Patent · US Active

Field level tracker controller

US8076625B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
5References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2009
Grant dateDec 13, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving the total power output from a field of solar energy systems. The invention provides a field level tracker controller which calculates an improved positioning of individual solar energy systems and communicates those configurations to trackers in the field. An algorithm stored in the controller calculates the improved configuration for the solar energy systems based on factors such as solar movement, shade patterns generated by surrounding structures, and measured output of the energy systems. Improved positioning may include individual energy systems being directed to a stowed position to maximize the power output of the field as a whole.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.