Systems and methods for adaptive range of motion for solar trackers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar trackers face challenges in efficiently adjusting their range of motion to avoid ground accumulation, such as snow or sand, which can lead to damage and reduced energy collection efficiency, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tracker with a rotational mechanism and a controller that calculates and adjusts the tracker's angle based on real-time solar position and ground accumulation data, ensuring the tracker remains within a safe range of motion to prevent damage while maximizing solar irradiance collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tracker follows the sun to maximize energy collection, then solar energy collection efficiency is improved, but the tracker may contact ground accumulation and suffer damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the tracker's range of motion based on real-time detection of ground accumulation. The controller modifies the operational parameters of the tracker, changing its movement boundaries adaptively to avoid contact with accumulation while maintaining optimal energy collection within safe limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect ground accumulation and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the tracker's operational range based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that balances energy collection with damage prevention.
2Productivity
If the tracker operates at full range of motion, then energy collection is maximized, but damage risk from ground accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the tracker by adjusting its range of motion boundaries. The controller modifies angular limits and movement constraints based on detected accumulation levels, thereby changing the physical operating parameters to avoid harmful contact while maintaining optimal energy collection.
3Reliability
If the tracker range is limited to avoid accumulation, then tracker safety is improved, but solar energy collection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a fixed limited range, the system employs dynamic range adjustment. The tracker's operational boundaries are continuously modified based on real-time accumulation detection, allowing the system to maintain maximum safe energy collection at different times and conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of ground accumulation conditions and proactively adjusts the tracker's range of motion before damage can occur. This preventive action allows the tracker to operate at optimal safe limits without risking contact with accumulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, calculate a first angle for the tracker based on the position of the sun, detect an amount of accumulation at the first specific point in time, determine a first maximum range of motion for the tracker based on the amount of accumulation, adjust the first angle for the tracker based on the first maximum range of motion for the tracker, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first adjusted angle.