Thermal tracking for solar systems

A method of controlling a position of a solar cell, the solar cell being configured to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy, the solar cell supported by a frame and having a primary axis extending in a first direction and a secondary axis extending in a second direction, the first and second directions being different directions, and the method comprising:

• detecting a first temperature at a first location of the solar cell with a first temperature sensor that is thermally coupled to said solar cell and with said solar cell, supported by a frame and a second temperature at a second location of the solar cell with a second temperature sensor that is thermally coupled to said solar cell and with said solar cell, supported by the frame, wherein the first and second temperature sensors are spaced from the frame, the second location spaced apart in the first direction from the first location;
• comparing the first temperature to the second temperature to determine a first temperature gradient in the first direction;
• adjusting the position of the solar cell by rotating it around the secondary axis, thereby changing the first temperature gradient;
• detecting a third temperature at a third location and a fourth temperature at a fourth location, the fourth location spaced apart in the second direction from the third location;
• comparing the third temperature to the fourth temperature to determine a second temperature gradient in the second direction;
• and
• adjusting the position of the solar cell by rotating it around the primary axis, thereby changing the second temperature gradient.

A method of adjusting a position of a solar cell, the method comprising:

• detecting a first temperature at a first location of the solar cell, the solar cell being configured to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy;
• detecting a second temperature at a second location of the solar cell, the second location spaced apart from the first location;
• comparing the first temperature and second temperature;
• adjusting the position of the solar cell in response to comparing the first and second temperatures;
• and
• wherein said detecting a first temperature and said detecting a second temperature comprise detecting an output of first and second temperature sensors that are thermally coupled with said solar cell and embedded with said solar cell within an encapsulant material that surrounds both the solar cell and the first and second temperature sensors, and wherein said solar cell, the first and second temperature sensors and the encapsulant material are encased in and supported by a frame, and wherein the first and second temperature sensors are spaced from the frame.

A method of tracking the sun with a solar cell, the method comprising:

• measuring a first intensity of solar radiation at a first location on the solar cell, the solar cell being configured to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy;
• measuring a second intensity of solar radiation at a second location on the solar cell, the second location spaced apart from the first location;
• comparing the first intensity to the second intensity;
• adjusting the position of the solar cell in response to the comparison between the first intensity and the second intensity;
• and
• wherein said measuring a first intensity and said measuring a second intensity comprise detecting an output of first and second sensors embedded with said solar cell within an encapsulant material that surrounds both the solar cell and the first and second sensors, and wherein said solar cell, the first and second sensors and the encapsulant material are encased in and supported by a frame, and wherein the first and second temperature are spaced from the frame.