A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion. Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner.

A system and method for array level terrain based backtracking includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with a rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information, execute a shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker; collect an angle for each tracker in a plurality of trackers in an array; adjust the first angle based on executing the shadow model with the first angle and the plurality of angles associated with the plurality of trackers; transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the adjusted first angle.

A system is provided. The system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional information and a shadow model for determining placement of shadows based on positions of objects relative to the sun, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information for the tracker and at least one adjacent tracker, execute the shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker based on the executed shadow model, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first angle.

A rotating shadowband for shading a pyranometer includes a cylindrical ring and a semicircular shadowband held within the cylindrical ring, a motor configured for rotating the shadowband, at least one solar panel, a rechargeable battery, and a controller having circuitry configured to power the first motor to rotate the semicircular shadowband. The semicircular shadowband may include a window opening, wherein the window opening substantially extends from a center of the band to a first end. The controller rotates the shadowband 0 to 360 degrees about the central axis of the cylindrical ring to alternately shade the pyranometer for making diffuse radiation measurements and expose the pyranometer to direct solar radiation for making global radiation measurements. Alternatively, the shadowband may be solid and rotate pivotally 0 to 180 degrees or 0 to 360 degrees within the cylindrical ring to alternately shade and expose a pyranometer head to and from direct sunlight respectively.

The present disclosure disclosures a sensor and a control method of the sensor. The sensor may include a protective housing, an optical component, a control component, an interface component, and a circuit board mounted within the protective housing. The circuit board may include a plurality of detection components, including a photosensitive detection component and a tilt angle detection component. The control method of the sensor may include determining whether the photovoltaic module operates in an angle detection range of the photosensitive detection component, and determining whether an actuation condition of the photosensitive detection component is satisfied. In response to a determination that the actuation condition of the photosensitive detection component is satisfied, the photosensitive detection component may be actuated. In response to a determination that the actuation condition of the photosensitive detection component is not satisfied, the tilt angle detection component may be actuated.

A solar tracking system comprises multiple solar panel modules forming a grid of solar panel modules, wherein the multiple solar panel modules are movable relative to a solar source independently of each other; and a control system configured to orient each of the multiple solar panel modules to the solar source independently of each other based on a performance model to optimize an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules, wherein the performance model predicts an energy output from the grid of solar panel modules based on a topography of the area containing the grid of solar panel modules and weather conditions local to each of the solar panel modules.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a measuring device of zenith angle, which relates to the technical field of angle measurement and is used to measure solar zenith angle. A light receiving member includes solar panels, a support frame with a regular pyramid structure, and a first counterweight member. Light intensity processing circuits are electrically connected to the solar panels and determine a rotation angle of the support frame based on intensity of light received by each solar panel; a direction adjusting member is electrically connected to the light intensity processing circuits to adjust angles of the support frame in both vertical direction and horizontal direction. The embodiments of the present disclosure have a simple structure, and can avoid limitations on placement angles of the device, measure a zenith angle quickly and accurately, reduce measurement costs, and be made into a small-sized device to facilitate outdoor carrying.

A method for controlling the orientation of a single-axis solar tracker (1) orientable about an axis of rotation (A), said method repetitively completing successive control phases, where each control phase implements the following successive steps: a) observing the cloud coverage above the solar tracker (1); b) comparing the observed cloud coverage with cloud coverage models stored in a database, each cloud coverage model being associated to an orientation setpoint value of the solar tracker; c) matching the observed cloud coverage with a cloud coverage model; d) servo-controlling the orientation of the solar tracker by applying the orientation setpoint value associated to said cloud coverage model retained during step c). The present invention finds application in the field of solar trackers.

A system is provided. The system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional information and a shadow model for determining placement of shadows based on positions of objects relative to the sun, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information for the tracker and at least one adjacent tracker, execute the shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker based on the executed shadow model, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first angle.

A polyhedron device for sensing light rays and detecting incident directions of the light rays includes a polyhedron mounting seat. The polyhedron mounting seat includes a bottom surface, a top surface, and side surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is opposite to the top surface. The side surfaces, located between the top surface and the bottom surface and inclined to the bottom surface, face toward different directions. The side surfaces are respectively provided with first light sensors. The top surface is provided with at least one second light sensor. The specific design of the polyhedron mounting seat is provided to the sensor for detecting a light ray at a larger angle, thereby measuring the finer data.