Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
(OP)
Dear Engineers,
I am designing a sun tracking system for pv panels. The idea is simple: you want the panels to be at 90 degrees to the sun's rays. Meaning you must track the sun from east to west as the day progresses.
The tracking system must perform 2 mechanical tasks:
-rotate from east to west everyday.
-tilt very slightly every couple of weeks to adjust for the seasons.
Here's the challenge:
What kind of off the shelf components would best be suited to perform these tasks given that you want to consume as little energy as possible (very important).
The tracking of the sun is not important here, but rather, what kinds of mechanisms could be used to perform the described movement.
First thoughts: The mechanism used in a rotating fan comes to mind.
For the tilting, i thought linear drive actuators could be fitting.
Looking forward to hearing what you can come up with!
I am designing a sun tracking system for pv panels. The idea is simple: you want the panels to be at 90 degrees to the sun's rays. Meaning you must track the sun from east to west as the day progresses.
The tracking system must perform 2 mechanical tasks:
-rotate from east to west everyday.
-tilt very slightly every couple of weeks to adjust for the seasons.
Here's the challenge:
What kind of off the shelf components would best be suited to perform these tasks given that you want to consume as little energy as possible (very important).
The tracking of the sun is not important here, but rather, what kinds of mechanisms could be used to perform the described movement.
First thoughts: The mechanism used in a rotating fan comes to mind.
For the tilting, i thought linear drive actuators could be fitting.
Looking forward to hearing what you can come up with!





RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
The idea of stepper motors is intriguing. Will certainly do research on their applications.
Mike, the similarities between solar tracking systems and telescopes have come to mind before. I will look into their design for further inspiration.
tr1ntx, you are right to say that systems like these alreasy exist. However, they are not cost effective enough for residential owners to install. Knowing that tracking systems improve the efficiency of your solar panels by at least 30%, a simple low cost system could certainly be of interest.
Thank you all once again for your responses!
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
You need a structure strong enough to withstand wind. Perversely heaver might be better. mounted on a cheap lazy susan bearing to slew around and track sun.
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Drive DC gear motor through a small friction wheel running on base. Assuming smooth surface available. Could be integrated in lazy susan arrangement.
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
Hey - if they can fry people with concave hotel walls in Las Vegas - see news highlights this day - then we should be able to solve this.
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
Also take a look at acme jacks for cheap movement.
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
There are, however, cylindrical concentrators, which are curved in cross section only, and focus the sun on a long horizontal pipe instead of a point target. Because the focus is not perfect at non-normal orientation, they have to be less efficient than parabolic concentrators, but they have to be much cheaper to make, partly because of the simpler geometry and partly because they don't desperately need a tracking drive in either azimuth or elevation.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?
RE: Challenge: Low Consumption Electric Rotation?