Although solar trackers can significantly increase the energy output of solar cells by keeping them optimally aligned to the sun, installing them on all the panels at an installation can add significant expense and provides multiple points of failure. A new tracking system from QBotix avoids these problems by getting a robot to do the rounds of the solar installation throughout the day and adjust the panels at 40-minute intervals to ensure they are optimally facing the sun.
The QBotix Tracking System (QTS) essentially takes the individual motors and controllers traditionally placed on each panel mount and replaces them with a pair of autonomous mobile robots – one primary and one back up. These “Solbots” contain the motors and controllers required to physically realign the panels and travel from panel to panel on a rail, adjusting each panel as they go. The tracks can be laid on ground without extensive grading required and the system is modular, so the tracks can be extended if more panels are added.
QBotix says its Solbots are dustproof and waterproof (to IP-65 rating) and can monitor and operate a 300 kW solar array. However, the panels do need to be mounted on QBotix designed mounting system that is compatible with the robots. But the company says its trackers are compatible with all standard solar modules, inverters and foundation types used in ground-mounted solar installations. The trackers are also purely mechanical with no motors or electronic components, reducing the chances of a breakdown.
The QTS is a dual-axis tracking system that follows the sun vertically and horizontally. QBotix claims it will generate up to 40 percent more energy than fixed mount systems, and up to 15 percent more energy than existing single-axis systems – this is despite being comparable in cost to existing single-axis systems. It is available for commercial photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated photovoltaic (CV) installations.
The first video below shows how the QTS works and, just because everything looks better in time-lapse, we’ve embedded a second video that shows the QTS tracking over the course of a day.
Source: QBotix
Likewise to get about 95% of the day sun, it would need to travel about 45 degree, east of south and west of south, or 90 total.
I am working on a common mount with push and pull rods that will be hydraulically adjusted and yet be robust enough for storms. I plan on a Seimens S7-1200 controller and probably a dedicated PC. I can envision a setting for storms that place it in the best possible position for rough winds, hail or the like.
Eventually even a program can network with weather prediction to make future planning decisions, not only react to what is already occuring.
Perhaps someone has seen a hybrid active hot water and PV system or absorbtion amonia system?
Uavs guided by sensing robots in the tasks of crop dusting and water etc are the only robots that belong in such places
Mark Townsend: A better design might use linkage, with the bot doing the initial calibration - the most difficult part of a linked tracker installation. The bot could then retire to its den and guide the entire array from relative safety. If panel or array output (dependent on monitoring) drop below predicted norms the bot could make a calibration run.
There is a single track. A bit of metal. No maintenance on that really. There is a single vehicle that travels on that track. That vehicle, call it a robot if you like, has a couple of motors and a "prodder" that moves the panel into position. Therefore your maintenance consists of having a look to see if the track is clear and a couple of motors. You could easily have several spare "robots" and just replace them as needed. If you go with what you propose you are right back at the problem this solves: Many points of failure and many complex mechanical systems to replace and calibrate.