Solar Tracker Control Parameter Evaluation to Minimize Shading Losses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for optimizing the energy performance of solar power plants by controlling solar trackers do not adequately account for disparities in the location of solar modules, leading to inefficiencies and increased shading risks, which reduce energy production.
Innovation Solution
A method for evaluating control parameters of solar trackers that involves recording coordinates of ground connection points, determining inclinations and relative positioning parameters of solar modules, and calculating specific control parameters for each tracker to minimize shading and optimize energy performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If global control parameters are predefined for the entire solar power plant, then the control system is simple to implement, but energy performance is not optimized due to terrain disparities and shading risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solar power plant into individual solar tracker units, each with its own control parameters. Instead of applying a single global control strategy to the entire plant, the system segments the control into modular units that can be independently optimized based on their specific terrain conditions and relative positioning to neighboring trackers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by determining control parameters specific to each solar tracker based on its unique characteristics. The control parameters are calculated using the actual coordinates of ground connection points and relative positioning to direct neighboring tables, allowing each tracker to be optimized for its local terrain conditions rather than using a uniform global approach.
2Ease of manufacture
If solar modules are installed to minimize slopes between adjacent modules, then installation complexity is reduced, but shading risks increase due to terrain disparities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by recording the actual coordinates of ground connection points during installation and using these measurements to calculate optimal control parameters before the tracking operation begins. The system determines inclinations and relative positioning parameters in advance, allowing the solar trackers to compensate for terrain disparities through controlled angular adjustments rather than requiring perfect physical alignment during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by transitioning from fixed physical installation geometry to dynamic control parameters. Instead of requiring precise physical alignment of modules during installation, the system uses calculated control parameters (inclinations, relative positioning parameters) that can be adjusted through the tracking mechanism to compensate for terrain variations and minimize shading.
3Productivity
If independent control parameters are calculated for each solar tracker, then energy performance is optimized, but measurement and calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized control parameter determination method that can be applied to all solar trackers in the plant. The same process of recording ground connection coordinates, calculating inclinations, and determining relative positioning parameters is universally applied to each tracker, making the complex measurement process systematic and repeatable rather than ad hoc.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by recording the actual coordinates of ground connection points as a reference that is then used to calculate control parameters. The system creates a digital representation of the physical installation geometry, which is then processed to determine the optimal control parameters for each tracker based on its recorded position and orientation.
4Device complexity
If global control parameters are used for all solar modules, then device complexity is minimized, but energy losses from shading increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control parameter structure from a single global set into multiple independent sets, one for each solar tracker. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple individual tracker controls while avoiding the energy losses that would result from using overly simplified global parameters that cannot account for local terrain variations and relative positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assessing parameters for controlling (100) a solar tracker including modules which include a table of means for processing solar radiation which is movable on means for connecting to the ground, which comprises the steps of: a- detecting (110), for each connection means, spatial coordinates of a point for connection with the table; b- for each module: i. determining a tilt of the table from the determined spatial coordinates; ii. determining spatial coordinates of a series of reference points of the table from the spatial coordinates and the tilt; c- determining, for each module, positioning parameters of the table relative to directly adjacent tables, from the spatial coordinates of the reference points; and d- determining (130) parameters for controlling (140) the tracker from the tilt and the relative positioning parameters of the tables of the tracker.