Abstract—The article deals the design and simulation of the mechatronic tracking systems that can be used for increasing the energy efficiency (i.e. the energy output) of the photovoltaic modules, by improving the capture rate of the incident solar radiation (which is normal to the module surface). Firstly, the classification of the solar tracking mechanism is performed by considering several criteria, such as the number of degrees of freedom, the working mode, the number of modules and their layout. Secondly, the design (analysis and optimization) algorithm is depicted by using three specific mechanical models: kinematic, dynamic, and inverse dynamic. Finally, a case study is developed, by considering the bi-axial tracking system used for a photovoltaic platform, whose behavior is simulated in a virtual prototyping environment.
Index Terms—Photovoltaic module, tracking mechanism, mechatronic system, simulation.
C. Alexandru is with the Product Design, Mechatronics and Environment Department, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500036 Braşov, Romania (e-mail: calex@unitbv.ro).
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Cite: Cătălin Alexandru, "Design of the Mechatronic Systems Used for Improving the Efficiency of the Solar Energy Conversion Devices," International Journal of Modeling and Optimization vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 254-258, 2019.
