The SolarTrak solar array tracking controller
Sandia National Laboratories has developed an advanced self-contained tracking control system for use with one- or two-axis tracking solar arrays. The SolarTrak system computes the sun's position based on the time and stored position data, and then controls two motors to point the tracker at the sun without using sun sensors. When used with a photovoltaic concentrator array, the system initially performs a self-alignment routine using array-generated current to locate the sun. The routine computes six numbers that are used during the normal operation to correct the array pointing for the tracker's installation misalignment. This enables the tracker to point accurately even with installation misalignments of up to several degrees. The SolarTrak system consists of a control board, which contains a Motorola 68HC11 microcontroller, a power supply board, motor-interface boards, and a hand-held user interface board, which contains a liquid-crystal display and an input keypad. This report contains a thorough discussion of the controller software and hardware, including control algorithms, parts lists and estimated costs (about $300 per system). The performance measured on two trackers is reviewed. Tracking accuracy was better than {plus minus}0.1{degrees} over a full day on one system. A thorough user's manual is included. Companies interested in licensing the technology should contact the Technology Transfer Division of Sandia National Laboratories. 20 refs., 53 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5424967
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-90-1471; ON: DE91017721
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
ALGORITHMS
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT INTERFACES
HELIOSTATS
MAN-MACHINE SYSTEMS
MANUALS
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
OPERATION
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR TRACKING
SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS