TClab Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems
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A TClab Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems engineering study. By accurately adjusting the azimuth and altitude angles, solar panel positioning systems can optimize the orientation and tilt of the panels to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day, thus improving energy generation efficiency. Azimuth corrections refers to the horizontal angle at which the solar panels are aligned relative to a reference point, usually the north direction. It represents the rotation around a vertical axis. The azimuth angle typically ranges from 0° (facing north) to 360° (completing a full circle). By adjusting the azimuth angle, the solar panels can track the sun's path throughout the day to maximize exposure to sunlight. Altitude corrections refers to the vertical angle or tilt at which the solar panels are positioned relative to the ground or a horizontal reference plane. It represents the angle of elevation or inclination from the horizontal plane. The altitude angle usually ranges from 0° (panels lying flat) to 90° (panels standing straight up). The altitude angle is adjusted based on factors such as the latitude of the installation location and the time of year to optimize the angle at which the panels receive sunlight.
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TClab Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems
- 1. TCLAB TCLAB Engineering – Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems Mechanical and Software Engineering Johan Louwers - TCLAB TCLAB
- 2. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 2 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB By accurately adjusting the azimuth and altitude angles, solar panel positioning systems can optimize the orientation and tilt of the panels to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day, thus improving energy generation efficiency. Azimuth corrections refers to the horizontal angle at which the solar panels are aligned relative to a reference point, usually the north direction. It represents the rotation around a vertical axis. The azimuth angle typically ranges from 0° (facing north) to 360° (completing a full circle). By adjusting the azimuth angle, the solar panels can track the sun's path throughout the day to maximize exposure to sunlight. Altitude corrections refers to the vertical angle or tilt at which the solar panels are positioned relative to the ground or a horizontal reference plane. It represents the angle of elevation or inclination from the horizontal plane. The altitude angle usually ranges from 0° (panels lying flat) to 90° (panels standing straight up). The altitude angle is adjusted based on factors such as the latitude of the installation location and the time of year to optimize the angle at which the panels receive sunlight.
- 3. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 3 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB Azimuth corrections throughout the day, to allow the solar panels to follow the sun, can be achieved by rotation leveraging a slew drive. By leveraging a slew drive it allows the entire panel to “adopt” the correct azimuth and optimize the amount of “solar time” on the panels. A slew drive is a compact gearbox that combines gears and a motor to provide controlled rotation for heavy loads in applications such as solar tracking systems, cranes, and industrial equipment. The primary purpose of a slew drive is to enable precise and controlled rotation of an attached load or component. It achieves this by transmitting torque from the motor to the output drive through the gear mechanism. The gear mechanism allows for both rotational movement (slewing) and the ability to withstand significant axial and radial loads.
- 4. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 4 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB Azimuth corrections throughout the day, to allow the solar panels to follow the sun, can be achieved by rotation leveraging a slew drive. By leveraging a slew drive it allows the entire panel to “adopt” the correct azimuth and optimize the amount of “solar time” on the panels. A slew drive is a compact gearbox that combines gears and a motor to provide controlled rotation for heavy loads in applications such as solar tracking systems, cranes, and industrial equipment. The primary purpose of a slew drive is to enable precise and controlled rotation of an attached load or component. It achieves this by transmitting torque from the motor to the output drive through the gear mechanism. The gear mechanism allows for both rotational movement (slewing) and the ability to withstand significant axial and radial loads.
- 5. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 5 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB Azimuth corrections throughout the day, to allow the solar panels to follow the sun, can be achieved by rotation leveraging a slew drive. By leveraging a slew drive it allows the entire panel to “adopt” the correct azimuth and optimize the amount of “solar time” on the panels. A slew drive is a compact gearbox that combines gears and a motor to provide controlled rotation for heavy loads in applications such as solar tracking systems, cranes, and industrial equipment. The primary purpose of a slew drive is to enable precise and controlled rotation of an attached load or component. It achieves this by transmitting torque from the motor to the output drive through the gear mechanism. The gear mechanism allows for both rotational movement (slewing) and the ability to withstand significant axial and radial loads.
- 6. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 6 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB Altitude corrections in combination with azimuth corrections will allow the panel to always position itself in the most optimal position for the Solar Panels. Altitude corrections are realized by using linear actuators A linear actuator is a device that converts rotational motion into linear motion, allowing objects to be pushed, pulled, or positioned in a straight line. A typical linear actuator consists of a motor, a lead screw or a belt drive mechanism, and a housing that encloses these components. When the motor rotates, it drives the lead screw or belt, which in turn translates the rotational motion into linear motion along the axis of the actuator. This linear motion can be used to move various objects or components. Linear actuators are widely used in many industries and applications, including robotics, automation systems, medical devices, and aerospace. They offer advantages such as precise positioning, compact size, and the ability to exert significant force.
- 7. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 7 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB Altitude corrections in combination with azimuth corrections will allow the panel to always position itself in the most optimal position for the Solar Panels. Altitude corrections are realized by using linear actuators A linear actuator is a device that converts rotational motion into linear motion, allowing objects to be pushed, pulled, or positioned in a straight line. A typical linear actuator consists of a motor, a lead screw or a belt drive mechanism, and a housing that encloses these components. When the motor rotates, it drives the lead screw or belt, which in turn translates the rotational motion into linear motion along the axis of the actuator. This linear motion can be used to move various objects or components. Linear actuators are widely used in many industries and applications, including robotics, automation systems, medical devices, and aerospace. They offer advantages such as precise positioning, compact size, and the ability to exert significant force.
- 8. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 8 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB By accurately adjusting the azimuth and altitude angles, solar panel positioning systems can optimize the orientation and tilt of the panels to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day, thus improving energy generation efficiency. Python (Py)Ephem package simplifies these calculations by providing a straightforward interface for accessing the sun’s position based on the given parameters. By utilizing the package’s functions, such as ephem.Observer() and ephem.Sun(), you can compute the sun’s azimuth and elevation angles for a specific date, time, and geographic location.
- 9. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 9 Dynamic Solar Panel Positioning Systems An engineering study into Dual-Axis positioning TCLAB Leveraging the standardized Tclab nodes platform can be used to both add multiple sensors to the positioning system as well as controlling slew drives and linear actuators for altitude corrections and azimuth corrections Sensors can include power production sensors, solar flux as well as wind directions and other factors that one would like to consider when determining the optimal position of the solar panels. Next to the standard use of the sensors slots in a TClab sensor node the sensor slots can also be used a controller slots to control the actuators. Sensor slot A Sensor slot B Sensor slot C Sensor slot D TCLAB Sensor Logic Controller GSM Slot Power Slot Power Control GSM Control TCLAB Node Logic Controller Mesh Control Radio Communication Capabilities Node Operating System TCLAB Software Defined Management Hardware boundary Software boundary
- 10. TCLAB Copyright © 2023, TerminalCult Lab – TCLAB – Johan Louwers 10 TCLAB Thank You