Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller

Christina D. Ward; L. Curt Maxey; Boyd M. Evans; Melissa V. Lapsa

Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller

Christina D. Ward, L. Curt Maxey, Boyd M. Evans, Melissa V. Lapsa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

A versatile single-board controller for two-axis solar tracking applications has been developed and tested on operating solar tracking systems with over two years of field experience. The operating experience gained from the two systems and associated modifications are discussed as representative examples of the practical issues associated with implementing a new two-axis solar tracker design. In this research, open and closed loop control methods were evaluated; however, only the open loop method met the 0.125° tracking accuracy requirement and the requirement to maintain pointing accuracy in hazy and scattered cloudy skies. The open loop algorithm was finally implemented in a microcontroller-based tracking system. Methods of applying this controller hardware to different tracker geometries and hardware are discussed along with the experience gained to date.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.
Subtitle of host publication	Catch the Clean Energy Wave
Pages	741-751
Number of pages	11
State	Published - 2008
Event	SOLAR 2008: Catch the Clean Energy Wave, Including 37th ASES Annual Conference, 33rd National Passive Solar Conference and 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference - San Diego, CA, United States Duration: May 3 2008 → May 8 2008

Publication series

Name	American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave
Volume	2

Conference

Conference	SOLAR 2008: Catch the Clean Energy Wave, Including 37th ASES Annual Conference, 33rd National Passive Solar Conference and 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference
Country/Territory	United States
City	San Diego, CA
Period	05/3/08 → 05/8/08

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Cite this

Ward, C. D., Maxey, L. C., Evans, B. M., & Lapsa, M. V. (2008). Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller. In American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave (pp. 741-751). (American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave; Vol. 2).

Ward, Christina D. ; Maxey, L. Curt ; Evans, Boyd M. et al. / Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller. American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave. 2008. pp. 741-751 (American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave).

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title = "Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller",

abstract = "A versatile single-board controller for two-axis solar tracking applications has been developed and tested on operating solar tracking systems with over two years of field experience. The operating experience gained from the two systems and associated modifications are discussed as representative examples of the practical issues associated with implementing a new two-axis solar tracker design. In this research, open and closed loop control methods were evaluated; however, only the open loop method met the 0.125° tracking accuracy requirement and the requirement to maintain pointing accuracy in hazy and scattered cloudy skies. The open loop algorithm was finally implemented in a microcontroller-based tracking system. Methods of applying this controller hardware to different tracker geometries and hardware are discussed along with the experience gained to date.",

author = "Ward, {Christina D.} and Maxey, {L. Curt} and Evans, {Boyd M.} and Lapsa, {Melissa V.}",

year = "2008",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781605604787",

series = "American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave",

pages = "741--751",

booktitle = "American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.",

note = "SOLAR 2008: Catch the Clean Energy Wave, Including 37th ASES Annual Conference, 33rd National Passive Solar Conference and 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference ; Conference date: 03-05-2008 Through 08-05-2008",

}

Ward, CD, Maxey, LC, Evans, BM & Lapsa, MV 2008, Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller. in American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave. American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave, vol. 2, pp. 741-751, SOLAR 2008: Catch the Clean Energy Wave, Including 37th ASES Annual Conference, 33rd National Passive Solar Conference and 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference, San Diego, CA, United States, 05/3/08.

Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller. / Ward, Christina D.; Maxey, L. Curt; Evans, Boyd M. et al.
American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave. 2008. p. 741-751 (American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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N2 - A versatile single-board controller for two-axis solar tracking applications has been developed and tested on operating solar tracking systems with over two years of field experience. The operating experience gained from the two systems and associated modifications are discussed as representative examples of the practical issues associated with implementing a new two-axis solar tracker design. In this research, open and closed loop control methods were evaluated; however, only the open loop method met the 0.125° tracking accuracy requirement and the requirement to maintain pointing accuracy in hazy and scattered cloudy skies. The open loop algorithm was finally implemented in a microcontroller-based tracking system. Methods of applying this controller hardware to different tracker geometries and hardware are discussed along with the experience gained to date.

AB - A versatile single-board controller for two-axis solar tracking applications has been developed and tested on operating solar tracking systems with over two years of field experience. The operating experience gained from the two systems and associated modifications are discussed as representative examples of the practical issues associated with implementing a new two-axis solar tracker design. In this research, open and closed loop control methods were evaluated; however, only the open loop method met the 0.125° tracking accuracy requirement and the requirement to maintain pointing accuracy in hazy and scattered cloudy skies. The open loop algorithm was finally implemented in a microcontroller-based tracking system. Methods of applying this controller hardware to different tracker geometries and hardware are discussed along with the experience gained to date.

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BT - American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.

T2 - SOLAR 2008: Catch the Clean Energy Wave, Including 37th ASES Annual Conference, 33rd National Passive Solar Conference and 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conference

Y2 - 3 May 2008 through 8 May 2008

ER -

Ward CD, Maxey LC, Evans BM, Lapsa MV. Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller. In American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave. 2008. p. 741-751. (American Solar Energy Society - SOLAR 2008, Including Proc. of 37th ASES Annual Conf., 33rd National Passive Solar Conf., 3rd Renewable Energy Policy and Marketing Conf.: Catch the Clean Energy Wave).

Versatile two-axis open-loop solar tracker controller

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

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