Solar Tracker Backtracking Using 3D Row Geometry to Limit Shading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In solar tracker installations, adjacent rows of photovoltaic modules shade each other during early morning and late evening hours due to normal tracking modes, leading to reduced energy output, exacerbated by ground undulations that increase shading duration and area.
Innovation Solution
A backtracking algorithm calculates adjusted angles of inclination for adjacent solar tracker assemblies using three-dimensional coordinates and sun position data to mitigate shading, implemented through imaging and pivoting tables to allow sunlight between modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If normal solar tracking mode is used, then photovoltaic modules can follow the sun's path to maximize energy output, but adjacent rows of modules shade each other during early morning and late evening hours, reducing energy output
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the angle of inclination of adjacent solar tracker assemblies based on real-time sun position and spacing calculations. During morning and evening backtracking periods, the tables are positioned at different angles to prevent shading, while during midday normal tracking mode, all tables follow the sun's path. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the tracking system adaptive to both energy maximization and shading prevention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different tables (adjacent solar tracker assemblies) are assigned different angle of inclination values based on their specific position and the time of day. During backtracking periods, odd-numbered tables and even-numbered tables have different inclination angles to create alternating shading patterns that prevent mutual shading. This local differentiation allows each table to have optimized positioning for its specific location, resolving the shading conflict while maintaining overall system productivity.
2Productivity
If tables are positioned to follow the sun's path, then energy output is maximized, but ground undulations increase shading duration and area
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of angle of inclination values during backtracking periods to proactively prevent shading before it occurs. By calculating and positioning tables at appropriate angles during morning and evening periods, the system anticipates and eliminates shading issues caused by ground undulations, rather than reacting to shading after it occurs. This preliminary positioning reduces shading duration and protects energy output.
3Quantity of substance
If adjacent solar tracker assemblies are spaced closer together, then installation density increases, but shading between adjacent rows increases during morning and evening hours
Solution Approach 1:
The backtracking mode enables closer spacing of solar tracker assemblies by dynamically adjusting their angles during morning and evening periods. The alternating angle positioning creates gaps in the shading pattern, allowing adjacent rows to be placed closer together without suffering from continuous mutual shading. This dynamic angle adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling higher installation density while maintaining acceptable shading levels through active angle management.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of backtracking for a solar tracker installation utilizing a backtracking algorithm to calculate angles of inclination values for the tables of each of the solar tracker assemblies in the solar tracker installation during a backtracking period including morning backtracking period and evening backtracking period periods wherein the calculated table angles of inclination values mitigate undesirable shading of photovoltaic modules of a solar tracker assembly by adjacent row solar tracker assemblies during morning and evening backtracking periods that would otherwise occur with a normal solar tracking mode. Ends of the torque tube beam of each solar tracker assembly are imaged to provide three dimensional coordinates associated with the torque tube beam ends. Vertical position data is input to the backtracking algorithm, taking into account vertical differences of adjacent solar tracker assemblies in calculating table angles of inclination values for each of the solar tracker assemblies during the backtracking period.