Development and validation of tilted one axis tracker for photovoltaic generator

• Grant number: 16/20804-5
• Support type: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: August 01, 2017 - April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal researcher: Vitor Della Déa Tavernari
• Grantee: Vitor Della Déa Tavernari
• Company: Politeconaco Industrial Ltda
• City: Araçariguama

Abstract

With the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the generation of electricity by photovoltaic systems has become a promising option for many countries to diversify its energy matrix. Brazil has achieved economic parity [1] in the photovoltaic generation after 2014. Until now, three auction for power reserve were performed to generate 2.87GW capacity [2].The POLITEC, with 30 years of experience in development and manufacture of metal structures, has knowledge, technology and infrastructure to develop products for the photovoltaic industry, having produced photovoltaic supporting structures for roofs, ground and parking lanes. Finding ways to maximize efficiency in energy production is a priority in this market. Solar tracker solutions have wide acceptance, however it is still a great challenge to manufacture a viable and appropriate structure for different locations, with different geographical and atmospheric features. The POLITEC believes it has an innovative, versatile and economically viable for both distributed generation and for the concentrated generation. In addition, we seek together FAPESP resources to carry out research and development of a solar tracker 1 axis with an inclination to maximize energy production for tropical latitudes, thus providing a product of appropriate characteristics to the energy demand of the Brazilian market. In addition to a more efficient product, the approach of the generation of the locality where that takes consumption reduces transmission costs and lead-time of power generation. The development comes down to perform tests of three prototypes of photovoltaic systems for validation of an energy performance predictor software. In addition to the test to check the system power generation itself, aerodynamic and structural experiments will be conducted to verify the loads acting on the structure boundaries and determine its critical operating condition, thus ensuring a more optimized structural design. With this set of experimental and development resulting solutions it is expected to demonstrate that the solar tracker with an inclined axis can compensate losses for latitude in respect of the same system that has no tilt, and determine in which region Brazil concept can be more efficient. It is expected that in regions with latitudes greater than 15 ° the concept is more competitive than solar follower of a horizontal shaft. The development of more efficient solutions like this can bring economic benefits to Brazil for energy generation, diversifying its energy sources and reducing the emission of petroleum gases. It also will bring knowledge and technology to leverage the domestic industry in various production and service sectors. (AU)