Photovoltaic system with managed output and method of managing variability of output from a photovoltaic system

摘要

Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic system, comprising:
a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy; a sensor configured to determine an orientation of at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic modules; and an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more modules of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide an altered output from the photovoltaic system based, at least in part, on a prediction of output of the photovoltaic system and on an acceptable power plant ramp rate of a power plant associated with the photovoltaic system, wherein the altered output is a reduced output, and wherein the orientation system is configured to alter the orientation of the one or more modules of the plurality of photovoltaic modules by tilting the one or more modules of the plurality of photovoltaic modules away from a direct solar energy pathway, and wherein an output from the sensor is usable to determine how many modules to tilt away from a maximum collection positioning, and to what extent to the tilting should be performed.