How to exploit sunlight toward maximum energy yield?

Siemens solar tracking control is the universal solution to maximize the suns power from PV and CSP to CPV. Answers for industry.

 Ausra, Inc.

Photovoltaic

Parabolic trough

Linear Fresnel

The universal solution for solar tracking applications ...

A solar tracking system controls double axis movements azimuth and zenith of Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plants. The panels or mirrors are pointed directly towards the suns radiation in order to maximize exploitation of the sunlight and to ensure exact alignment of the receiver and the angle of the sun. Thanks to these movements, the tracker system contributes to an increase of electricity production by more than 30% in celland thin film-based technologies. For Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) and CSP a precise tracking control system is the unconditional prerequisite for the production of stable and efficient electrical power.

Dish engine

Power tower

Concentrated photovoltaic

... from Siemens.

The universal tracking control system by Siemens fits each application in solar from low-end PV single-axis movements to high-end CPV doubleaxis movements. Each single-unit solar tracker is perfectly controlled by a SIMATIC S7-1200 controller. The precise adjustment of azimuth and zenith axes occurs based on the astronomical algorithm with 64-bit arithmetic accuracy which precisely secures the requirements of even CPV systems. The central PC-based HMI allows to monitor and control the actual status of each solar tracker unit via Ethernet connection.

The Solar Positioning Algorithm used in the Siemens tracking control software is based on SPA software developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL, for the U.S. Department of Energy, DOE1). This algorithm is specified with leading edge accuracy of +/ 0.0003. The Siemens control software converts this algorithm into a resolution of +/ 0.002. This allows an accuracy of better than +/ 0.05 including mechanical tolerances if high precision gears from Siemens are used.
Solar Vector

N E Actual Azimuth position Actual Zenith position

... EN "SPA_DATA". Longitude "SPA_DATA". Latitude "SPA_DATA". Pressure "SPA_DATA". Temperature "SPA_DATA". Elevation "SPA_DATA". Delta_t "SPA_DATA". Atmos_Reflect

% DB101 "SPA_Calc_SunVector_DB" % FB101 "SPA_Calc_SunVector_DB"

Longitude

Latitude

Pressure

Temperature

Elevation Azimuth Delta_t Zenith Atmos_Reflect ENO "SPA_DATA". Zenith "SPA_DATA". Azimuth

1)

Neither NREL nor the DOE endorse SIMATIC.

7

Controls

Gear drives

Communication

Modular groups of primary products

SIMATIC S7-1200 controller

Gear drives

Communication

The new dimension in compact automation The compact controller SIMATIC S7-1200 SIMATIC HMI with integrated engineering system SIMATIC STEP 7 Basic High flexibility for smart solutions with scalable hardware Fast engineering for programming and commissioning Accurate positioning thanks to 64-bit resolution

Tested with Siemens gear drives for solar tracking Cycle testing Long-term precision Save position References position Tested with different motors System recovery

Simple networking between engineering, HMI panels and controllers with all tracking units SIMATIC S7-1200 supports TCP/IP native, ISO on TCP, as well as SIMATIC S7 communication SCALANCE is the wide-range Ethernet network for field applications Remote control interface/access Easy integration into a DCS system of the power plant, e.g. SIMATIC PCS 7 Extendable during field operation Networking of mixed power plants

Universal solar tracking contr

L1 N

L1 L2 L3

CPU 1214C

Reference switch Induction motor

CPU 1214C

Power supply 24V DC

SIRIUS 3RF2

Ethernet

Control & referencing

Ethernet

Control & ref

Longitude Latitude

Positioning Control Azimuth

PWM + Control

DC motor

Longitude Latitude

Positioni

Pulses

Contro

Solar Position Pressure Algorithm (SPA) Temperature

Elevation Atmospheric refraction

UTC

Positioning Control Zenith

Solar Position Pressure Algorithm Temperature (SPA)

PWM + Control DC motor Elevation Atmospheric refraction

UTC

Azimuth

Positioni

Contro

Pulses NTP

Zenith

Control Center

Control Status

Central station

Control Center

rol based on SIMATIC S7-1200

L1 N

Reference switch Induction motor

CPU 1214C

Reference switch Induction motor

SINAMICS G110

ferencing

Ethernet

Control & referencing

ng l

DO fwd DO rev

Induction motor

Longitude Latitude

Positioning Control Azimuth

DO f1 DO f2 DO dir

Induction motor

Pulses

Pulses

ng l

DO fwd DO rev

Induction motor

Solar Position Pressure Algorithm (SPA) Temperature

UTC Elevation Atmospheric refraction

Positioning Control Zenith

DO f1 DO f2 DO dir

Induction motor

Pulses NTP Control

Pulses NTP

Central station Status

Control Center

Control Central station Status

Cockpit steering

Single-unit application

Field-wide application

CPV solar tracker control software

Highlights

Features

Applications

Universal tool for all solar applications Open system for different motors

Manual mode Jog mode (forward, reverse) Teach mode

Scalable tracking for small, medium and large-scale power plants Integrated into the plant-wide control system Complete solution for ramp up, recovery, operation, services, maintenance Reaction to critical weather conditions

Minimal energy consumption Secured control principles Synchronize azimuth and zenith position with the solar vector Teaching reference point switch Auto mode Follow the sun Auto referencing during night time Move to stow position in case of an emergency Move to safe position after sunset

Get more information

solar.industry.automation@siemens.com

Siemens AG Industry Sector Solar Siemensallee 84 76187 KARLSRUHE GERMANY www.siemens.com/solar-industry

Subject to change without prior notice Order No.: E20001-A100-T112-X-7600 DISPO 27903 W/23782 GC.GC.93.YSOL.52.0.01 WS 1109X. Printed in Germany Siemens AG 2009

The information provided in this brochure contains merely general descriptions or characteristics of performance which in actual case of use do not always apply as described or which may change as a result of further development of the products. An obligation to provide the respective characteristics shall only exist if expressly agreed in the terms of contract. All product designations may be trademarks or product names of Siemens AG or supplier companies whose use by third parties for their own purposes could violate the rights of the owners.