Solar Tracker Cluster Control Using Average Performance Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a cluster of solar trackers, uniform control is challenging, especially when adequate solar tracking is delayed, leading to inefficiencies in power generation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where each solar tracker detects and transmits power generation, altitude, and azimuth information to a server, which calculates averages and compares them to determine normal operation, and adjusts tracker positions using GPS information and illuminance data to ensure efficient control and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cluster of solar trackers is deployed to increase power generation capacity, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases making uniform control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple solar trackers are merged into a cluster configuration where they share common control infrastructure. The server consolidates data from all trackers and provides centralized control, allowing the system to achieve uniform control across the cluster while maintaining individual tracker functionality. This resolves the contradiction by combining multiple units to increase capacity while using shared control elements to manage complexity.
2Ease of operation
If solar trackers operate independently without centralized coordination, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information occurs leading to inadequate solar tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback loops where each solar tracker continuously monitors its own operational status, power generation output, and environmental conditions. This data is transmitted to the server, which processes the information and sends back control commands to optimize tracking accuracy. The feedback mechanism ensures that independent trackers remain coordinated and maintain accurate solar tracking without requiring constant centralized intervention.
3Measurement precision
If centralized control is implemented to improve uniform control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between individual solar trackers and the centralized control system. The server receives data from trackers, processes information about solar position and tracker status, and generates control commands. This intermediary layer simplifies the control architecture by centralizing intelligence in the server while keeping individual trackers relatively simple, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of controlling a cluster of solar trackers in which a plurality of solar trackers exist as a cluster shape. The method includes detecting, by each of the cluster of solar trackers, one or more of power generation amount information, altitude information, and azimuth information thereof and transmitting the detected power generation amount information, altitude information, or azimuth information to a server, calculating, by the server, average power generation amount information, average altitude information, or average azimuth information using the power generation amount information, altitude information, or azimuth information of each of the cluster of solar trackers, and determining whether the cluster of solar trackers is normal by comparing the calculated average power generation amount information, average altitude information, or average azimuth information with the power generation amount information, altitude information, or azimuth information detected by each of the cluster of solar trackers.