A New Sensor for Measuring Tracking Accuracy, Tracker Vibration, and Structural Deflection.pdfVIP

Presented at the 8th International Conference on Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems (CPV-8), April 16-18, 2012, Toledo, Spain A New Sensor for Measuring Tracking Accuracy, Tracker Vibration, and Structural Deflection T. Missbach and J. Jaus Black Photon Instruments GmbH, Emmy-Noether-Str. 2, 79110 Freiburg, Germany Corresponding author: tm@black-photon.de Abstract. In this paper we describe the development and measurement results of a high accuracy sensor which is able to examine the precision of tracking systems in relation to the sun. Such trackers are used in many concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) applications. Tracker accuracy measurements are particularly useful for tracker and module development and power plant monitoring. Using an LED light source, the repeatability of the sensor at different temperature and irradiation levels has been examined. Based on outdoor measurements using a tracking system, a tracking accuracy measurement application is demonstrated and completed by a vibration analysis. Keywords: Solar concentrator, photovoltaics, tracking accuracy, CPV, tracker vibration, measurement PACS: 95.55.Ev INTRODUCTION To measure the basic properties of the sensor such as noise and stability under changing Trackers are used to follow the apparent temperature and irradiation conditions, an indoor movement of the sun in many concentrator light source has been constructed. The geometry of photovoltaic (CPV) applications. In a CPV system, a the light source and the distance to the sensor