WO2017105171A1

WO2017105171A1 - System and method for the orientation of solar panels

Info

Publication number: WO2017105171A1
Application number: PCT/MX2015/000176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Gustavo Vazquez Palma
Original assignee: Martin Gustavo Vazquez Palma
Priority date: 2015-12-14
Filing date: 2015-12-14
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and a method for installing solar panels, consisting of an adjustable supporting structure for the panel, the solar panel, a mobile data device comprising an accelerometer, a magnetometer and a GPS receiver, and a support for a mobile device which is installed on the solar panel, where the mobile data device carries out a routine that obtains the current latitude and uses same to calculate the correct angle for maximising the average production of electricity per year or per season, indicating the movements of the panel, starting with orientation and followed by inclination. The aim of the invention is to provide a tool for the installation of solar panels which allows the installation to be carried out correctly, easily and simply with an intuitive system that does not require a technical speciality for the implementation thereof.

Description

SOLAR PANEL ORIENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of the present invention is electrical and mechanical, since it is a system and method that helps the solar panel installer obtain the recommended orientation for its geographical location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The installation of solar panels is an activity that is becoming increasingly frequent given the availability of products that facilitate its use and installation that does not involve much complexity. There is a diversity of mechanisms for fixing and accommodating solar panels either individually or in blocks for roofs of any inclination and surface materials as well as for installation at ground level. However, the issue of how to orient the panel is something that has not been completely covered. There are self-guidance systems that consist of very high-cost automated mechanisms that make their small-scale use unfeasible. The patent with registration number DE102007029063A1 entitled "Solar module eg solar mover, misalignment correcting method, involves optimally positioning solar panel ie solar mover, according to position of sun by controller, and continuously measuring charging current of solar panel" tells about a system proposal solar panel orientation with a position compensation mechanism, using a solar light sensor and the global GPS positioning system and a positioning control system. The present invention proposes a fixed or semi-fixed solar panel Orientation System and method during its installation to obtain the maximum annual average solar radiation or by seasons. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The characteristic details of this novel System and Method of Orientation of Solar Panels, are clearly shown in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, following the same reference signs to indicate the parts and figures shown.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure 1 is a view of the solar panel mounted on the support structure

Figure 2 is a view of the support for mobile data device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to these figures, the Solar Panel Orientation System is composed of:

1. Support for mobile data device.

2. Mobile data device

3. Solar panel

4. Support structure.

5. Installation surface

6. Screen

7. Butterfly screws

8. Adjustable legs

The operation of the Solar Panel Orientation System consists in fixing one end of the support structure (4) to the surface (5) where it is required to install to act as a pivot, then fix the solar panel (3) in said structure support (4), then fasten the mobile data device (2) to the solar panel (3) taking care that it remains motionless, then execute the orientation routine on the mobile data device (2) that will first indicate on its screen (6) where the structure should rotate with the panel using as a pivot the part of the support structure (4) that is already fixed to the installation surface (5), while the support structure is rotated with the solar panel (3) installed and with the mobile data device (2) attached to it the application will indicate when it has already reached the correct turning point by means of an audible alarm and changing colored your screen (6); then the end of the missing support structure (4) must be fixed to the installation surface (5); the routine running on the mobile data device (2) will indicate on its screen (6) which end of the solar panel (3) should be lifted to tilt it, that in the case of installation in the northern hemisphere it will be the north side of the panel that should be lifted and vice versa in the southern hemisphere, when tilting, the mobile data device (2) will indicate with an audible alarm and with its screen (6) when it has reached the correct angle, at that point the installer you must fix the support structure (4) so that it stays at that inclination using the thumb screws (7) included in its adjustable legs (8).

The Solar Panel Orientation Method is defined by the following routine executed by the mobile data device (2) said device internally incorporates an accelerometer, a magnetometer and a receiver of the global positioning system (GPS):

1. The installer places the mobile device holder (1) on the solar panel (3) according to the position required to orient the panel: Long or wide in the N-S direction.

2. The mobile data device activates its receiver of the global positioning system (GPS) and obtains the coordinates where it is located.

3. Based on the latitude obtained in step 1, the angle of inclination of the solar panel is calculated.

4. The accelerometer reading is obtained to define the inclination angle of the mobile data device (2)

5. The magnetometer reading is obtained to define the current orientation of the mobile device (2).

6. A graph of the correct orientation of the solar panel (3) N-S or E-0 according to point 1 is indicated on the screen (6).

7. The mobile data device (2) updates the indication of the correct orientation on the screen (6)

8. Repeat from step 4 until the orientation angle reading coincides with the N-S or E-0 axis (according to the desired arrangement of point 1).

9. Issues audible and visible alarm of correct orientation. 10. Based on the latitude obtained, select the side of the panel to be raised to tilt it.

11. It shows on the screen (6) which side should be raised to tilt it.

12. The accelerometer reading is obtained to determine the inclination of the panel.

13. Repeat from step 11 until the angle obtained from the accelerometer matches the angle obtained in step 3 for the current latitude.

14. Issues an audible and visible alarm of correct tilt angle.

Claims

CLAIMS Having sufficiently described my invention, I consider as a novelty and therefore claim as my exclusive property, what is contained in the following clauses:

1. A Solar Panels Orientation System and Method characterized in that it is composed of

to. Support for mobile data device.

b. Mobile data device

C. Solar panel

d. Support structure.

and. Installation surface

F. screen

g. Butterfly screws

h. Adjustable legs

2. A Solar Panel Orientation System and Method as in claim 1, characterized in that it consists of fixing one end of the support structure to the installation surface where it is required to be placed to act as a pivot, then fix the solar panel in said support structure, holding the mobile data device to the solar panel taking care that it remains motionless, because when executing the orientation routine in the mobile data device it will first indicate on its screen where the installer should rotate the structure with the panel using as pivot the part of the support structure that is already fixed to the installation surface;

3. A Solar Panel Orientation System and Method as in claim 2, characterized in that while the support structure is rotated with the solar panel installed and with the mobile data device attached to it, the executed routine will indicate when it has already reached the correct turning point through an audible alarm and changing its screen color; because the end of the support structure not yet fixed must be fixed to the installation surface.

4. A Solar Panels Orientation System and Method as in claim 2 characterized in that the routine is executed in the device of mobile data will indicate on its screen which end of the solar panel should be raised to tilt it, because when tilting, the mobile data device will indicate with an audible alarm and with its screen when it has reached the correct angle, because at that point the installer must fix the support structure so that it stays at that inclination using the thumb screws included in its adjustable legs.

5. A Solar Panel Orientation Method characterized in that it is defined by the following routine executed by the mobile data device where said device internally incorporates an accelerometer, a magnetometer and a receiver of the global positioning system (GPS):

A) The installer places the mobile device holder on the solar panel according to the position required to orient the panel: Along or in the N-S direction.

B) The mobile data device activates its receiver of the global positioning system (GPS) and obtains the coordinates where it is located.

C) Based on the latitude obtained in step 1, the inclination angle of the solar panel is calculated.

D) The accelerometer reading is obtained to define the inclination angle of the mobile data device.

E) The magnetometer reading is obtained to define the current orientation of the mobile device.

F) A graph of the correct orientation of the N-S or E-0 solar panel according to point (A) is indicated on the screen.

G) The mobile data device updates the indication of the correct orientation on the screen

H) Repeat from step (D) until the orientation angle reading coincides with the N-S or E-0 axis (according to the desired arrangement of point A).

I) Issues audible and visible alarm of correct orientation.

J) Based on the latitude obtained, select the side of the panel to be raised to tilt it.

K) It shows on the screen which side should be raised to tilt it. L) The accelerometer reading is obtained to determine the inclination of the panel.

M) Repeats from step (K) until the angle obtained from the accelerometer coincides with the angle obtained in step (C) for the current latitude.

N) Issues an audible and visible alarm of correct tilt angle.

6. A method like the one described in point 5 characterized in that the installer can choose whether the orientation of the panel will be fixed so that the method will obtain the angle of inclination of the panel for a maximized annual average solar incidence.

7. A method like the one described in point 5 characterized in that the installer can choose whether the orientation of the panel will be semi-fixed where the routine will ask if it will be monthly or by seasons, and will generate the indications for the most appropriate angle for the month or month. Current station as your choice has been.