Staged stowage of solar trackers and method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar tracker systems face challenges in managing dynamic response to wind, leading to increased power consumption and structural stress, resulting in reduced energy production and potential damage from torsional excitation and wind loading.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjust the angle of solar trackers based on wind speed, using a predetermined threshold and interval to position windward and leeward trackers at specific angles, while maintaining other trackers in normal operation, and employing a control algorithm to minimize shading and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all solar trackers are positioned to reduce wind loading, then structural stress and torsional excitation are minimized, but energy production is significantly reduced due to reduced tracking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker array is divided into multiple independent segments or groups that can be controlled separately. Instead of positioning all trackers uniformly, the system segments them into different control zones, allowing selective positioning of only those trackers experiencing high wind loads while maintaining normal operation of others, thus balancing structural protection with energy production.
Solution Approach 2:
Different positioning strategies are applied to different locations within the tracker array based on local wind conditions. Trackers in areas experiencing higher wind loads are positioned to reduce stress, while trackers in more protected areas continue tracking the sun normally. This localized approach optimizes the balance between structural integrity and energy generation.
2Productivity
If solar trackers are made larger to accommodate more solar cells, then energy generation capability increases, but power consumption and structural stress from wind loading increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts tracker positioning based on real-time wind conditions rather than maintaining fixed positions. During high wind events, trackers are temporarily positioned to reduce loading, but return to normal tracking operation when conditions improve. This dynamic approach allows larger trackers to be used while minimizing their exposure to damaging forces and reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (tracker angle and position) in response to varying wind conditions. By adjusting the positioning parameter based on wind speed and direction, the system optimizes the balance between energy generation capability and structural stress reduction, allowing larger trackers to operate efficiently without excessive power consumption or damage risk.
3Reliability
If more components are added to reduce torsional excitation, then structural integrity improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts or removes the need for additional structural components by using intelligent control of existing tracker positioning. Instead of adding more support structures, braces, or reinforcement elements to handle torsional excitation, the system uses selective positioning of trackers to naturally reduce wind-induced loads, thereby maintaining structural integrity without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of managing dynamic response to wind in a solar tracker system are provided. The method includes determining a wind speed, comparing the wind speed to a predetermined threshold value to determine if the wind speed equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, positioning a windward most solar tracker to a predetermined angle based on the comparing, and positioning a leeward most solar tracker to the predetermined angle based on the comparing. The solar trackers are positioned at the predetermined angle at a predetermined interval starting at the windward most solar tracker and the remaining solar trackers remain in a normal operating condition.