Development of Mass-Producible Line-Focus Tracking Concentrating Solar Collectors. Category 2: Trackers

摘要

The design and construction of the third generation mass-producible tracker system for line-focus concentrating solar collectors has been completed and has performed well in testing and use at the Modular Industrial Solar Retrofit (MISR). The design incorporates high tracking accuracy and smart response to varying insolation and operational conditions, allows a low-cost tracking and control system, and provides high collector system performance. The tracker system consists of the tracker controller (a tracker head) and interconnecting cable. The tracker controller is in a single enclosure and employs a light band photodiode system as the primary tracking method. Other related elements not part of the tracker system itself are the drive motor, group control box, master controller and Solar Tracking Angle Reference. Key aspects of these elements are described herein to provide a complete description of the tracker function and its interactions. This report presents the tracker design requirements, the basic design and functional description, a detailed component description, and production planning comments. (ERA citation 10:006636)