Microprocessor-controlled suntracker and load controller for photovoltaic concentrator array power systems

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6719446

Pritchard, D A

Described are the design, development, and evaluation of a microcomputer-based solar tracking and control system (TACS) for a photovoltaic (PV) concentrator array. The TACS combines the function of sun tracking with the function of load adjustment for peak array efficiency. The complete PV array is used as the sun sensor. The TACS minimizes tracking errors caused by dust and dirt on shadow-band tracking systems, and minimizes the effects of structural warpage and sag that may occur in large arrays. A single-board computer with a specially designed input/output board controls array positioning by an orderly method of stepped movements and finds the peak power point by scanning the current-voltage curve of the array. The TACS was tested using a small two-axis tracking concentrator array. Test results show a deviation in maximum power of less than 1% during the day after accounting for other variations.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6719446
• Report Number(s): SAND-82-2119C; CONF-820906-4; ON: DE82022163
• Resource Relation: Conference: 16. IEEE photovoltaics specialists conference, San Diego, CA, USA, 28 Sep 1982
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
SOLAR TRACKING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS
DESIGN
ERRORS
MICROPROCESSORS
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EQUIPMENT
MICROELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems