TY - GEN
T1 - Co-optimization of solar tracking for shading and photovoltaic energy conversion
AU - Meggers, Forrest
AU - Aviv, Dorit
AU - Charpentier, Victor
AU - Teitelbaum, Eric
AU - Ainslie, Adam
AU - Adriaenssens, Sigrid
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Building Simulation Conference Proceedings. All rights reserved.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - We investigate the geometric co-optimization of shading and solar photovoltaic tracking with a single surface. The simulation combines ideal solar tracking with a unique method for continuous shading of a fixed surface area through all sun angles. For photovoltaics, a panel achieves maximum power production by maintaining a normal orientation to the sun vector. This is achieved by tracking the 2-axis solar motion. Shading is also increased with standard tracking, but the area shaded is not effectively controlled by normal tracking alone. By rotating the panel along a path in space that maps the arc the sun makes across the sky, it is possible to also provide constant shading to a fixed position at the centroid of the arc while simultaneously maintaining a normal orientation to solar rays. The simulations were made as part of the development of a solar photovoltaic powered outdoor work table with a continuously shaded work surface. The results show the ability to maintain continuous shading, and to double the potential PV generation as compared to a fixed panel. We built a prototype that achieved this operation, and in that process used a curved panel, which has led to further simulation of curved PV surfaces. This analysis demonstrates the potential leveling of the power curve. Although it decreases total energy produced per area of panel, we show curved surfaces can significantly increase the power per unit area of panel footprint.
AB - We investigate the geometric co-optimization of shading and solar photovoltaic tracking with a single surface. The simulation combines ideal solar tracking with a unique method for continuous shading of a fixed surface area through all sun angles. For photovoltaics, a panel achieves maximum power production by maintaining a normal orientation to the sun vector. This is achieved by tracking the 2-axis solar motion. Shading is also increased with standard tracking, but the area shaded is not effectively controlled by normal tracking alone. By rotating the panel along a path in space that maps the arc the sun makes across the sky, it is possible to also provide constant shading to a fixed position at the centroid of the arc while simultaneously maintaining a normal orientation to solar rays. The simulations were made as part of the development of a solar photovoltaic powered outdoor work table with a continuously shaded work surface. The results show the ability to maintain continuous shading, and to double the potential PV generation as compared to a fixed panel. We built a prototype that achieved this operation, and in that process used a curved panel, which has led to further simulation of curved PV surfaces. This analysis demonstrates the potential leveling of the power curve. Although it decreases total energy produced per area of panel, we show curved surfaces can significantly increase the power per unit area of panel footprint.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063272238&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85063272238&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.26868/25222708.2017.605
DO - 10.26868/25222708.2017.605
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85063272238
T3 - Building Simulation Conference Proceedings
SP - 2792
EP - 2799
BT - 15th International Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association, Building Simulation 2017
A2 - Barnaby, Charles S.
A2 - Wetter, Michael
PB - International Building Performance Simulation Association
T2 - 15th International Conference of the International Building Performance Simulation Association, Building Simulation 2017
Y2 - 7 August 2017 through 9 August 2017
ER -