Systems and methods for terrain based backtracking for solar trackers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Solar trackers installed on uneven terrain face significant shading issues due to differences in elevation, leading to reduced solar energy collection and increased shadowing, especially during dawn and dusk when the sun's angle is low.
Innovation Solution
A system with a rotational mechanism and a controller that uses positional and height information to execute a shadow model, determining optimal angles for each tracker to minimize shadows and maximize solar irradiance by adjusting the plane of the tracker based on the sun's position and terrain data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If solar trackers are installed on uneven terrain to maximize land use, then land utilization is improved, but shadowing between trackers increases due to elevation differences
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 each tracker's orientation dynamically throughout the day to prevent shadowing on adjacent trackers, transforming a static installation problem into a dynamic control solution that adapts to changing solar angles and terrain variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of trackers by adjusting their tilt and azimuth angles based on calculated optimal positions. The controller modifies these parameters in response to sun position calculations and terrain elevation data, allowing trackers to operate at different angles than their maximum energy-collection positions to eliminate shadowing effects on neighboring units.
2Productivity
If trackers are positioned to follow the sun's path to maximize energy collection, then solar energy collection is improved, but shadowing occurs during dawn and dusk when the sun's angle is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by calculating predicted shadow positions before they occur and preemptively adjusting tracker angles to prevent shadowing. The controller uses sun position algorithms and terrain data to anticipate when shadowing will happen during dawn and dusk, and adjusts tracker orientations in advance to avoid casting shadows on adjacent trackers while minimizing energy collection loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating optimal tracker angles that balance energy collection and shadow prevention. The system computes these angles in advance based on terrain elevation data and sun position predictions, then implements the adjustments before the shadowing problem actually occurs, ensuring continuous optimization of both energy collection and shadow mitigation.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple solar trackers are installed in close proximity to reduce land use, then land utilization is improved, but interference between trackers increases leading to shadowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing individualized control for each tracker based on its specific location, terrain elevation, and orientation. The controller calculates and adjusts the angle for each tracker independently according to local conditions, allowing dense tracker spacing while preventing shadowing. Each tracker receives customized angle adjustments tailored to its local environment rather than uniform control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the controller continuously monitors sun position, calculates shadow trajectories, and adjusts tracker angles in real-time based on this feedback. The loop processes terrain data and solar position information to determine optimal angles, then verifies the effectiveness of adjustments and makes further modifications as needed to maintain shadow-free operation throughout the day.
Data Source
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.