Servo controller for sun tracking solar panel support - uses photodetectors mounted in shade of vertical wall for position control using electric motor

摘要

A fixed detector (11) comprises a photodetector (12) on an inclined opaque plate (14) facing the south. Behind the plate is a second photodetector (13) sensing diffused radiation. A detector (8) on a mobile assembly comprises two photodetectors (17,18) on either side of a vertical opaque wall (19) shaded by a narrow strip (20). Another detector (21) outside the range of the shade of the wall is located on the East side of the assembly. The detector outputs are applied to a control unit (15) powered by photocells (7) through a regulator (23) and battery (22). The control unit provides drive control signals for an electric motor (16) and also for a hydraulic pump (23) providing hydraulic interconnection between the solar receiving panels. The motor drives a pulley wheel (3) on a track on the frame of the panel support structure to track the solar radiation.