Problems of the Regional Energetics (Dec 2017)
Tracking Systems for Orientation of Solar Panels and Optimization of their Positioning Using Three-coordinate Platforms
Abstract
Two-coordinate platforms equipped with orientation systems are 40-45% more effective than stationary installations. However, there are other factors affecting the efficiency of solar installations. In particular, the shading on the panels’ surfaces when panels, located in rows, are casting shadows on each other. This negatively affects the efficiency of photovoltaic installations. Previous experience in the design of photovoltaic systems shows that neither stationary platforms nor two-coordinate installations completely eliminate energy losses due to shadow formation. The only way to mitigate this negative impact is to increase the distance between the panels. At the same time, and the density ratio (the ratio of the panel area to the area of the land) does not exceed 0.2. Our goal is to develop kinematic schemes and software control systems for three coordinate platforms that can avoid shadow formation on panels placed in constrained spaces. The result of our work is a numerical method that solves the optimization problem for controlling the motion of a set of platforms and a rational kinematic scheme for three coordinate platforms. This problem is especially relevant for solar photovoltaic systems located on space stations. In space, the changes in temperature between shaded and shadow-free sections of panels is enormous, due to temperature stress, the panels get destroyed and require expensive repairs. Three-coordinate tracking can reduce the surface occupied by solar panels by about 3 times compared to the currently used solutions and increased module placement densities from 0.2 to 0.6.
