Solar Tracker Wind Fence Configuration to Reduce Structural Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar tracking systems are inadequate in managing wind forces, leading to uncontrollable movement of solar modules and increased resonance, which can result in damage to supporting components.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracker apparatus with a torque tube and spatially configured solar modules that can change direction to act as a wind fence, allowing the system to adjust its configuration based on wind characteristics, with modules in an interior zone oriented normally to gravity and those in an exterior zone configured to divert wind, thereby protecting the interior modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar modules are configured to track the sun continuously, then energy collection efficiency is improved, but wind resistance and structural stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on wind conditions. The control system monitors wind characteristics and modifies the tracker's position or orientation to reduce wind resistance during high-wind events while maintaining optimal sun-tracking during normal conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (such as tracking angle, speed, or temporary shutdown) in response to wind condition parameters. When wind speed exceeds certain thresholds, the system alters its tracking behavior to minimize exposure to wind forces, thereby maintaining structural stability while still capturing energy during favorable conditions.
2Productivity
If solar modules are made larger to increase energy capture, then productivity is improved, but wind load and structural stress increase
Solution Approach 1:
Larger solar modules are equipped with active control systems that adjust their position or orientation in real-time based on wind conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the modules to present a smaller effective area to the wind during high-wind events, reducing the wind load and structural stress while maintaining their large size for maximum energy capture during calm conditions.
3Productivity
If conventional tracking mechanisms are used to follow the sun, then energy conversion is improved, but wind management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker system performs multiple functions: it tracks the sun for energy optimization and simultaneously manages wind loads for structural protection. The control system integrates both solar position data and wind condition data to make unified decisions about tracker positioning, making the system universal in handling both energy maximization and wind protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the solar tracking function and wind protection function. This intermediary processes information from both solar position and wind sensors, then coordinates the mechanical response to achieve both energy optimization and wind management objectives simultaneously, rather than treating them as separate conflicting functions.
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 effectively manages wind forces by configuring solar modules to act as wind fences, reducing the risk of damage and optimizing energy collection across varying wind conditions, ensuring the stability and efficiency of solar energy harvesting.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of solar modules configured to change a direction of on-coming wind to move substantially over a plurality of solar modules configured on the plurality of tracker apparatus in the interior zone
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracker array has solar modules that may be configured to operate as a wind fence according to a wind characteristic.