US 11,942,893 B2
Systems and methods for split-cell and multi-panel photovoltaic tracking control
Fei Gu, Fremont, CA (US); Yang Liu, Mountain View, CA (US); Venkata Rahul Abbaraju, Fremont, CA (US); and Eric Martinez, Palo Alto, CA (US)
Assigned to NEXTRACKER LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed by Nextracker LLC, Fremont, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/805,798.
Prior Publication US 2021/0273602 A1, Sep. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. H02S 20/32 (2014.01); G05D 3/10 (2006.01)
CPC H02S 20/32 (2014.12) [G05D 3/105 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling a single-axis solar tracker comprising:
determining a sun elevation angle;
determining a single-cell or single panel solar array backtracking angle based on the sun elevation angle;
determining a split-cell or multi-panel solar array backtracking angle based on the sun elevation angle;
determining a first relative light transmission (RLT) based on the single-cell or single panel solar array backtracking angle;
determining a second RLT based on the split-cell or multi-panel solar array backtracking angle;
determining that the first RLT and the second RLT satisfy a predetermined relationship; and
in response to determining that the first RLT and the second RLT satisfy the predetermined relationship, controlling the single-axis solar tracker to rotate the solar array to the split-cell or multi-panel solar array backtracking angle.