Techniques for monitoring solar array performance and applications thereof

An automated method of monitoring a photovoltaic solar cell array of a terrestrial solar cell system that tracks the sun, the solar cell array including a plurality of solar cells, the system comprising two drive means each of which is operable to adjust a position of the solar cell array about a respective different axis, the method comprising:

• predicting a position of the sun during the course of the day using a sun position predictor and determining respective actuations for the drive means corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun during the course of the day;
• sampling a power and/or current output of the entire plurality of solar cells to monitor the performance of the solar cell array;
• moving, using one of the two drive means, the plurality of solar cells from a first position to a second position a first predetermined amount to one side of the first position, and sampling the output power and/or current at the second position;
• moving, using said one of the two drive means, the plurality of solar cells to a third position a second predetermined amount to the other side of the first position, and sampling the output power and/or current at the third position;
• and
• determining a fourth position using the sampled output power and/or current at the second and third positions, the fourth position corresponding to a prediction of the position at which the output parameter power and/or current has a maximum value.