THE VIRTUAL PROTOTYPE OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM WITH SOLAR TRACKER

This paper presents researches on increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic modules (which convert the solar radiation in electricity) by designing a mechatronic solar tracker. The main task in optimizing the tracking system is to maximize the energetic gain by increasing the solar input, and minimizing the energy consumption for tracking. The design is made by developing the virtual prototype of the tracking system, which is a complex dynamical model composed by the multi-body mechanical model connected with the dynamic model of the actuators (including the controller). The design of the controller, which is a first order lag (low-pass filter), is performed by parametric technique, using a Monte-Carlo analysis. The virtual prototype of the tracking system is developed using commercial software solutions: MBS (Multi-Body Systems) ADAMS - for designing the mechanical structure of the solar tracker, and DFC (Design for Control) EASY5 - for designing the control system.