Modeling and simulation of the tracking mechanism used for a photovoltaic platform

Abstract

The paper presents the modeling and simulation of the dual-axis tracking system of azimuthal type used for a photovoltaic (PV) platform. The study is approached in mechatronic concept, by integrating the mechanical device and the control system at the virtual prototype level, during the entire design process. The mechanical device model of the tracking mechanism is developed as multi-body system by using the MBS environment ADAMS, while the DFC EASY5 is used for modeling the control system. The key-word for design is the energetic efficiency of the azimuthally tracked PV platform, which is evaluated in different intervals during the year. Through the optimal design of the tracking mechanism and of the control system (the controller and the control law), we obtained good values for the energetic efficiency throughout the year (the average value is around 34%), which justify the viability - utility of the tracking system. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.