Solar Sun Tracker With A-Shaped Modules for Seasonal Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sun trackers are often complex and impractical for small installations, and they fail to automatically adjust for seasonal changes in the sun's position, limiting the efficiency and reliability of solar energy capture.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered sun tracker system that uses a combination of motors and solar modules in an A-shaped configuration to tilt and rotate solar panels to maintain optimal alignment with the sun throughout the day and across seasons, powered by a controller that alternates energy sources among multiple solar module pairs to ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sun trackers are used to maintain optimal solar panel orientation, then solar energy capture efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases making them impractical for small installations
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker system is divided into multiple independent functional modules: a first motor for azimuth rotation, a second motor for elevation adjustment, and multiple pairs of solar modules (first pair for powering the first motor, second pair for controlling the second motor). Each module operates semi-independently, allowing the system to be segmented into manageable components that can be implemented at various scales, making it suitable for both small domestic and large industrial installations.
2Device complexity
If fixed solar panel orientation is used to simplify installation, then device complexity is reduced, but solar energy capture efficiency decreases due to inability to track seasonal sun position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel mounting system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through two motors: the first motor enables azimuth rotation to follow the sun's east-west movement, and the second motor adjusts elevation angles to compensate for seasonal changes in the sun's path. This dynamic positioning system allows the panels to adapt their orientation continuously, maintaining optimal energy capture throughout the year while preserving installation simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the second pair of solar modules detects the sun's position and generates control signals that automatically adjust the second motor's elevation angle. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the panels maintain optimal orientation without complex manual intervention, balancing installation simplicity with sustained high efficiency across varying seasonal conditions.
3Device complexity
If single solar module configuration is used to reduce component count, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to inability to provide continuous power throughout the day
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple pairs of solar modules with different orientations and timing characteristics into a unified power system. The first pair of solar modules is positioned to capture morning sunlight and power the first motor, while the second pair captures afternoon sunlight to control the second motor. This combination of multiple solar module pairs ensures continuous power generation throughout the day, with each pair compensating for the others' limitations, thereby enhancing system reliability without requiring excessive individual components.
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
The system increases solar energy capture efficiency, simplifies installation, and provides reliable performance over an extended period, accommodating changes in the sun's position, making it suitable for various installations from domestic to industrial scales.
Implementation Method 1
a first pair of solar modules extending along the horizontal direction and arrayed in an A-shaped cross-sectional configuration substantially symmetrical about the first aiming direction, the first pair of solar modules being mounted for movement with the platform to tilt with the platform about the horizontal direction and connected to the first motor for powering the first motor to tilt the platform so as to move the first aiming direction into an optimum alignment with the sun in response to exposure of the first pair of solar modules to the sun
Data Source
AI summary
A power solar panel is maintained in an optimum position relative to the sun during daylight as the sun traverses a solar track elevated above the horizon and extending from a sunrise location to a sunset location during each day of consecutive days of the year by utilizing solar energy to power a sun tracker which carries the power solar panel. The sun tracker includes pairs of solar modules wherein the solar modules are arrayed in an A-shaped cross-sectional configuration for being aimed directly at the sun in response to exposure to the sun, and the pairs of solar modules power motors which tilt the solar panel about a horizontal direction and rotate the power solar panel about a vertical direction to maintain optimum alignment with the sun during the course of a day. Two of the pairs of solar modules are connected alternately to a motor that rotates the solar panel about the vertical direction and are mounted spaced apart in transverse directions, diametrically opposite one another with respect to the vertical direction, and for tilting about lateral directions to aim each of the two pairs toward the solar track such that a first one of the two pairs powers the motor during one day of consecutive days, and the second one of the two pairs powers the motor during a next-consecutive day, thereby compensating for daily changes in the solar track and providing power for effective operation during consecutive days throughout the year.