Digital model of hydraulic drive for solar tracker rotary control

An important area in the field of solar energy is considered, focusing on the use of a hydraulic drive in high-power solar trackers. In the context of the relevance of environmental problems and the commitment to energy efficiency, the role of solar trackers in increasing the productivity of solar power plants is investigated. An analysis of current trends in the field of hydraulic drive is presented, highlighting the prospects for its application. The analysis of the directions of improvement of the drives of the solar tracker is carried out. The hydraulic drive of the tracker is considered as an object of regulation. Disturbing loads of various types acting in the process of changing the position of the tracker are determined. The main load acting on the tracker drive is positional, caused by the gas–dynamic effect of the wind flow impinging on the tracker plane or the ambiguity of the behavior of the snow and ice cover. It is determined that the inertial load, when turning a high-power tracker, has a significant effect on the friction forces in the attachment points of the hinge support mechanisms. Options for the implementation of new circuit solutions for the tracker hydraulic drive are considered. Using information from sensors of movement of the rods of hydraulic motors of the tracker position drive, the sun position sensor, the control electronic module positions the solar tracker platform by supplying control signals to the electric hydraulic distributors of the drive. The hydromechanical regulators of the pump adjust the characteristics of the system to a random change in external loads on the tracker. A mathematical model of the hydraulic drive of the basic circuit tracker has been developed. The digital model of the tracker drive is designed to optimize the operation of the hydraulic drive, taking into account various factors such as inertia, viscous damping, hydraulic losses, system nonlinearities, thermal losses, elasticity of elements and the impact of external factors. The results obtained emphasize the efficiency and accuracy of the control system, making the hydraulic drive an important element in the development of clean and efficient energy.

1. Solar Tracking Techniques and Implementation in Photovoltaic Power Plants: a Review. Fazli A. Khalil, Muhammad Asif, Shahzad Anwar, Sana ul Haq, and Farman Illahi. Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: Pakistan Academy of Sciences A. Physical and Computational Sciences 2021; 54 (3): 231 – 241.

2. Two Ways of Rotating Freedom Solar Tracker by Using ADC of Microcontroller. Sobuj Kumar Ray, Abul Bashar, Maruf Ahmad, Fahad Bin Sayed Global Journal of Researches in Engineering General Engineering 2022; 12 (4): 105 – 111.

3. Tiberiu Tudorache, Liviu Kreindler. Design of a Solar Tracker System for PV Power Plants. Acta Polytechnica Hungarica 2020; 7 (1): 65 – 75.

4. Mayank Kumar Lokhande Automatic Solar Tracking System. International Journal Of Core Engineering & Management (IJCEM), 2021; 1 (7): 95 – 101.

5. Nemaltsev A. Yu., Baikasenov D. K. Foreign experience in the use of photovoltaic installations with solar trackers. Step into science 2018; 1: 160 – 162. (In Russ.)

6. Lee C. Y., P. Chou, C. Chiang, & C. F. Lin. Sun tracking systems: a review. Sensors 2023; 9 (5): 3875 – 3890.

7. Clifford M. J., & D. Eastwood. Design of a novel passive solar tracker. Solar Energy 2022; 77 (3): 269 – 280.

8. C. Alexandru. Modelling and Simulation of a Hydraulically Operated Solar Tracker Scientific portal «Researchgate». International Conference on Renewable Energies and Power Quality (ICREPQ’23), Madrid (Spain) 2023: 24 – 32.

9. Petrov P. V., Tselishchev V. A. Fundamentals of computer-aided design of hydro-mechanical devices of UGATU. UN-T. – Ufa: RICK UGATU 2019: 241. (In Russ.)

10. Pat. 22769457 Russian Federation, IPC H02S 20/32. Hydraulic device of a solar tracker / Tselishchev V. A., Shaidakov V. V., Koroleva D. A.; applicant and patent holder federal state. Budgetary institution of higher education of UGATU; application. 06/15/2021; publ. 03/31/2022, bul. No. 10. – 6 p. (In Russ.)

11. Pat. 2803919 Russian Federation, IPC H02S 20/32 (2014.01). Adjustable hydraulic device of the solar tracker / Tselishchev V. A., Shaidakov V. V., Koroleva D. A.; applicant and patent holder Federal state. Budgetary institution of higher education UNIT; application. 03/16/2023; publ. 09/21/2023, bul. No. 27. – 6 p. (In Russ.)

12. Konstantinov S. Yu., Tselischev V. A., Tselischev D. V. Automated Rig for Diagnostics and Testing of Hydraulic Equipment, Automation and Remote Control 2019; 80 (2): 385 – 391.