New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants
In this work, an omnidirectional sensor that enables identification of the direction of the celestial sphere with maximum solar irradiance is presented. The sensor, based on instantaneous measurements, functions as a position server for dual-axis solar trackers in photovoltaic plants. The proposed d...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/3/726 |
| _version_ | 1797408636935340032 |
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| author | Francisco J. Gómez-Uceda José Ramirez-Faz Marta Varo-Martinez Luis Manuel Fernández-Ahumada |
| author_facet | Francisco J. Gómez-Uceda José Ramirez-Faz Marta Varo-Martinez Luis Manuel Fernández-Ahumada |
| author_sort | Francisco J. Gómez-Uceda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this work, an omnidirectional sensor that enables identification of the direction of the celestial sphere with maximum solar irradiance is presented. The sensor, based on instantaneous measurements, functions as a position server for dual-axis solar trackers in photovoltaic plants. The proposed device has been developed with free software and hardware, which makes it a pioneering solution because it is open and accessible as well as capable of being improved by the scientific community, thereby contributing to the rapid advancement of technology. In addition, the device includes an algorithm developed ex professo that makes it possible to predetermine the regions of the celestial sphere for which, according to the geometric characteristics of the PV plant, there would be shading between the panels. In this way, solar trackers do not have to locate the Sun’s position at all times according to astronomical models, while taking into account factors such as shadows or cloudiness that also affect levels of incident irradiance on solar collectors. Therefore, with this device, it is possible to provide photovoltaic plants with dual-axis solar tracking with a low-cost device that helps to optimise the trajectory of the trackers and, consequently, their radiative capture and energy production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:02:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef24941ffbc64986be86065fe8af8b5f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:02:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef24941ffbc64986be86065fe8af8b5f2023-12-03T14:12:33ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-01-0121372610.3390/s21030726New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic PlantsFrancisco J. Gómez-Uceda0José Ramirez-Faz1Marta Varo-Martinez2Luis Manuel Fernández-Ahumada3Department of Mechanics, Campus of Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, SpainDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Automatics, Campus of Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, SpainDepartment of Applied Physics, Radiology and Physical Medicine, Campus of Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, SpainDepartment of Electrical Engineering and Automatics, Campus of Rabanales, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, SpainIn this work, an omnidirectional sensor that enables identification of the direction of the celestial sphere with maximum solar irradiance is presented. The sensor, based on instantaneous measurements, functions as a position server for dual-axis solar trackers in photovoltaic plants. The proposed device has been developed with free software and hardware, which makes it a pioneering solution because it is open and accessible as well as capable of being improved by the scientific community, thereby contributing to the rapid advancement of technology. In addition, the device includes an algorithm developed ex professo that makes it possible to predetermine the regions of the celestial sphere for which, according to the geometric characteristics of the PV plant, there would be shading between the panels. In this way, solar trackers do not have to locate the Sun’s position at all times according to astronomical models, while taking into account factors such as shadows or cloudiness that also affect levels of incident irradiance on solar collectors. Therefore, with this device, it is possible to provide photovoltaic plants with dual-axis solar tracking with a low-cost device that helps to optimise the trajectory of the trackers and, consequently, their radiative capture and energy production.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/3/726free and open-source hardware (FOSH)sun position sensoromnidirectional sensorsolar trackersPV plantsbacktracking |
| spellingShingle | Francisco J. Gómez-Uceda José Ramirez-Faz Marta Varo-Martinez Luis Manuel Fernández-Ahumada New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants Sensors free and open-source hardware (FOSH) sun position sensor omnidirectional sensor solar trackers PV plants backtracking |
| title | New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants |
| title_full | New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants |
| title_fullStr | New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants |
| title_short | New Omnidirectional Sensor Based on Open-Source Software and Hardware for Tracking and Backtracking of Dual-Axis Solar Trackers in Photovoltaic Plants |
| title_sort | new omnidirectional sensor based on open source software and hardware for tracking and backtracking of dual axis solar trackers in photovoltaic plants |
| topic | free and open-source hardware (FOSH) sun position sensor omnidirectional sensor solar trackers PV plants backtracking |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/3/726 |
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