torque calculation- solar tracker
torque calculation- solar tracker
(OP)
my team is designing a solar tracker, the module mounting structure has been designed considering dead load and wind load into consideration. I am supposed to calculate the torque or thrust required to tilt or rotate the structure using a linear or rotary electrical actuator. The arrangement is similar to a mechanism used to operate elevators in aircraft, i.e. using a push-pull rod, which is connected to torque arm.
The only difference is that, much of the load is carried by the leg members in my case. as for calculation, I am getting a very high value of torque. I have attached the calculation, please look into that. and I request you to comment on it.
if you need any more information, let me know.
The only difference is that, much of the load is carried by the leg members in my case. as for calculation, I am getting a very high value of torque. I have attached the calculation, please look into that. and I request you to comment on it.
if you need any more information, let me know.





RE: torque calculation- solar tracker
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RE: torque calculation- solar tracker
RE: torque calculation- solar tracker
You need to identify where your pivot point is. Hypothetically, it should be close to the panel than the tie rod. In which case, you should have some mechanical advantage due to the lever arm difference between the tie rod arm va, the mounting arm. This would allow you to trade torque for a longer throw on the tie rod. There is no reason to make this worse, since you really don't have a time constraint, so the tie rod can take a rather long time to move the panels.
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RE: torque calculation- solar tracker
RE: torque calculation- solar tracker
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: torque calculation- solar tracker
and the steel frame for a structure weighs 200kg and the module (solar array?) weighs 20g ?
a wind load of 178kg per module for a wind of 47 m/s ... can you detail that calc ?
does the wind and weight cause the same torque ?
i guess this structure moves slow enough that you don't need to consider the Iw^2 of the arrays ?
is the wind load constant ? at 0deg wouldn't the wind load be zero ?
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