US 8,946,608 B2 · Solar tracking system

Abstract

An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system includes motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun, wherein a first motor adjusts the inclination angle of the array relative to the surface of the earth and a second motor rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to that surface. The method includes (a) using a software algorithm to predict a position of the sun at a future time; (b) using a computer model to determine respective positions for the motors corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun at the future time; and (c) activating and operating the motors at respective particular speeds so that at the future time the solar cell array is substantially aligned with the sun. The future time may correspond to any time during operation. An initial future time may correspond to a start up time after sunrise at which point the solar cell is to begin tracking the sun.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A solar cell system above a ground surface comprising:

a solar panel assembly comprising at least one solar panel;
at least one drive assembly coupled to the at least one solar panel and configured to move the at least one solar panel about a first axis substantially perpendicular to the ground surface and a second axis substantially parallel to the ground surface;
a controller operably coupled to the at least one drive assembly to align the at least one solar panel with the sun, wherein the controller is configured to:
predict a position of the sun based on at least a time, a day, a latitude of the at least one solar panel, and a longitude of the at least one solar panel, and
determine actuations for the at least one motor drive to align the at least one solar panel with the sun based on the predicted position of the sun and at least one correlation parameter, wherein the at least one correlation parameter comprises at least one mechanical or construction characteristic of the system.

2 more elements

An automated method of causing a photovoltaic solar cell array of a terrestrial solar cell system to track the sun, the system comprising first and second motors each of which is operable to adjust a position of the array along a different respective axis with respect to the sun, wherein the first motor is coupled to a jackscrew that adjusts the inclination angle of the array relative to the surface of the earth and the second motor is coupled to a drive assembly that rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface of the earth, the method comprising:

(a) using a software algorithm to predict a position of the sun at a future time, the predicting based at least in part, on latitude, longitude and elevation, wherein the future time is a predetermined start up time after sunrise when the solar cell array is to begin tracking the sun;
(b) using a computer model to determine respective actuations for the motors corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun at the future time, the determining based on at least one property of each of the jackscrew and the drive assembly;
and
(c) operating the motors at respective particular speeds so that at the future time the solar cell array is substantially aligned with the sun.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solar tracking system

Life of this patent

Solar tracking system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19