Solar Tracker Self-Commissioning With Mesh Gateway Redundancy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar tracker commissioning processes require physical operator intervention for configuring solar tracker controllers, which increases start-up time and vulnerability to communication system failures, and lacks redundancy for efficient and accurate configuration.
Innovation Solution
A self-commissioning method utilizing a mesh communications network with wireless connectivity and a gateway system that dynamically provides configuration parameters to solar tracker controllers, allowing them to connect to the network and switch to auxiliary gateways in case of primary gateway failure, reducing start-up time and enhancing redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical operator intervention is used for configuring solar tracker controllers, then configuration accuracy is ensured, but start-up time increases and vulnerability to communication failures occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker controller automatically obtains configuration parameters by connecting to the gateway through communication means (wireless or wired), eliminating the need for manual operator input. The controller self-configures by receiving parameters such as system location, longitude, latitude, and panel position information directly from the gateway, thereby reducing start-up time while maintaining configuration accuracy through automated parameter transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A gateway is introduced as an intermediary device that stores configuration parameters and transmits them to solar tracker controllers automatically. The gateway acts as a mediator between the control system and the tracker controllers, enabling automated configuration without direct operator intervention at each tracker, thus reducing start-up time while ensuring accurate parameter delivery.
2Ease of operation
If physical operator intervention is used for configuring solar tracker controllers, then direct configuration control is maintained, but redundancy and reliability against communication failures are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration parameters are pre-stored in the gateway before commissioning begins. The gateway has the capability to automatically transmit these parameters to multiple solar tracker controllers without requiring real-time operator intervention. This preliminary preparation ensures that even if communication failures occur during commissioning, the parameters are already available and can be transmitted when connectivity is restored, thereby enhancing reliability and redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from manual parameter input to automated parameter transmission. Configuration parameters such as system location, longitude, latitude, and panel position information are dynamically transmitted from the gateway to the controllers through communication networks. This parameter change approach enables the system to adapt to communication availability, maintaining reliability by using pre-prepared parameters that can be delivered when communication channels are available.
3Extent of automation
If direct operator access is required for configuration, then configuration security is maintained, but automation and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker controllers automatically initiate connection to the gateway and request configuration parameters without operator intervention. The entire commissioning process is automated, with controllers self-configuring by receiving parameters through communication means. This self-service approach dramatically increases commissioning productivity while maintaining security through controlled parameter transmission from the gateway, eliminating the need for operators to physically access each tracker.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration parameters are prepared and stored in the gateway in advance before commissioning operations begin. This preliminary action enables automated distribution of parameters to multiple controllers simultaneously or sequentially without operator involvement, significantly improving commissioning productivity. Security is maintained because the gateway controls parameter release, ensuring only authorized controllers receive configuration data.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to electric solar trackers moving solar panels and being controlled by a solar tracker controller. More precisely the object of the invention is aimed to a commissioning procedure of solar power plants. The invention accounts for a mesh communications network, multiple gateways respectively associated to each solar tracker controller; the gateways acting between the mesh communication network and a solar plant communications system wherein each solar tracker controller is assigned a unique serial number comprising ID, position on the solar plant of the solar tracker associated to the solar tracker controller. The gateway determining a solar tracker as being available for commissioning and sending configuration data to the solar tracker controller of the solar tracker available for commissioning, the configuration data including information of auxiliary gateways to connect to in case a primary gateway fails.