mounting height for each torque tube location before installation by analyzing terrain elevation data. This preliminary determination ensures that panels are installed at the correct heights to achieve both terrain conformity and row coplanarity simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a solar field layout includes receiving terrain parameters correspond to topographical data associated with a geographical region of interest on which a prospective solar field is to be built, and receiving engineering tolerance parameters associated with installation height of a torque tube of a prospective row of solar panels. A solar panel row layout profile is generated for each prospective row of the prospective solar field based on the topographical data and based on the engineering tolerance parameters. The solar panel row layout profile of each prospective row of a plurality of rows is aggregated to determine a common level mounting height of the torque tube across each of consecutive prospective rows of solar panels to generate a solar panel row group. A solar field design corresponding to the prospective solar field is generated to include a plurality of solar panel row groups.