SOLAR TRACKER DRIVE

摘要

A sun-tracking solar drive can include hardware and/or be operated in accordance with a method in which angular deviations are compensated for operation including during forward tracking and backtracking. For example, the effects of thermal expansion and mechanical slop associated with certain components can be calculated and used for calculation of target angles that can provide for increased power output and improved shading avoidance.

主权项

1. A solar energy collection system comprising:
a first array of solar energy collection devices mounted so as to be movable between first and second positions; a second array of solar energy collection devices spaced from the first array and mounted so as to be movable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position, the first and second arrays face more towards a westerly direction, and wherein in the second position the first and second arrays face more towards an easterly direction; a drive system comprising an actuator, a first drive link connecting the actuator with the first array and a second drive link connecting the actuator with the second array; at least a first angle sensor configured to detect a first operational parameter of the solar energy collection system, the first operational parameter being an angle of orientation of at least a first portion of the solar energy collection system which changes as the first and second arrays move between the first and second positions and configured to output a first signal indicative of the detected angle of orientation; at least a second sensor configured to detect a second operational parameter of the solar energy collection system and to output a second signal indicative of a value of the detected second operational parameter; and a controller connected to the drive system and the first and second sensors, the controller configured to drive the actuator based on the output of both the first and second sensors.