The core of the fully automatic solar tracker lies in accurately perceiving the position of the sun and driving adjustments. I will combine its applications in different cases and elaborate on its working principle in detail from three key links: sensor detection, control system analysis and decision-making, and mechanical transmission adjustment.
The working principle of the fully automatic solar tracker is mainly based on the real-time monitoring and precise control of the sun’s position. Through the coordinated operation of sensors, control systems and mechanical transmission devices, it achieves automatic tracking of the sun, as follows:
Solar position detection: The fully automatic solar tracker relies on multiple sensors to detect the position of the sun in real time. The common ones include the combination of photoelectric sensors and astronomical calendar calculation methods. Photoelectric sensors are usually composed of multiple photovoltaic cells distributed in different directions. When sunlight shines, the intensity of the light received by each photovoltaic cell is different. By comparing the output signals of different photovoltaic cells, the azimuth and altitude angles of the sun can be determined. Astronomical calendar calculation rules are based on the laws of the Earth’s revolution and rotation around the Sun, combined with information such as date, time, and geographical location, to calculate the theoretical position of the Sun in the sky through preset mathematical models. In the case of large-scale solar power stations, high-precision solar position sensors provide data support for subsequent adjustments by monitoring the azimuth and altitude angles of the sun.
Signal processing and control decision-making: The solar position signal detected by the sensor is transmitted to the control system, which is usually an embedded microprocessor or computer control system. The control system analyzes and processes the signals, compares the actual position of the sun detected by the sensor with the current Angle of the photovoltaic panel or the observation equipment, and calculates the Angle difference that needs to be adjusted. Then, based on the preset control strategy and algorithm, corresponding control instructions are generated to drive the mechanical transmission device for Angle adjustment. In astronomical scientific research observation cases, after setting the observation parameters through computer software, the control system can automatically analyze and decide how to adjust the Angle of the observation equipment according to the preset program.
Mechanical transmission and Angle adjustment: The instructions issued by the control system are transmitted to the mechanical transmission device. Common mechanical transmission methods include electric push rods, stepper motors combined with gears or lead screws, etc. Upon receiving the instruction, the mechanical transmission device will drive the photovoltaic panel support or the observation equipment support to rotate or tilt as required, adjusting the photovoltaic panel or the observation equipment to be perpendicular to or at a specific Angle to the sunlight. For instance, in the case of agricultural greenhouse photovoltaic systems, the single-axis fully automatic solar tracker adjusts the Angle of the photovoltaic panels through mechanical transmission devices according to the instructions of the control system, ensuring that crops receive sufficient light while achieving efficient reception of solar radiation.
Feedback and Correction: To ensure the accuracy of tracking, the system will also introduce a feedback mechanism. Angle sensors are usually installed on mechanical transmission devices to monitor the actual Angle of photovoltaic panels or observation equipment in real time and feed back this Angle information to the control system. The control system compares the actual Angle with the target Angle. If there is a deviation, it will issue an adjustment instruction again to correct the Angle and ensure the tracking accuracy. Through continuous detection, calculation, adjustment and feedback, the fully automatic solar tracker can continuously and accurately track the changes in the position of the sun.
A case of improving the power generation efficiency of large-scale solar power stations
(1) Project Background
A large-scale ground-mounted solar power station in the United States has an installed capacity of 50 megawatts. It originally used fixed brackets to install photovoltaic panels. Due to the inability to follow the changes in the sun’s position in real time, the amount of solar radiation received by the photovoltaic panels was limited, resulting in a relatively low power generation efficiency. Especially in the early morning and late evening and during the transition of seasons, the power generation loss was significant. To enhance the power generation efficiency of the power station, the operator of the power station has decided to introduce an automatic solar tracker.
(2) Solutions
Replace the photovoltaic panel brackets in batches within the power station and install dual-axis fully automatic solar trackers. This tracker monitors the azimuth and altitude angles of the sun in real time through high-precision solar position sensors. Combined with an advanced control system, it drives the bracket to automatically adjust the Angle of the photovoltaic panels, ensuring that the photovoltaic panels are always perpendicular to the sunlight. Meanwhile, the tracker is connected to the intelligent management system of the power station to achieve remote monitoring and fault early warning.
(3) Implementation Effect
After installing the fully automatic solar tracker, the power generation efficiency of the solar power station has been significantly improved. According to statistics, the annual power generation has increased by 25% to 30% compared with before, with a significant increase in the average daily power generation. During periods with poor lighting conditions such as winter and rainy days, the power generation advantage is even more prominent. The return on investment of the power station has significantly increased, and it is expected that the cost of equipment renovation will be recovered 2 to 3 years ahead of schedule.
A case of precise positioning in astronomical scientific research observations
(1) Project Background
When a certain astronomical research institution in Russia was conducting solar observation research, the traditional manual adjustment of observation equipment could not meet the demand for high-precision and long-term tracking and observation of the sun, making it difficult to obtain continuous and accurate solar data. To enhance the level of scientific research and observation, the institution has decided to use fully automatic solar trackers to assist in the observation.
(2) Solutions
A high-precision fully automatic solar tracker specially designed for scientific research is selected. The positioning accuracy of this tracker can reach 0.1°, and it has high stability and anti-interference ability. The tracker is rigally connected and precisely calibrated with scientific research observation equipment such as solar telescopes and spectrometers. Observation parameters are set through computer software, enabling the tracker to automatically adjust the Angle of the observation equipment according to the preset program and track the trajectory of the sun in real time.
(3) Implementation Effect
After the fully automatic solar tracker is put into use, researchers can easily achieve long-term and high-precision tracking and observation of the sun. The continuity and accuracy of the observation data have been significantly improved, effectively reducing data loss and error caused by untimely equipment adjustment. With the help of this tracker, the research team successfully obtained more abundant solar activity data and achieved many important scientific research results in fields such as sunspot research and coronal observation.
A case of collaborative optimization of photovoltaic systems in Agricultural greenhouses
(1) Project Background
In a certain agricultural photovoltaic integrated greenhouse in Brazil, the photovoltaic panels are installed in a fixed manner. While meeting the light demand of the crops inside the greenhouse, it is unable to fully utilize solar energy for power generation. To achieve the coordinated optimization of agricultural production and photovoltaic power generation and increase the comprehensive income of greenhouses, the operator has decided to install fully automatic solar trackers.
(2) Solutions
Install a single-axis fully automatic solar tracker. This tracker can adjust the Angle of the photovoltaic panels according to the position of the sun. Under the premise of ensuring the duration and intensity of sunlight for the crops inside the greenhouse, it can receive solar radiation to the greatest extent. Through the intelligent control system, the Angle adjustment range of the photovoltaic panels can be set to prevent excessive sunlight blocking from the photovoltaic panels from affecting the growth of crops. Meanwhile, the tracker is linked with the environmental monitoring system of the greenhouse to adjust the Angle of the photovoltaic panels in real time according to the growth needs of the crops.
(3) Implementation Effect
After installing the fully automatic solar tracker, the photovoltaic power generation of agricultural greenhouses has increased by about 20%, achieving efficient utilization of solar energy resources without affecting the normal growth of crops. The crops in the greenhouse grow well due to more uniform light conditions, and both the yield and quality have improved. The synergy between agriculture and the photovoltaic industry is remarkable, and the overall income of greenhouses has increased by 15% to 20% compared with before.
The above cases demonstrate the application achievements of fully automatic solar trackers in different fields. If you want to know more about specific scenario cases or have any directions for content modification, please feel free to tell me at any time.
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Post time: Jun-18-2025