Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the orientation of a solar module (1) comprising a single-axis solar tracker (2) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), and a photovoltaic device (3) supported by said tracker and having upper and lower photoactive faces, said method comprising the following steps: measurement of a distribution of the so-called incident solar irradiance generated by the incident solar radiation from the sky, onto the upper face, said distribution being established according to a plurality of elevation angles; measurement of a distribution of the so-called reflective solar irradiance generated by the albedo solar radiation corresponding to the reflection of the solar radiation on the ground, onto the lower surface, said distribution being established according to a plurality of elevation angles; determination of an optimum orientation taking into account measurements of said distributions of the incident and reflective solar irradiance; and control of the orientation of the module according to said optimum orientation.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
• F24S 50/20 - Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar array (1) comprising solar modules (3) distributed in rows (10), each module comprising solar collectors (5) carried by a single-axis solar tracker (4), a reference solar power plant (2) comprising a central reference solar module and at least one secondary reference solar module, and a control unit configured for: - controlling the angular orientation of the central reference module according to a central reference orientation setpoint corresponding to an initial orientation setpoint; -controlling the orientation of each secondary reference module according to a secondary reference orientation setpoint corresponding to the initial orientation setpoint offset by a predefined offset angle; - receiving an energy production value from each reference module; -controlling the orientation of the modules, with the exception of the reference modules, by applying the reference orientation setpoint associated with the reference module having the largest production value.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
• G05D 3/10 - Control of position or direction without using feedback
• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement
• F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)

Abstract

Solar installation comprising: - a carrier structure having a central member (23) and at least one peripheral member; - at least two photovoltaic panels each comprising a metal frame (60) having two first side edges (61) and two second side edges (62), each side edge having an inner rim on the underside of the panel; - at least one clamping system (3) comprising a pair of angle brackets each having a plate (30) fixed on the central member and a tab (33) laterally folded down and passing on top of the internal rim of a panel, such that the inner rims of the two panels are clamped between the tabs and the central member. The present invention finds application in the field of solar installations, and particularly in the earthing of photovoltaic panels.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/52 - Arrangement of mountings or supports

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) that can be oriented about an axis of rotation (A), in which successive control phases are carried out in a repeated manner. According to the invention, the following successive steps are performed in each control phase: a) observing the cloud cover above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the cloud cover observed with cloud cover models stored in a database, each cloud cover model being associated with an orientation set point value for the solar tracker; c) matching the cloud cover observed with a cloud cover model; and d) controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation set point value to the cloud cover model selected in step c). The present invention is suitable for use in the field of solar trackers.

IPC Classes  ?

• G05D 3/10 - Control of position or direction without using feedback
• G01S 3/786 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of orientation of directivity characteristics of a detector or detector system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that detector or detector system the desired condition being maintained automatically
• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking

Abstract

Method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) that can be orientated around an axis of rotation (A), said method implementing the following steps: a) observing the change over time in the cloud cover above the solar tracker (1); b) determining the change over time of an optimum angle of inclination of the solar tracker (1), substantially corresponding to a maximum solar radiation on the solar tracker (1), on the basis of the observed cloud cover; c) predicting the future change of the cloud cover based on earlier observed change in the cloud cover; d) calculating the future change in the optimum angle of inclination on the basis of the prediction of the future change in cloud cover; e) controlling the orientation of the solar tracker (1) on the basis of the earlier change in the optimum angle of inclination and on the basis of the future change in the optimum angle of inclination. The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/40 - Control arrangements
• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-axis follower support system (1) for a solar collector (9) comprising a stationary structure (2) for anchoring to the ground; and a platform (30) suitable for supporting a solar collector, attached to at least one central horizontal beam (32) rotatably mounted on the stationary structure along a horizontal rotational axis inside at least one bearing (4) attached to the stationary structure; wherein the at least one bearing (4) comprises: a rotatable part (5) having a cavity (50) for receiving the central beam and a guide rail (51) in the shape of a circular arc centered on said horizontal rotational axis, wherein said guide rail extends below said cavity; and a base (7) retained on the stationary structure and onto which rolling members are attached which are rollingly mounted in the guide rail of the rotatable part.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
• F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)
• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement
• F24J 2/52 - Arrangement of mountings or supports

Abstract

A linear solar facility (1) comprising at least two tracker support systems (2) for solar collectors, in which each tracker support system (2) can be oriented according to a main axis of rotation (20) with the tracker support systems (2) aligned along a same line with the main axes of rotation (20) of same being merged, in which each tracker support system (2) comprises: a fixed ground-anchoring structure (21); a mobile structure comprising a platform (22) for supporting the solar collectors, rotatably mounted on the fixed structure (21) according to the main axis of rotation (20); a mechanical drive system (24) for driving the mobile structure in rotation according to the main axis of rotation (20). The facility comprises an actuating system (3) shared by the tracker support systems (2), coupled to the mechanical drive systems (24) of same via a mechanical transmission device (4) that extends parallel to the main axis of rotation, such that the platforms (22) are driven in rotation concomitantly by said actuating system (3) via the transmission device (4) and the mechanical drive systems (24).

IPC Classes  ?

• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement

Abstract

Motorized rotational drive system (8) for rotating a framework about an axis of rotation, preferably a horizontal axis of rotation, for a solar collector tracker support system, said motorized system comprising: two ring gear sectors (80) extending in two planes orthogonal to the axis of rotation and provided with means of attachment to said framework; a transmission shaft (82) supporting two pinions (81) in mesh with the corresponding ring gear sectors (80) for synchronized rotation of said ring gear sectors (80); and a motorized drive means for driving the rotation of said transmission shaft (82).

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 19/00 - Gearings comprising essentially only toothed gears or friction members and not capable of conveying indefinitely-continuing rotary motion
• F24J 2/54 - specially adapted for rotary movement
• F24J 2/52 - Arrangement of mountings or supports
• H01L 31/042 - PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
• F24J 2/46 - Component parts, details or accessories of solar heat collectors