Abstract
This chapter deals with the fundamentals of photovoltaic (PV) systems. After a general overview of the related concepts, a Sun tracking strategy which provides small Sun tracking errors (needed by high-concentration solar arrays) is introduced. The algorithm consists of two tracking modes: a normal tracking mode, used whenever the Sun tracking error is small enough and the solar irradiance is great enough; and a search mode, which operates when the first of the above conditions is not fulfilled but there is sufficient solar radiation to produce a minimum amount of electric power. Energy saving factors have been taken into account in the tracking strategy design. Simulated and experimental results showing the benefits of the strategy, when errors in the estimation of the Sun’s position (such as variations in the time given by the auxiliary clock or lack of precision in the alignment of the mechanical structure with respect to geographical North), are included.
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Camacho, E.F., Berenguel, M., Rubio, F.R., Martínez, D. (2012). Photovoltaics. In: Control of Solar Energy Systems. Advances in Industrial Control. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-916-1_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-916-1_3
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