Solar tracking system and method of operation
AssigneeOMCO Solar, LLC
InventorsMatt Kesler, Lepolve Varpilah
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar tracking system is provided having a pivoting table driven for rotation about an axis of rotation through a rotational angle range. The pivoting table includes a longitudinally extending beam and a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported by and pivoting with the beam. The system also includes an actuator coupled to the beam for rotating the pivoting table about the axis of rotation through the rotational angle range. A controller is provided for activating the actuator to control rotational angular position of the table.
Claims20
A solar tracking system comprising:
- a pivoting table driven for rotation about an axis of rotation through a rotational angle range, the pivoting table including at least one longitudinally extending beam and a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported by and pivoting with the beam;
- an actuator coupled to the beam for rotating the pivoting table about the axis of rotation through the rotational angle range;
- and
- a controller for activating said actuator to control rotational angular position of the table to at least one first and second prescribed rotations during operation of the solar tracker system to optimize the receipt of the sun's radiation onto said photovoltaic modules, such that said first prescribed rotation is at a first location rotated in a first direction beyond a targeted angle of incidence to the pivoting table and said second prescribed rotation is at a second location rotated in a second direction opposite said first direction.
A method of controlling an angle of inclination of a pivoting table of a solar tracker system, the method comprising the steps of:
- rotating a table driven about an axis of rotation through a rotational angle range, the pivoting table having a longitudinally extending beam and a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported by and pivoting with the beam;
- providing an actuator coupled to the beam for rotating the pivoting table about the axis of rotation through the rotational angle range;
- and
- activating said actuator with a controller to control rotational angular position of the table to at least one prescribed overshoot rotation and at least one prescribed angular return rotation during operation of the solar tracker system.
A solar tracking system comprising:
- a pivoting table driven for rotation about an axis of rotation through a rotational angle range, the pivoting table including a longitudinally extending beam and a plurality of photovoltaic modules supported by and pivoting with the beam;
- an actuator coupled to the beam for rotating the pivoting table about the axis of rotation through the rotational angle range;
- and
- a controller for activating said actuator to control rotational angular position of the table to at least a prescribed rotation during operation when said controller infers a displaced condition of the solar tracker system to optimize the receipt of the sun's radiation onto said photovoltaic modules, such that said first prescribed rotation is at a first location rotated in a first direction at targeted angle of incidence plus a delta displacement angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.