Abstract:
An optical concentrator is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.
Abstract:
Adherence to flux or resultant measurable parameter limits, ranges, or patterns can be achieved by directing heliostat mounted mirrors to focus on aiming points designated on the surface of a solar receiver. Different heliostats can be directed to different aiming points, and a heliostat can be directed to different aiming points at different times. The cumulative flux distribution resulting from directing a plurality of heliostats to any aiming point on a receiver surface can be predicted by using statistical methods to calculate the expected beam projection for each individual heliostat or alternatively for a group of heliostats. Control of the heliostats in a solar power system can include designating aiming points on a receiver from time to time and assigning heliostats to aiming points from time to time in accordance with an optimization goal.
Abstract:
A control system or controller solar module array may be operated by (i) programmatically determining, for a given time period, a demand for an output of the solar module array by one or more energy consuming resources at the target location; and (ii) affecting an efficiency of the solar module array based at least in part on the determined demand.
Abstract:
A Solar Access Measurement Device ("SAMD") located at a predetermined position is disclosed. The SAMD may include a skyline detector enabled to detect a skyline of a horizon relative to the SAMD5 an orientation determination unit enabled to determine the orientation of the skyline detector, and a processor in signal communication with the skyline detector and orientation determination unit.
Abstract:
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur konstruktiven Auslegung von Solaranlagen, umfassend eine Datenbank mit einer parametrisierten Anzahl von Komponenten zur Erstellung der Anlage einschliesslich Angaben zum Hersteller, zur Verfügbarkeit und zum Preis, weiterhin umfassend Angaben zur geographisch-solaren Deckungsrate sowie typspezifische Instruktionen zum Einbau und zur Anlagenmontage. Erfindungsgemäss wird webbasiert nach Authentifikation eine Produktauswahlliste angeboten, wobei nach Abfrage kundenspezifischer Angaben mindestens zum Einsatzzweck und der geographischen Lage einschliesslich Azimut und Elevation aufzustellender Solarkollektoren unter Beachtung der aus der Datenbank ermittelten jeweiligen solaren Deckungsrate eine Referenzanlage berechnet wird. Die Berechnung erfolgt auf der Basis der Komponenten eines Herstellers oder mehrerer, von einem Anbieter zusammengefasster Hersteller. Wiederum webbasiert wird die Referenzanlage mit ihren Komponenten und Eigenschaften mittels Personal-Computer dargestellt, wobei aus der Berechnung dem Kunden Modifikationsmöglichkeiten optisch zur wahlweisen Selektion dargeboten werden. Der Kunde erhält nach Entscheidung über die jeweilige Anlagenkonfiguration online eine konkretisierte Stückliste. Nach Abfrage der erwarteten Montagezeiten und/oder des Installationsaufwands sowie weiterer, individuell nutzbarer Kalkulationsgrössen wird eine Angebotsdokumentation in downloadbarer Form erzeugt, wobei die Angebotsdokumentation in einer vorzugsweise getrennten Datei die individuellen technischen Anlagenparameter und das Anlagen- und/oder Montageschema für den Einbau vor Ort umfasst.
Abstract:
A photovoltaic energy system includes a photovoltaic field configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy, one or more solar intensity sensors configured to measure solar intensity and detect a cloud approaching the photovoltaic field, and a controller. The controller receives input from the solar intensity sensors and predicts a change in solar intensity within the photovoltaic field before the change in solar intensity within the photovoltaic field occurs. The controller is configured to preemptively adjust an electric power output of the photovoltaic energy system in response to predicting the change in solar intensity within the photovoltaic field.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a solar energy collection apparatus and design method. In particular, the invention provides a solar energy collection apparatus incorporating one or more reflectors and a solar collector for receiving incoming solar radiation, including reflected radiation from the one or more reflectors, wherein the one or more reflectors and the collector are oriented according to a pre-calculated offset length and offset angle based at least on the latitude of the apparatus. The invention further provides a computer-implemented method of designing a solar collection apparatus including determining the optimal offset length and offset angle between the one or more reflectors and the collector for a given latitude and other inputs.
Abstract:
A configuration engine traverses sequential levels of a decision tree in order to iteratively refine a configuration for a solar power system. At each level of the decision tree, the configuration engine determines the outcome of a design decision based on computing the result of a value function. The configuration engine explores configurations that optimize the value function result compared to other configurations, and may also discard less optimal configurations. When a current configuration is considered less optimal than a previous configuration generated at a previous level, the configuration engine discards the current configuration and re-traverses the decision tree starting with the previous configuration.
Abstract:
Système de mesure du flux solaire incident d'un récepteur plan de centrale solaire comportant au moins une jauge (4) de flux utilisant un effet thermique et au moins deux cellules photovoltaïques (2), et des moyens (8) de traitement des mesures et correction des mesures effectuées par les cellules (2) en fonction des mesures effectuées par la jauge (4), ladite jauge (4) et lesdites cellules (2) étant disposées le long d'au moins un premier axe (Y) et la jauge (2) étant disposée à proximité de l'une des cellules (20) de sorte que la jauge et ladite cellule soit soumise sensiblement au même flux solaire incident.
Abstract:
A system and method for modeling resource availability includes a data collection system including one or more data collection devices configured to collect and collecting information pertaining to resource availability in a geographic region, and a modeling system, coupled to the data collection system, including one or more computing devices configured to process and processing the collected information to generate data that identifies one or more development sites specific to the geographic region, based on resource availability and add-on information specific to the geographic region.