This paper investigates the effect of tracking errors in heliostats used in solar tower power plants and proposes an approach based on low-cost distributed electronics capable of limiting their impact. An analysis carried out through a parallel model sets the specifications for design of a closed-loop solar tracker based on a low-cost six-axis digital e-compass. A proof of concept system is devised to test the accuracy of the proposed strategy. This approach allows the solar tracker to perform a run-time detection and correction of heliostat tracking errors, with an accuracy of about 3mrad for the azimuth angle and less than 2mrad for the altitude angle, thus leading to a higher concentration ratio than with an open-loop solar-tracker.

Run-time detection and correction of heliostat tracking errors

CHIESI, MATTEO;FRANCHI SCARSELLI, ELEONORA;GUERRIERI, ROBERTO
2017

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of tracking errors in heliostats used in solar tower power plants and proposes an approach based on low-cost distributed electronics capable of limiting their impact. An analysis carried out through a parallel model sets the specifications for design of a closed-loop solar tracker based on a low-cost six-axis digital e-compass. A proof of concept system is devised to test the accuracy of the proposed strategy. This approach allows the solar tracker to perform a run-time detection and correction of heliostat tracking errors, with an accuracy of about 3mrad for the azimuth angle and less than 2mrad for the altitude angle, thus leading to a higher concentration ratio than with an open-loop solar-tracker.
2017
Chiesi, Matteo; Franchi Scarselli, Eleonora; Guerrieri, Roberto
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/575876
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