Optimal Design of the Mechanical Device for a Photovoltaic Tracking Mechanism

Abstract:

Increasing the conversion efficiency of the solar energy into electricity is one of the most addressed topics in the field of renewable energy systems. In this paper, the pseudo-azimuthal tracking mechanism for a PV platform it was selected for presentation. The study is focused on the optimization of the mechanical device model of the tracking mechanism (developed with the MBS software environment ADAMS of MSC). The optimization is based on the parametrization of the model by using the design points that define the locations of the geometric constraints (i.e. the joints). The objective of the optimization is to minimize the motor force developed by the driving source, which is a linear actuator. In addition, a design constraint is used to limit (restrict) the value of the pressure angle. The optimization study leads to the minimization of the energetic consumption during tracking, with positive effect on the energy balance of the photovoltaic system with sun tracker.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 186)
• Pages: 114-123
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.186.114
• Online since: June 2012
• Authors: Monica Alina Ionită, Cătălin Alexandru
• Keywords: Optimization, Photovoltaic Module, Tracking Mechanism, Virtual Prototype

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