Solar tracker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photovoltaic solar tracker systems face issues such as increased self-shading losses, land requirements, and higher costs due to complexity and land coverage ratios, particularly with single and dual-axis trackers.
Innovation Solution
A 'one and a half axis' tracker system that utilizes a 'Rocking' and 'Rolling' kinetic, featuring a support structure with a torque tube rotating around a primary axis and a pole structure rotating around an orthogonal secondary axis, coupled by a steering mechanism with self-locking properties to optimize alignment and reduce wind loads, allowing for efficient land use and energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fixed-tilt single axis trackers rotate around an inclined axis to improve tracking accuracy, then tracking accuracy is improved, but self-shading losses increase and land requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed-tilt rotation axis to a movable rotation axis that can adjust its inclination angle. The rotation axis is no longer fixed at an inclined angle but can dynamically change its orientation to optimize tracking performance and minimize self-shading losses throughout the day.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the rotation axis inclination angle from a fixed value to a variable parameter. By adjusting the inclination angle of the rotation axis, the system can adapt to different solar positions and reduce self-shading effects while maintaining high tracking accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If fixed-tilt trackers use an inclined rotation axis to improve tracking, then tracking accuracy improves, but the height of pivot points above ground must increase to avoid mechanical interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the rotation axis movable rather than fixed, allowing the pivot points to remain at a lower height while the axis dynamically adjusts its position and orientation. This eliminates the need for elevated fixed pivot points to avoid mechanical interference with the ground.
3Measurement precision
If dual-axis trackers are used to improve alignment accuracy with the sun, then tracking accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dual-axis tracking function into a single axis with movable inclination. Instead of implementing two independent rotation axes, the system divides the complexity by using one rotation axis whose inclination angle can be adjusted, thereby achieving dual-axis-like performance with reduced mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable rotation axis serves multiple functions: it provides the primary rotation for tracking the sun's movement while also adjusting its inclination angle to compensate for the earth's axial tilt. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dual-axis mechanisms, reducing system complexity.
4Productivity
If dual-axis trackers with low ground coverage ratio are used to maximize energy gain, then energy production increases, but land area requirements and cable lengths increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ground coverage ratio parameter by enabling the rotation axis inclination to vary. This allows the tracker to achieve higher energy gain with a higher ground coverage ratio, as the movable axis optimizes the array orientation to minimize shading and maximize sunlight capture within a compact footprint.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tracking photovoltaic solar system comprising at least a tracker unit maintaining an array of photovoltaic modules (101) aligned to the sun during the course of the day. The tracker unit includes: a support structure (100), said support structure comprising a plurality of elongated elements (105) supporting said array of photovoltaic modules and a torque tube (104) for rigidly supporting said plurality of elongated elements and arranged to rotate along a first rotational axis (106), a pole structure (200) operably connected to said support structure, having an upper part rotationally fixed along said first rotational axis (106) on said support structure, and a lower part rotationally connected along a second rotational axis (204) orthogonal to the first rotational axis on foundations (500), and a steering mechanism (300) mechanically coupling together said first and said second rotational axis for rotating said support structure and said operably connected pole structure around said first and second rotational axis in the same movement.