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‘Self‐learning Tracking’: a New Control Strategy for PV Concentrators
Author(s) -
Arboiro J. C.,
Sala G.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-159x(199705/06)5:3<213::aid-pip171>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - tracking (education) , photovoltaic system , computer science , tracking system , concentrator , control (management) , energy (signal processing) , subject (documents) , tracking error , scheme (mathematics) , artificial intelligence , control engineering , engineering , electrical engineering , telecommunications , mathematics , psychology , pedagogy , mathematical analysis , statistics , library science , kalman filter
Usually the tracking system is not given much importance when designing a photovoltaic (PV) concentrator, partly because the intensive work carried out on this subject has provided it with a false sense of maturity. However, only a few tracking systems have ever been successfully implemented in practical concentrators and many systems never worked in spite of the perfect theoretical design. In this paper we present a review of the experience in tracking systems from the Institute of Solar Energy. This experience runs in parallel with the evolution and development of such systems. It starts with the SANDIA experience in 1977 and moves on to discussing the problems and lessons learned with both open and closed loop systems in the Ramón Areces project (1978). After a brief description of self‐aligning systems, we finish by discussing a new approach to tracking: the self‐learning concept. In this case the tracking system monitors continuously the operation current, refines constantly its knowledge of the errors and misalignments affecting tracking accuracy and performs the corrections required. The algorithm for this scheme, which has already proved reliable for operation in the EUCLIDES concentrator prototype (1995 to date), is described in some depth. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.