Solar tracking system
AssigneeSolar Systems Pty Ltd.
InventorJohn Beavis Lasich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a solar tracking system for controlling the alignment of an instrument with respect to the sun, the instrument having a solar radiation receiver and a solar radiation collector for collecting solar radiation and directing the radiation towards the receiver, the system having: at least first and second detectors locatable so as to move with the receiver and receive radiation from the collector, for generating respective first and second output signals according to their respective exposure to solar radiation from the collector; a comparison means for comparing the first and second outputs and producing a comparison signal indicative thereof; and control means for controlling the alignment of the instrument according to the comparison signal.
Claims12
A solar tracking system for controlling the alignment of a solar power generator with respect to the sun, said generator having a solar radiation receiver comprising an array of power generating photovoltaic cells for converting solar radiation into electric current and a solar radiation collector for collecting solar radiation and directing said radiation towards said receiver, said system comprising:
- a comparison mechanism for receiving and comparing a first signal from a first cell of said photovoltaic cells, the first signal being indicative of exposure of said first cell to solar radiation from said collector and a second signal from a second cell of said photovoltaic cells the second signal being indicative of exposure of said second cell to solar radiation from said collector and for producing at least one comparison signal therefrom;
- and
- control mechanism for controlling said alignment according to said comparison signal;
- wherein said first cell and said second cell both contribute to the power output of said solar power generator and provide sianals for the alignment of said solar power generator.
A method of solar tracking for controlling the alignment of a solar power generator with respect to the sun, said generator having a solar radiation receiver comprising an array of power generating photovoltaic cells for converting solar radiation into electric current and a solar radiation collector for collecting solar radiation and directing said radiation towards said receiver, said method comprising:
- comparing a first signal from a first cell of photovoltaic cells, the first signal being indicative of exposure of said first cell to solar radiation from said collector and a second signal from a second cell of said photovoltaic cells, the second signal being indicative of exposure of said second cell to solar radiation from said collector, and producing at least one comparison signal therefrom;
- and
- controlling said alignment according to said comparison signal;
- wherein said first cell and said second cell both contribute to the power output of said solar power generator and provide signals for the alignment of said solar power generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.