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2009
Conference Paper
Titel
Inverter-integrated motor control unit for two-axis (C)PV trackers: the tracking inverter
Abstract
The first important idea presented in this paper concerns the combination of a Photovoltaic (PV) gridfeeding inverter with a Motor Control Unit (MCU) for dual-axis Concentrating PV (CPV) solar trackers. This hybrid device, also called ""Tracking Inverter"", allows plenty of technical and financial advantages for large scale (C)PV power plants. Indeed, it facilitates the overall tracker control and is much more cost effective compared to conventional dual-device architectures. The second major idea presented in this paper is a new sun tracking method integrated in the Tracking Inverter. This revolutionary dual-axis tracker control is based on an algorithm which purpose consists in continuously maximizing the inverter power by optimizing the mechanical tracker position. Due to the evident analogy with the well-known electrical Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPTe), this new tracking method has been called mechanical Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPTm).