Solar Tracking Controller Atributes
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Your Solar Tracking Strategic Advantage Michael Orshan Executive Director P4Q Suntack
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Transcript of Solar Tracking Controller Atributes
Your Solar TrackingStrategic Advantage
Michael Orshan
Executive Director
P4Q Suntack
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 2
The Opportunity!Over the next 10 years $1.2T of solar energy will be
installed and over 1/3 need trackers
Green Media
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 3
Parts of A Solar Tracker
: http://www.projectfreepower.com/2008/07
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 4
Motor is Key to Tracking Success
• Major Motor Topics– Motion mechanics– Machine controller
• Controller instructs the engine– What is being sensed– How to react– Where to move to– When to move
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 5
Controller Essentials
• Types of Technology
• Movement options
• Sun positioning
• Precision
• Access to Manager
• Motor power options
• Sensors supportedWikipedia
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 6
Controller Capable of All Technologies?
PV
Concentrated PV
Solar Tower
Thermal Power
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 7
Can the controller handle dual and single axis options?
• CPV requires dual axis
• PV can be dual or single axis
• CSP is single axis
• Towers are dual axis
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 8
How does tracker find sun?
• Timer Method– Place the array Southeast and let the timer run on expected
route– Pro: Inexpensive– Con: Misses a lot of light, inaccurate, lower energy output
• Sun sensor only– Array continuously searches for strongest light– Pro: Inexpensive logic– Con: Uses energy to find sun
• Closed loop manual entry– Input longitude and latitude– Pro: High level of precision– Con: Clouds and shadows effect light input
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 9
How does tracker find sun?
• Closed Loop GPS– Uses GPS to find the sun– Pro: High level of precision– Con: Additional GPS costs, clouds/shadows
• Closed Loop with Sun sensor– Uses a sun sensor for minor corrections– Pro: Higher level of precision with clouds– Con: Must limit the amount of movement to
save power• Closed Loop with Sun sensor and
Backtracking– Uses the sensor to limit shadows on other
arrays– Pro: Highest Level of Precision– Con: Must limit the amount of movement to
save power
Backtracking
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 10
How accurate is the controller?
• CPV and Towers requires 10th of a degree
• PV and CSP can be less accurate
“The more accurate the more power generated”
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/25/804559/-Oz-Solar-TechnologiesWith-Poll
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 11
How to configure via Hardware?
• Manually– Go into every box,
configure via jumper cables– Pros: Simple– Cons: Time consuming,
static, no security-anyone can change this
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 12
How to configure thru software?
• Computer Interface– Direct to Device only
• Pro: Simple interface• Con: Must be on site
– Direct/Wireless to Server• Pro: Can customize data display• Con: Closed system; proprietary
interfaces
– Direct/Wireless to Network• Pro: Easy to access and move data
to open managers• Con: Open data requires mapping
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 13
What Motor options?
• Hydraulic – Used to move heaviest items– Requires about 6.3amps
• AC – Used to move fairly heavy items– Requires about 1amp
• DC Brushed or Brushless– Used for fairly heavy to really light items– Requires about 400 watts
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 14
What types of sensors?
• Sun sensors for amount of light
• Sun sensors for shadows
• Inclinometers for angles
• Anemometer for wind speed
You might ask whether one controller does all of this…
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 16
SuntrackPro Does it All
Capable of all technologiesSingle or dual axisClosed Loop with Sun sensor and
BacktrackingAccurate to a 10th of a degreeDirect/Wireless to Network Can use Hydraulic, AC, or DC motorsUses all sensors
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 18
Let’s Talk If You…
• Want product flexibility
• Need a high volume partner
• Demand an experienced engineering staff
• Require a price that keeps you competitive
04/12/23 [email protected] 505 920 3620 19
