The invention relates to electric solar trackers moving solar panels and being controlled by a solar tracker controller. Accounting for an estimation of the angle of positioning of the bifacial PV modules on a solar single axis tracker, in which the electrical energy produced is maximized by means of a process that quantifies the variation of irradiation on both the front and rear faces depending on the orientation angle of the module for each solar angle, and then the optimal position for the production of electrical energy is decided of all the solar trackers of the plant. The production of electrical energy can be further optimized by including an albedo modifying arrangement. An arrangement for enhancing energy production in bifacial solar panel modules having a front side and a rear side is also provided herein.
A solar tracking system with torsion tubes having solar panels (modules) mounted thereon. Columns support the system and have bearings for rotation of the torsion tubes. A flexible transmission shaft is connected at one end to a mechanical drive mechanism for rotating the torsion tubes and thereby rotating at least an individual row of modules to follow the sun's diurnal motion. The torsion tubes can be rotated in an opposite direction, or backtrack, to prevent shadowing from one individual row of modules to another. The flexible transmission shaft is connected to a single motor at its other end and is constructed of flexible materials to compensate for misalignment due to uneven terrain or staggered row of module configuration. Dampers are also employed and affixed to the row of modules to decouple wind forces imposed on the row of modules.
The present invention relates to an assembly comprising: one or more photovoltaic solar trackers; a rechargeable power supply system, including power supply elements (1) for powering the tracker or trackers; a charging system for charging the power supply elements; and a tracker controller (4). The assembly is characterised in that it includes one or more supercapacitors (1) as power supply elements (1). The invention makes it possible to use the power supply elements (1) at low temperatures without the need for heaters, to increase the useful life thereof and to make them smaller.
H02J 7/34 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p. ex. batterie tampon
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p. ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02S 40/38 - Moyens de stockage de l’énergie, p. ex. batteries, structurellement associés aux modules PV
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
A floating solar tracking device includes a central float, two lateral floats and a structure for attaching photovoltaic panels. The central float has a spacer that configures two independent chambers. The lateral floats are sealed and filled with air. The structure includes a plurality of bulkheads where the floats are stably attached, and a number of beams that join the bulkheads for attaching the photovoltaic panels. Each of the chambers has a hole for communication with a pump responsible for introducing or extracting water from each chamber. Collectively, the bulkheads have a V-shaped configuration, with a base that joins the ends of the wings of the configuration and a vertex.
The present invention relates to a floating solar tracking device comprising a central float (1), two lateral floats (2) and a structure for attaching photovoltaic panels (4), wherein the central float (1) comprises a spacer (10) that configures two independent chambers (5), the lateral floats (2) are sealed and filled with air, the structure in turn comprises a plurality of bulkheads (3) where the floats (1, 2) are stably attached, and a number of beams (8) that join the bulkheads (3) for attaching the photovoltaic panels (4), wherein each of the chambers (5) comprises a hole (6) for communication with a pump (7) responsible for introducing or extracting water from each chamber (5), the bulkheads (3) having a V-shaped configuration, with a base that joins the ends of the wings and a vertex.
The reduction gear (1) comprises: a worm screw (2); a worm wheel (3), meshed with the worm screw (2); and a casing (4) in which the worm screw (2) and the worm wheel (3) are housed, and wherein the casing (4) is made of sheet metal material. The casing (4) may comprise an outer shell (5) formed by one or more pieces of sheet metal, preferably connected to one another. The casing (4) of sheet metal provides reduced weight, greater dimensional precision, simplified method of manufacture and reduced.
F24S 30/00 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire
F16H 1/00 - Transmissions à engrenages pour transmettre un mouvement rotatif
F16H 1/16 - Transmissions à engrenages pour transmettre un mouvement rotatif sans engrenages à mouvement orbital comportant uniquement deux organes engrenés dont les axes ne sont pas parallèles comportant une vis sans fin et une roue à vis sans fin
A solar panel includes photovoltaic cells; fingers; and busbars, heat exchangers in contact with the busbar (s) for receiving heat from the busbar by conductivity; and refrigeration means or retiring heat from the heat exchanger(s) to an ambient. Heat exchangers may be selected among: electrically insulant heat exchangers provided in several discrete locations of the busbar(s); or exchanging duct(s) located along the busbar(s) or portions thereof, within which a cooling fluid flows. Refrigeration may be selected from Peltier thermoelectrical refrigerating elements; and a refrigerating machine including: evaporator; compressor; condenser; refrigerating ducts through which a cooling fluid flows; and an expansion valve located on the refrigerating ducts. It limits shadowing provided by cooling systems in the previous art.
A tracker includes torque structure; slewing drive with output shaft, and engaging device coaxially mounted on output shaft; and rotation device, attached to torque structure, and provided with teeth to engage the engaging device. Engaging device includes opposing plates, interconnected by connections; and rollers mounted on connections, with free coaxial rotation, for engaging with teeth. A solar facility includes the driver tracker; driven trackers; and connection device, rotating driven trackers from driver tracker. Trackers comprise two cranks, attached to torque structure. Rotation device comprises toothed wheels, attached to torque structure, and actuated by slewing drive. Connection device comprises transmission structure pivotally connected to crank, and includes facing profiles.
A high power photovoltaic connector includes two, preferably cylindrical, bimetallic connectors having a copper end and an aluminium end that are connected to each other by their copper end preferably in the form of a shovel making a joint by tightening elements and to an aluminium conductor by its cylindrical aluminium end making such a joint by a tightening matrix or screws preferably furnished on the aluminium end. The tightening matrix compresses the aluminium end and the aluminium conductor together due to deformation. Both the aluminium end and the aluminium conductor are made of the same material with identical or very similar mechanical properties. The resulting tightening matrix achieves compresses the aluminium end of the bimetallic connectors once the aluminium conductor has been inserted into it so that the assembly is fixed due to the deformation of the aluminium.
H02S 40/34 - Composants électriques comprenant une connexion électrique structurellement associée au module PV, p. ex. boîtes de jonction
H01R 4/62 - Connexions entre des conducteurs constitués de matériaux différentsConnexions entre ou avec des conducteurs en aluminium avec ou sans âme en acier
10.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAXIMIZING POWER OUTPUT IN A SOLAR PLANT AND SOLAR TRACKER THEREOF
Solar plants are based on the conversion of sun light power into electricity; to do so, solar cells are mainly used nowadays. Solar cells need to be arranged in such a way sun light hits the face of the solar panel bearing the solar cells, furthermore, the solar cells must be clean so no substance blocks sunlight. A system for maximizing power output in solar plants and a method for maximizing power output in solar plants both are based on the deployment of two irradiation sensor, specifically arranged at a certain solar tracker of the solar plant, that capture irradiation levels and generate readings of the irradiation levels when the solar panel is operated by the solar tracker following the sun path.
Solar trackers are designed to withstand high wind loads, eventually by oversizing the structure and incurring in higher material cost and rendering high costs scenarios when deploying solar trackers in solar fields. A solar tracker and a method for operating the solar tracker yields a solution highly structured solar trackers by providing a single horizontal axis solar tracker associated to at least one bifacial photovoltaic module. The single horizontal axis solar tracker has a bifacial photovoltaic module associated to the torque tube using a joint fixture along one of the sides of the bifacial solar module so that the solar module jointly moves when the torque tube rotates. The single horizontal axis solar tracker may be operating according to the time of the day consequently to the available sunlight, so that a face of the bifacial photovoltaic module associated to the torque tube is facing the sun.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H01L 31/068 - Dispositifs à semi-conducteurs sensibles aux rayons infrarouges, à la lumière, au rayonnement électromagnétique d'ondes plus courtes, ou au rayonnement corpusculaire, et spécialement adaptés, soit comme convertisseurs de l'énergie dudit rayonnement e; Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou au traitement de ces dispositifs ou de leurs parties constitutives; Leurs détails adaptés comme dispositifs de conversion photovoltaïque [PV] caractérisés par au moins une barrière de potentiel ou une barrière de surface les barrières de potentiel étant uniquement du type homojonction PN, p.ex. cellules solaires à homojonction PN en silicium massif ou cellules solaires à homojonction PN en couches minces de silicium polycristallin
12.
TRACKER CONTROLLER FOR A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION
A tracker controller for a photovoltaic installation includes a box and an antenna for a communications system housed within the box, with: an elongated casing pipe and a connection at one end of the casing pipe, connecting the casing pipe to a lower portion of the box, for the casing pipe to freely rotate with respect to the box around a rotation axis. The antenna also includes a protrusion, extending from the casing pipe near the connection, and which is configured so as to bump against the box, when the antenna rotates, for limiting rotation of the casing pipe, so that the antenna stays essentially in a vertical orientation.
F24S 50/20 - Agencements pour commander les collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le suivi
13.
Support connector, solar panel connector attachable to the support connector, and attaching system comprising said support connector and said solar panel connector
A system for attaching a solar panel to a support, includes a support connector and a solar panel connector, where the support connector includes a U-shaped profile having a lower wall and two side walls, where an upper end of the side walls is bent inwards to provide vertical rails for receiving the panel connector; and the panel connector include a profile having: an upper C-shaped portion configured for receiving a side edge of a solar panel; a lower, upwardly oriented channel portion configured for receiving the vertical rail of the support connector; and at least one box-shaped portion connecting the upper C-shaped portion and the lower channel portion.
A solar plant and single axis solar tracker management method maximize power output production. The object of the invention embraces a solar plant and a method accounting for readings being made by field sensors whilst weather forecast data are provided by third parties such as weather forecast companies collecting and broadcasting weather forecast data related to sun irradiance levels and climate conditions affecting sun irradiance levels, like clouds, pollution or fog. Some of the solar trackers of the plant are furnished with irradiance sensors, whilst the solar plant has a plurality of solar sensors arranged along; these solar sensors being configured to measure irradiance on a horizontal plane. The object of the invention envisages an outpost solar tracker configured to take radiation measurements in an inclined plane and, when it is necessary to verify the measurements of the horizontal sensors, they will go to 0° positions.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
G01S 3/786 - Systèmes pour déterminer une direction ou une déviation par rapport à une direction prédéterminée utilisant le réglage d'une orientation des caractéristiques de directivité d'un détecteur ou d'un système de détecteurs afin d'obtenir une valeur désirée du signal provenant de ce détecteur ou de ce système de détecteurs la valeur désirée étant maintenue automatiquement
G05D 3/10 - Commande de la position ou de la direction sans utilisation de contre-réaction
H02S 50/00 - Surveillance ou tests de systèmes PV, p. ex. équilibrage de charge ou identification des défauts
15.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR INSTALLATION HAVING BIFACIAL PANELS
At least one solar tracker has a rotating structure, which supports bifacial photovoltaic solar panels, in order to provide the panels with a solar tracking rotation around, at least, a non-azimuth axis of rotation; and a control unit which commands the tracker; and an albedo reflector arranged on the ground on one side or on both sides of the solar tracker with respect to the non-azimuth axis of rotation, next to the tracker itself, wherein the albedo reflector in turn comprises a reflective membrane which reflects albedo radiation towards the panels. Albedo radiation is optimally harnessed.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H02S 40/22 - Moyens réflecteurs ou concentrateurs de lumière
H01L 31/068 - Dispositifs à semi-conducteurs sensibles aux rayons infrarouges, à la lumière, au rayonnement électromagnétique d'ondes plus courtes, ou au rayonnement corpusculaire, et spécialement adaptés, soit comme convertisseurs de l'énergie dudit rayonnement e; Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou au traitement de ces dispositifs ou de leurs parties constitutives; Leurs détails adaptés comme dispositifs de conversion photovoltaïque [PV] caractérisés par au moins une barrière de potentiel ou une barrière de surface les barrières de potentiel étant uniquement du type homojonction PN, p.ex. cellules solaires à homojonction PN en silicium massif ou cellules solaires à homojonction PN en couches minces de silicium polycristallin
16.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A HORIZONTAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKER
A method and a system include multiple controllers arranged along the horizontal axis in order to distribute the torque along the axis or torque tube of a solar tracker. The controllers are associated to actuators intended to operate on the angular position of the torque tube. The controllers are operated in dual role basis, such that a controller acting as master controller performs the calculations of the rotational movements to be induced by the actuators associated to the slave controllers.
G05D 3/12 - Commande de la position ou de la direction utilisant la contre-réaction
G05B 19/042 - Commande à programme autre que la commande numérique, c.-à-d. dans des automatismes à séquence ou dans des automates à logique utilisant des processeurs numériques
ESS GROUP ENGINEERING TECHNICAL CENTER, S.L. (Espagne)
Inventeur(s)
Carpio Obré, Francisco Javier
Chusa Roman, Jose Antonio
Abrégé
The present invention enables the assembly of: a solar panel frame (4) having a first flap (2) provided with first eyelets (7); and a solar tracker profile (6) having a second flap (3) and a ferrule (9), and comprises: - a head (1) provided with a punch (12), a die (14) facing the punch (12), and a front housing (16) between the die (14) and the punch (12), for housing the profile (6) together with the frame (4) prior to using the tool (1); - a movement mechanism, for relative mutual approaching of the punch (12) and the die (14); - a power supply (17); - an actuator of the movement mechanism; and - a distal handle (18), opposite the head (10), to be gripped by the operator, wherein the relative approaching causes the punch (12) to make contact with the ferrule (9), pressing and deforming said ferrule (9), in order to expand it around the first eyelet (7) and attach the frame (4) and the profile (6) by means of the flaps (2, 3).
B21D 39/03 - Utilisation de procédés permettant d'assembler des objets ou des parties d'objets, p. ex. revêtement par des tôles, autrement que par placageDispositifs de mandrinage des tubes des tôles autrement que par pliage
B23P 11/00 - Assemblage ou désassemblage de pièces ou d'objets métalliques par des processus du travail du métal non prévus ailleurs
B23P 19/04 - Machines effectuant simplement l'assemblage ou la séparation de pièces ou d'objets métalliques entre eux ou des pièces métalliques avec des pièces non métalliques, que cela entraîne ou non une certaine déformationOutils ou dispositifs à cet effet dans la mesure où ils ne sont pas prévus dans d'autres classes pour assembler ou séparer des pièces
F16B 5/00 - Jonction de feuilles ou de plaques soit entre elles soit à des bandes ou barres parallèles à elles
H02S 20/00 - Structures de support pour modules PV
F24S 25/65 - Moyens de fixation, p. ex. moyens d’assemblage, spécialement adaptés pour supporter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour coupler des éléments de support adjacents, p. ex. pour joindre des connecteurs profilés ensemble
F24S 25/60 - Moyens de fixation, p. ex. moyens d’assemblage, spécialement adaptés pour supporter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire
A system for fastening a casing to a tube which, according to a first aspect of the invention, includes a claw provided with protuberances, and, according to a second aspect of the invention, comprises an incorporation of first rails on side faces of the casing, and second rails on an upper face of the casing to hook onto the protuberances. The claw can pivot with respect to the first protuberances, both to house the tube and to hook onto the second rail, as well as to surround and press against the tube, once the second rail is hooked. The fastening system allows for a faster and more ergonomic fastening without the use of tools and elements such as connecting screws and bolts.
The invention relates to electric solar trackers moving solar panels and being controlled by a solar tracker controller. More precisely the object of the invention is aimed to a commissioning procedure of solar power plants. The invention accounts for a mesh communications network, multiple gateways respectively associated to each solar tracker controller; the gateways acting between the mesh communication network and a solar plant communications system wherein each solar tracker controller is assigned a unique serial number comprising ID, position on the solar plant of the solar tracker associated to the solar tracker controller. The gateway determining a solar tracker as being available for commissioning and sending configuration data to the solar tracker controller of the solar tracker available for commissioning, the configuration data including information of auxiliary gateways to connect to in case a primary gateway fails.
G01S 3/78 - Radiogoniomètres pour déterminer la direction d'où proviennent des ondes infrasonores, sonores, ultrasonores ou électromagnétiques ou des émissions de particules sans caractéristiques de direction utilisant des ondes électromagnétiques autres que les ondes radio
H04W 84/18 - Réseaux auto-organisés, p. ex. réseaux ad hoc ou réseaux de détection
G01S 3/786 - Systèmes pour déterminer une direction ou une déviation par rapport à une direction prédéterminée utilisant le réglage d'une orientation des caractéristiques de directivité d'un détecteur ou d'un système de détecteurs afin d'obtenir une valeur désirée du signal provenant de ce détecteur ou de ce système de détecteurs la valeur désirée étant maintenue automatiquement
Comprises: supports (2) for holding the tracker on the supporting surface (3); columns (4) supported on the supports (2); rotary connections (5) mounted on the columns (4) and connected to photovoltaic panels (1) to provide the panels (1) with coaxial tracking rotation, wherein each rotary connection (5) supports, and transmits the rotation to, two adjacent panels (1) located one on each side of the corresponding column (4); a motor (9) associated with a column (4); a longitudinal transmission element (10) arranged through the columns (4), parallel to the coaxial rotation, and configured to receive rotation from the motor (9) in the longitudinal direction; a toothed wheel (11) coaxially fixed to the rotary connection (5) of the columns (4); and pinions (12) mounted on the longitudinal transmission element (10), to mesh with the toothed wheels (11). This enables the torque tube or the like to be dispensed with.
F24S 25/11 - Agencement de montages ou de supports fixes pour des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire se dressant dans des directions opposées à la surface de support utilisant des corps moulés, p. ex. des éléments en béton, des éléments constitués de matériaux sous forme de mousse ou des éléments moulés en forme de boîte
The supporting structure comprises an omega-profile shaped metal support (3) with: horizontal upper portion (4), for vertically supporting photovoltaic panels (2); two flat lower portions (5) extending on both sides of upper portion (4), and connecting portions (6), connecting upper portion (4) with lower portions (5). Lower portions (5) include attaching holes (7) for attaching the lower portions (5) to ground through attaching means (8). Upper portion (4) and connecting portions (6) define inner hole (10) locating a gathering cabling (11) for gathering the electricity collected by each panel (2). The installation comprises photovoltaic panels (2) mounted on supporting structures. Preferably, albedo optimizing elements (21), attached to the metal support (3) are also included for improving capturing of albedo radiation. The invention helps to reduce foundation material, make mechanical and electrical contacts easier and raising gathering efficiency.
H02S 20/10 - Structures de support directement fixées sur le sol
H02S 40/34 - Composants électriques comprenant une connexion électrique structurellement associée au module PV, p. ex. boîtes de jonction
H02S 40/36 - Composants électriques caractérisés par des moyens d'interconnexions électriques spéciaux entre plusieurs modules PV, p. ex. connexion électrique module à module
It comprises one or several capacitors (3) laminated or encapsulated together with at least one photovoltaic arrangement including one or several photovoltaic solar cells (8), preferably comprising one or several photovoltaic solar panels (2), which are made of solar cells (8). In a preferred embodiment, the solar panel (2) includes: frame (4); laminated or encapsulated block (5) housed within the frame (4), and comprising photovoltaic solar cells (8); and capacitor (3); the capacitor (3) being attached to a back side of the photovoltaic solar panel (2); the laminated or encapsulated block (5) and the capacitor (3) being housed within the frame (4); the laminated or encapsulated block (5), and the capacitor (3) being laminated or encapsulated together. The invention provides a photovoltaic arrangement, such as a panel (2), operating as a decentralized energy accumulator, thereby eliminating the use of chemical batteries while providing an integrated energy-storing solution.
H02S 10/20 - Systèmes caractérisés par leurs moyens de stockage de l’énergie
H02S 40/38 - Moyens de stockage de l’énergie, p. ex. batteries, structurellement associés aux modules PV
H01G 11/08 - Combinaisons structurelles, p. ex. assemblage ou connexion de condensateurs hybrides ou EDL avec d’autres composants électriques, au moins un condensateur hybride ou EDL étant le composant principal
23.
Method for optimizing power production in photovoltaic modules
A method allows positioning the tracker at angles that promote the cooling of photovoltaic modules and therefore, decrease their operating temperature, without reducing the total energy produced thus optimizing power production of photovoltaic (PV) electricity by reducing the working temperature of PV modules of a solar tracker. The method also provides an optimization of the electrical output of the system for particular conditions of instantaneous air temperature and wind speed to improve electrical power generation ratios with respect to those known current techniques taking into account incident power in the PV plane, or in some cases the output power without considering the action of changes in wind speed or air temperature.
The invention relates to electric solar trackers powered by rechargeable power sources, such as rechargeable batteries and how the solar tracker is fed in order to operate. The object of the invention embraces a system and a method for operating a solar tracker mainly fed by rechargeable power sources, powered by a main power supply fed by electricity produced by a solar panel associated to the solar tracker and operated by the latter. A controller is furnished with a set of instructions aimed to manage a power flow feeding the rechargeable power sources and the operating modes for the solar tracker, either fed by the main power supply or by the rechargeable power sources.
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p. ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02J 1/10 - Fonctionnement de sources à courant continu en parallèle
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
A solar tracker provides sun tracking to solar panels, and includes several gearboxes for one single motor. In an embodiment, the solar tracker includes a torsion beam. defining a longintudinal direction of rotation and rotating the solar panels; motor, with motor shaft; first gearbox, at torsion beam at first position, and connected to motor shaft for transmitting to torsion beam rotation of motor shaft; second (Tarbox, mounted to torsion beam at second position further from motor than first position; and primary shaft, coaxial to motor shaft, and connected to second gearbox, for transmitting to second gearbox rotation of the motor shaft. Gearboxes define embedments withstanding torsion moment caused by wind loads for restricting rotation of torsion beam. It provides higher resistance to wind loads and allows for longer solar trackers.
A frame includes a support structure made up of profiles for supporting photovoltaic panels, and which has two lateral sides; and at least one reinforcement element mounted in correspondence with the corresponding lateral side thereof for supporting additional loads to the weight of the cells. It further includes connection means for connecting to a torsion tube. In one exemplary embodiment the reinforcement element is a solid gusset from which the lateral sides are suspended, as well as the connection means include upper and lower clamps with a shape adapted to the torsion tube to avoid relative rotation, and which are tightened against the torsion tube by means of bolts which pass through the clamps and corresponding nuts, the upper clamp comprising lateral grooves to fit the reinforcement elements.
The present invention relates to a solar tracker with brake control, which improves performance against high torque stresses. It includes: solar modules (1); torque tube (2), to provide solar tracking to the solar modules (1); motor (4); reversible demultiplying system (3) to transmit rotation from the motor (4) to the torque tube (2); brake (5) to brake the motor (4); controller (8); and torque sensors (9, 10, 11), to determine torque supported by the torque tube (2). The controller (8) disconnects the brake (5) in excess torque conditions, releasing the rotation of the torque tube (2), and reconnects the brake (5) when the excess torque conditions cease. One or more stoppers (12), to limit the rotation of the solar modules (1), are attached to the torque tube (2). The invention is especially applicable to multidrive trackers with harmonic reduction gearbox.
Applicable to a solar panel (1) comprising: photovoltaic cells (2); fingers (3); and busbars (4). Comprises: heat exchangers (5, 6) in contact with the busbar (s) (4) for receiving heat from the busbar (4) by conductivity; and refrigeration means (7, 8, 9) for retiring heat from the heat exchanger(s) (5, 6) to an ambient. Heat exchangers (5, 6) may be selected among: electrically insulant heat exchangers (5) provided in several discrete locations (10) of the busbar(s) (4); or exchanging duct(s) (6) located along the busbar(s) (4) or portions thereof, within which a cooling fluid flows. Refrigeration means (7, 8, 9) may be selected among: Peltier thermoelectrical refrigerating elements (7); and a refrigerating machine (9) including: evaporator (13); compressor (14); condenser (15); refrigerating ducts (16) through which a cooling fluid flows; and an expansion valve (17) located on the refrigerating ducts (16). It limits shadowing provided by cooling systems in the previous art.
H01L 31/05 - Moyens d’interconnexion électrique entre les cellules PV à l’intérieur du module PV, p.ex. connexion en série de cellules PV
H01L 31/052 - Moyens de refroidissement directement associés ou intégrés à la cellule PV, p.ex. éléments Peltier intégrés pour refroidissement actif ou puits thermiques directement associés aux cellules PV
H02S 40/34 - Composants électriques comprenant une connexion électrique structurellement associée au module PV, p. ex. boîtes de jonction
A PV-optimiser power system for a photovoltaic installation for supply of power from a photovoltaic installation. The system includes a first DC/DC converter connected to a PV panel and to one or more energy storage modules, and a second DC/DC converter, connected in parallel to the PV panel in a string of PV panels of a PV installation, wherein the second DC/DC converter is configured to operate as an optimiser and execute a maximum power point tracking algorithm (MPPT) to determine the maximum power output of the PV panel of the plurality of the PV panels in the string.
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p. ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
H02J 11/00 - Circuits pour pourvoir au service d'alimentation des auxiliaires de stations, dans lesquels la puissance électrique est produite, distribuée ou convertie
H02S 10/20 - Systèmes caractérisés par leurs moyens de stockage de l’énergie
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
H02S 40/32 - Composants électriques comprenant un onduleur CC/CA associé au module PV lui-même, p. ex. module CA
30.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR TRACKER WITH OPTIMIZED WEAR AND SYNCHRONOUS TRANSMISSION
The invention is directed to a construction tube which has a circular cross section, wherein the circular cross section including two circular stretches and two flat stretches diametrically opposite from each other which define two parallel planes interrupting the circular stretches. It enables the advantages of construction tubes with a circular cross section and the advantages of tubes with a polygonal cross section to be combined. The construction tube can be joined to a connectable element, which is preferably selected from another construction tube and an output shaft of a reducer of a solar tracker, in particular, using inner parts and/or clamps. The construction tube of the invention has a special application in solar collection systems, making up a torsion shaft of a solar tracker.
F16B 7/18 - Assemblages de barres ou assemblages de tubes, p. ex. de section non circulaire, y compris les assemblages élastiques utilisant des éléments filetés
F24S 30/00 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire
32.
PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION AGAINST INCIDENT WIND AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION AGAINST DAMAGE CAUSED BY INCIDENT WIND
A protection system protects against incident wind in a photovoltaic installation and a method protects a photovoltaic installation against damage caused by incident wind. The protection system for protecting a photovoltaic installation includes a plurality of parallel and spaced apart rows of solar trackers having a central shaft attached to supports by means of couplings and supporting photovoltaic panel; and at least one actuator device kinetically connected to the central shaft for modifying its angular position. At least one row comprises a deflecting barrier below the photovoltaic panels and between the supports, covering between 40% and 65% of the distance (D) existing between the central shaft and the ground, defining a passage (P) between the deflecting barrier and the central shaft for redirecting the incident wind.
A bimetallic spark gap arrangement is hereby provided. The bimetallic spark gap arrangement of the invention comprises at least one elastic element made of a Shape Memory Alloy providing the advantage of spark gaps arrangements, with their associated simplicity and cost, adding a distinguishing feature allowing the object of the invention to get that the arc generated between electric poles can be extinguished even though voltage is still applied between the component terminals. The bimetallic spark gap arrangement of the invention comprises at least one of the poles being associated to a bimetallic elastic element made of at least two different metallic materials so that when heated, due to the flow of electric current, the elastic element compress increasing the spark gap.
Support connector, solar panel connector attachable to the support connector, and attaching system comprising said support connector and said solar panel connector
A system for attaching a solar panel to a support, includes a support connector and a solar panel connector, where the support connector includes a U-shaped profile having a lower wall and two side walls, where an upper end of the side walls is bent inwards to provide vertical rails for receiving the panel connector; and the panel connector include a profile having: an upper C-shaped portion configured for receiving a side edge of a solar panel; a lower, upwardly oriented channel portion configured for receiving the vertical rail of the support connector; and at least one box-shaped portion connecting the upper C-shaped portion and the lower channel portion.
The object of the invention provides a solution to the problem of connecting electrical systems in solar systems. Said solution is based on a a high power photovoltaic connector of the invention comprising two, preferably cylindrical, bimetallic connectors having a copper end and an aluminium end, being connected to each other by their copper end preferably in the form of a shovel making such a joint by means of tightening elements and to an aluminium conductor by means of its cylindrical aluminium end making such a joint by means of a tightening matrix or screws preferably furnished on the aluminium end. Said tightening matrix compressing the aluminium end and the aluminium conductor together due to deformation; being both the aluminium end and the aluminium conductor made of the same material with identical or very similar mechanical properties what the resulting tightening matrix achieves is to compress the aluminium end of the bimetallic connectors once the aluminium conductor has been inserted into it, so that the assembly is fixed due to the deformation of the aluminium.
H01R 4/62 - Connexions entre des conducteurs constitués de matériaux différentsConnexions entre ou avec des conducteurs en aluminium avec ou sans âme en acier
H01R 11/12 - Pièces d'extrémité se terminant par un œillet, un crochet ou une fourchette
H01R 4/20 - Connexions conductrices de l'électricité entre plusieurs organes conducteurs en contact direct, c.-à-d. se touchant l'un l'autreMoyens pour réaliser ou maintenir de tels contactsConnexions conductrices de l'électricité ayant plusieurs emplacements espacés de connexion pour les conducteurs et utilisant des organes de contact pénétrant dans l'isolation effectuées uniquement par torsion, enroulage, pliage, sertissage ou autre déformation permanente par sertissage en utilisant un manchon de sertissage
36.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAXIMIZING POWER OUTPUT IN SOLAR PLANTS AND SOLAR TRACKER THEREOF
Solar plants are based on the conversion of sun light power into electricity; to do so, solar cells are mainly used nowadays. Solar cells need to be arranged in such a way sun light hits the face of the solar panel bearing the solar cells, furthermore, said solar cells must be clean so no substance blocks sunlight. The object of the invention hereby provided encompasses a system for maximizing power output in solar plants and a method for maximizing power output in solar plants both based on the deployment of two irradiation sensor, specifically arranged at a certain solar tracker of the solar plant, that caption irradiation levels and generate readings of said irradiation levels when the solar panel is operated by the solar tracker following the sun path.
Tracker controller for a photovoltaic installation, the controller comprising a box (2) and an antenna (3), for a communications system housed within the box (2), with: an elongated casing pipe (7) and a connection (4) at one end of the casing pipe (7), connecting the casing pipe (7) to a lower portion of the box (2), for the casing pipe (7) to freely rotate with respect to the box (2) around a rotation axis (6). The antenna also includes a protrusion (9), extending from the casing pipe (7) near the connection (4), and which is configured so as to bump against the box (2), when the antenna (3) rotates, for limiting rotation of the casing pipe (7), so that the antenna (3) stays essentially in a vertical orientation.
Solar trackers are designed to withstand high wind loads, eventually by oversizing the structure and incurring in higher material cost and rendering high costs scenarios when deploying solar trackers in solar fields. The object of the invention hereby disclosed is aimed at a solar tracker and method for operating said solar tracker that yields a solution highly structured solar trackers by providing a single horizontal axis solar tracker associated to at least one bifacial photovoltaic module. The single horizontal axis solar tracker of the invention has a bifacial photovoltaic module associated to the torque tube by means of a joint fixture along one of the sides of the bifacial solar module in such way that the solar module jointly moves when the torque tube rotates. Said single horizontal axis solar tracker of the invention may be operating according to the time of the day, consequently to the available sunlight, in such a way that face of the bifacial photovoltaic module associated to the torque tube is facing the sun. A bifacial photovoltaic module is also provided herein.
In order to maximize power output production, a solar plant and single axis solar tracker management method is hereby provided. The object of the invention embraces a solar plant and a method accounting for readings being made by field sensors whilst weather forecast data are provided by third parties such as weather forecast companies collecting and broadcasting weather forecast data related to sun irradiance levels and climate conditions affecting sun irradiance levels, like clouds, pollution or fog. Some of the solar trackers of the plant are furnished with irradiance sensors, whilst the solar plant has a plurality of solar sensors arranged along; these solar sensors being configured to measure irradiance on a horizontal plane. The object of the invention envisages an outpost solar tracker configured to take radiation measurements in an inclined plane and, when it is necessary to verify the measurements of the horizontal sensors, they will go to 0º positions.
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F24S 30/42 - Agencements pour mouvoir ou orienter des modules de collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le déplacement en rotation avec un seul axe de rotation
G05D 3/10 - Commande de la position ou de la direction sans utilisation de contre-réaction
F24S 50/20 - Agencements pour commander les collecteurs de chaleur solaire pour le suivi
40.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR INSTALLATION HAVING BIFACIAL PANELS
It comprises at least one solar tracker (3) with: a rotating structure, which supports bifacial photovoltaic solar panels (4), for solar tracking rotation of the panels (4) at least about a non-azimuth axis of rotation; and a control unit which commands the tracker (3); and an albedo reflector (5) arranged on the ground (7) on one side or on both sides of the solar tracker (3) with respect to the non-azimuth axis of rotation, next to the tracker (3) itself, wherein the albedo reflector (5) in turn comprises a reflective membrane (6) which reflects albedo radiation towards the panels (4). It enables the albedo radiation to be optimally harnessed.
The invention relates to single-axis solar trackers that move solar panels and are controlled by a solar tracker controller. The object of the invention addresses the issue of torque distribution in single horizontal axis solar trackers, to distribute the torque along the torque shaft or tube; the object of the invention provides a method and a system comprising a plurality of controllers disposed along the horizontal axis, said controllers being associated with actuators intended to operate at the angular position of the torque tube. The controllers operate with a dual function, in such a way that a controller acting as master controller performs the calculations of the rotational movements that will be induced by the actuators associated with the slave controllers.
The invention relates to electric solar trackers that move solar panels and are controlled by a solar tracker controller. More specifically, the subject matter of the invention is directed to a procedure for the commissioning of solar power plants. The invention discloses a mesh communications network, with multiple gateways associated with each solar tracker controller respectively; said gateways acting between the mesh communications network and a solar plant communications system in which each solar tracker controller is assigned a unique serial number comprising ID and the position of the solar tracker associated with said solar tracker controller in the solar plant. The gateway determines that a solar tracker is available for commissioning and sends configuration data to the solar tracker controller of the solar tracker that is available for commissioning, said configuration data including information on auxiliary gateways to which to connect should the primary gateway fail.
The invention relates to electric solar trackers moving solar panels and being controlled by a solar tracker controller, taking an estimation of the angle of positioning of the bifacial PV modules on a single axis solar tracker into account, wherein the electrical energy produced is maximized by means of a process that quantifies the variation of irradiation on both the front and rear faces depending on the orientation angle of the module for each solar angle, and then the optimal position for the production of electrical energy is decided of all the solar trackers of the plant. The production of electrical energy can be further optimized by including an albedo modifying arrangement. An arrangement for enhancing energy production in bifacial solar panel modules having a front side and a rear side is also provided herein.
The supporting structure comprises an omega-profile shaped metal support (3) with: horizontal upper portion (4), for vertically supporting photovoltaic panels (2); two flat lower portions (5) extending on both sides of upper portion (4), and connecting portions (6), connecting upper portion (4) with lower portions (5). Lower portions (5) include attaching holes (7) for attaching the lower portions (5) to ground through attaching means (8). Upper portion (4) and connecting portions (6) define inner hole (10) locating a gathering cabling (11) for gathering the electricity collected by each panel (2). The installation comprises photovoltaic panels (2) mounted on supporting structures. Preferably, albedo optimizing elements (21), attached to the metal support (3) are also included for improving capturing of albedo radiation. The invention helps to reduce foundation material, make mechanical and electrical contacts easier and raising gathering efficiency.
The subject matter of the invention enables the solar tracker to be positioned at angles that promote the cooling of the modules, thereby reducing the operating temperature thereof, without reducing the total energy produced, thus optimising photovoltaic (PV) energy production by reducing the working temperature of the PV modules of a solar tracker. The subject matter of invention not only solves the problems known in the art but also optimizes the electrical output of the system for particular conditions of instantaneous air temperature and wind speed, thus improving electrical power generation ratios with respect to the known current techniques, taking into account incident power in the PV plane or, in some cases, the output power irrespective of the action of changes in wind speed or air temperature.
The invention relates to electric solar trackers powered by rechargeable power sources, such as rechargeable batteries and how the solar tracker is fed in order to operate. The object of the invention embraces a system and a method for operating a solar tracker mainly fed by rechargeable power sources, powered by a main power supply fed by electricity produced by a solar panel associated to the solar tracker and operated by the latter. A controller is furnished with a set of instructions aimed to manage a power flow feeding the rechargeable power sources and the operating modes for the solar tracker, either fed by the main power supply or by the rechargeable power sources.
H02J 1/10 - Fonctionnement de sources à courant continu en parallèle
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p. ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
Solar tracker (1) for providing sun tracking to solar panels, and comprising several gearboxes (6, 7) for one single motor (4). In an embodiment, the solar tracker (1) comprises: torsion beam (2), defining a longitudinal direction of rotation and rotating the solar panels; motor (4), with motor shaft (5); first gearbox (6), at torsion beam (2) at first position, and connected to motor shaft (5) for transmitting to torsion beam (2) rotation of motor shaft (5); second gearbox (7), mounted to torsion beam (2) at second position further from motor (4) than first position; and primary shaft (8), coaxial to motor shaft (5), and connected to second gearbox (7), for transmitting to second gearbox (7) rotation of the motor shaft (5). Gearboxes (6, 7) define embedments withstanding torsion moment caused by wind loads for restricting rotation of torsion beam (2). It provides higher resistance to wind loads and allows for longer solar trackers (1).
The present invention relates to a frame (1) which comprises: a support structure (2) made up of profiles, for supporting photovoltaic panels, and comprising two lateral sides (6); and at least one reinforcement element (3), mounted in line with the corresponding lateral side (6) thereof, for supporting additional loads to the weight of the cells. The frame further includes connection means (4) for connecting to a torsion tube (5). In one exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement element (3) is a solid gusset, from which the lateral sides (6) are suspended, and the connection means (4) include upper (28) and lower (29) clamps which have a shape adapted to the torsion tube (5) to avoid relative rotation and which are tightened against the torsion tube by means of bolts (30) that pass through the clamps (28, 29) and corresponding nuts (31), the upper clamp (28) comprising lateral grooves (33) to fit the reinforcement elements (3).
The invention relates to a system for fastening a casing (1) to a tube (2) which, according to a first aspect of the invention, comprises a claw (4) provided with protuberances (6, 7), and, according to a second aspect of the invention, incorporates first rails (10) on side faces of the casing (1), and second rails (18) on an upper face of the casing (1) to hook onto the protuberances (6, 7). The claw (4) can pivot with respect to the first protuberances (6), both to house the tube (2) and to hook onto the second rail (18), as well as to surround and press against the tube (2), once the second rail (18) is hooked. The fastening system allows for a faster and more ergonomic fastening without the use of tools and elements such as connecting screws and bolts.
The invention relates to a construction tube (1) that has a circular cross-section, wherein the circular cross-section comprises two circular segments (2) and two diametrically opposed planar segments (3) that define two parallel planes interrupting the circular segments (2). This combines the advantages of construction tubes with a circular cross-section and construction tubes with a polygonal cross-section. The construction tube (1) can be connected to a connectable element, preferably selected among another construction tube (1) and an output shaft (30) or a gearbox (31) of a solar tracker, in particular, using internal parts (5) and/or clamps (7, 8). The construction tube (1) of the invention is especially useful in solar collection systems, forming part of a torsion shaft (22) of a solar tracker.
F16B 7/18 - Assemblages de barres ou assemblages de tubes, p. ex. de section non circulaire, y compris les assemblages élastiques utilisant des éléments filetés
H02S 20/32 - Structures de support mobiles ou réglables, p. ex. pour réglage de l’angle spécialement adaptées pour le suivi du soleil
F16B 5/12 - Fixation par clips de bandes ou de barres à des feuilles ou plaques, p. ex. bandes de caoutchouc, bandes décoratives pour véhicules à moteur
51.
PV-OPTIMISER POWER SYSTEM FOR SUPPLY OF POWER FROM A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION
A PV-optimiser power system (5) for a photovoltaic installation for supply of power from a photovoltaic installation. The system comprises a first DC/DC converter (1) connected to a PV panel (4b) and to one or more energy storage modules (3), and a second DC/DC converter (2), connected in parallel to said PV panel in a string of PV panels of a PV installation, wherein said second DC/DC converter (2) is configured to operate as an optimiser and execute a maximum power point tracking algorithm (MPPT) to determine the maximum power output of the PV panel (4b) of said plurality of PV panels in the string.
H02J 3/38 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
H02J 7/35 - Fonctionnement en parallèle, dans des réseaux, de batteries avec d'autres sources à courant continu, p. ex. batterie tampon avec des cellules sensibles à la lumière
H02J 11/00 - Circuits pour pourvoir au service d'alimentation des auxiliaires de stations, dans lesquels la puissance électrique est produite, distribuée ou convertie
52.
SUPPORT CONNECTOR, SOLAR PANEL CONNECTOR ATTACHABLE TO THE SUPPORT CONNECTOR, AND ATTACHING SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID SUPPORT CONNECTOR AND SAID SOLAR PANEL CONNECTOR
The invention discloses a system for attaching a solar panel (100) to a support (200), comprising a support connector (1) and a solar panel connector (2), where the support connector (1) comprises a U-shaped profile having a lower wall (11) and two side walls (12, 13), where an upper end of the side walls (12, 13) is bent inwards to provide vertical rails (14) for receiving the panel connector (2); and the panel connector (2) comprises a profile having: an upper C-shaped portion (21) configured for receiving a side edge of a solar panel (100); a lower, upwardly oriented channel portion (22) configured for receiving the vertical rail (14) of the support connector (1); and at least one box-shaped portion (23) connecting the upper C-shaped portion (21) and the lower channel portion (22). The invention also relates to the support connector (1) and to the panel connector (2).
H02S 20/10 - Structures de support directement fixées sur le sol
53.
PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION AGAINST INCIDENT WIND AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION AGAINST DAMAGE CAUSED BY INCIDENT WIND
The present invention relates to a protection system for protecting against incident wind in a photovoltaic installation and a method for protecting a photovoltaic installation against damage caused by incident wind. The protection system for protecting a photovoltaic installation comprises a plurality of parallel and spaced apart rows of solar trackers (20) comprising a central shaft (21) attached to supports (22) by means of couplings (25) and supporting photovoltaic panels (23); and at least one actuator device (24) kinematically connected to the central shaft (21) for modifying its angular position; wherein at least one row (11, 12) comprises a deflecting barrier (30) below the photovoltaic panels (23) and between the supports (22), covering between 40% and 65% of the distance (D) existing between the central shaft (21) and the ground, defining a passage (P) between the deflecting barrier (30) and the central shaft (21) for redirecting the incident wind.
brevets
