Method for predictive control of the orientation of a solar tracker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-axis solar trackers face yield deficits and increased electrical consumption due to frequent orientation changes in response to rapidly varying diffuse solar radiation caused by cloud movements, leading to inefficient energy production and mechanical wear.
Innovation Solution
A method that predicts the evolution of cloud coverage to anticipate the optimal inclination angle for solar trackers, reducing unnecessary orientation changes by using an observation system to map solar luminance and calculate future optimal angles, thereby balancing energy productivity and electrical consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If real-time servo-control of solar tracker orientation is implemented to track maximum solar radiation, then energy yield is improved, but electrical consumption and mechanical wear increase due to frequent orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting future cloud coverage and calculating optimal inclination angles in advance before they become necessary. The system uses observed cloud evolution to anticipate changes in diffuse solar radiation and pre-position the solar tracker at optimal angles, reducing the need for reactive orientation changes and thereby lowering electrical consumption and mechanical wear while maintaining energy yield.
2Productivity
If real-time servo-control of solar tracker orientation is implemented to track maximum solar radiation, then energy yield is improved, but mechanical wear increases due to frequent orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of optimal inclination angles based on predicted cloud evolution, allowing the solar tracker to be positioned in advance rather than making frequent reactive adjustments. This reduces the frequency of mechanical movements, thereby decreasing wear on mechanical components while maintaining the ability to track optimal radiation angles for energy yield.
3Productivity
If solar tracker orientation is adjusted to follow diffuse solar radiation under cloudy conditions, then energy yield is improved, but the complexity of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary prediction model that translates observed cloud coverage evolution into predicted optimal inclination angles. This intermediary layer simplifies the control complexity by providing a direct mapping from cloud observations to control actions, avoiding the need for complex real-time optimization algorithms while still achieving improved energy yield under cloudy conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach minimizes energy losses and mechanical wear by strategically adjusting the solar tracker's orientation based on predicted optimal angles, ensuring maximum energy yield while reducing frequent and energy-costly adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
measuring with a set of photosensitive cells distributed according to several elevation angles and according to several azimuth angles
Implementation Method 2
The diffuse solar radiation Rdif arises when the direct solar radiation Rdir is dispersed in the clouds NU and the atmospheric particles. The diffuse solar radiation Rdif results from the diffraction of light by the clouds NU and by the various molecules in suspension in the atmosphere.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method implementing the following steps:a) observing the evolution over time of the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1);b) determining the evolution over time of an optimum inclination angle of the solar tracker (1) substantially corresponding to a maximum of solar radiation on the solar tracker (1), depending on the observed cloud coverage;(c) predicting the future evolution of the cloud coverage based on the observed prior evolution of the cloud coverage;d) calculating the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle according to the prediction of the future evolution of the cloud coverage;e) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker (1) according to the prior evolution of the optimum inclination angle and depending on the future evolution of the optimum inclination angle.The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.