Solar Tracker Terrain-Based Backtracking to Reduce Shadow Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solar trackers face challenges in maximizing energy production and minimizing shadows due to terrain variations and overlapping installations, leading to inefficient sunlight absorption and reduced energy yield.

Innovation Solution

A system with a tracker attached to a rotational mechanism, controlled by a processor that stores positional information and a shadow model, determines optimal angles for the tracker based on the sun's position and height differences with adjacent trackers, adjusting the tracker's plane to minimize shadows and maximize solar irradiance collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple solar trackers are installed on vast land to maximize energy production, then solar energy collection is improved, but shadow interference between trackers increases and reduces sunlight absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar energy productionVSAvoidshadow interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic backtracking adjustment where trackers continuously modify their angles based on real-time sun position and terrain data. The controller adjusts tracker orientations dynamically throughout the day to prevent shadow casting on adjacent trackers while maintaining optimal energy collection, transforming the static tracker arrangement into an adaptive system that responds to changing environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of trackers by adjusting their tilt and azimuth angles based on calculated shadow patterns. The controller modifies these parameters in response to sun position changes and terrain variations, allowing trackers to operate at non-optimal angles temporarily to avoid shadow interference and ensure continuous sunlight absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If solar trackers are installed on uneven terrain with elevation changes, then land use flexibility is improved, but shadow interference between trackers increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidshadow interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the backtracking adjustment for each individual tracker based on its specific terrain context. The system retrieves elevation data for each tracker location and calculates shadow patterns specific to that local environment, allowing each tracker to adapt its angle independently according to the unique topographical features of its immediate surroundings rather than applying a uniform adjustment across all trackers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary shadow analysis using stored terrain elevation data and sun position calculations before adjusting tracker angles. By pre-calculating potential shadow interference patterns based on terrain morphology and anticipated sun positions, the controller can proactively adjust tracker orientations to prevent shadow casting rather than reacting after shadows occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If trackers adjust angles to follow the sun path to maximize energy collection, then solar irradiance absorption is improved, but shadow casting on adjacent trackers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolar irradiance absorptionVSAvoidshadow casting

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of shadow casting into a beneficial control mechanism. By calculating the shadow patterns that would be generated by sun-tracking movements, the system uses this information to adjust tracker angles in a way that eliminates shadow interference while maintaining near-optimal energy collection. The potential harm of shadowing is transformed into useful data for optimizing overall array performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11139775B1Systems and methods for terrain based backtracking for solar trackers

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 FTC SOLAR INC

AI summary

A system is provided. The system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional information and a shadow model for determining placement of shadows based on positions of objects relative to the sun, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information for the tracker and at least one adjacent tracker, execute the shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker based on the executed shadow model, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first angle.