a novel open-source master-slave heliostat

A novel open-source master-slave heliostat array for use as an

experimental platform and solar power applicationsR. Evans, A. Sanchez Garcia

LEARS, CICESETUESDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2013

ISES SWC Cancun Mexico

DR. R. EVANS 2013

the solar challenge

• maximize aperture to sun

• minimize radiation loss to environment

• the sun moves

DR. R. EVANS 2013

• 30% increase with sun tracking

• more in the summer

• trackers cost more then 30% of a panel

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Mexico specific challenge• No local market –starting from nothing

• DIY, no loan economy

• Low adoption of foreign technologies

• parts and price

• Mini- µ-business economy: 10-200 kW

• Low formal education of end users DR. R. EVANS 2013

Open designOpen energyOpen energy

• Use open design

• Creative commons

• Master-slave design

• Built from locally accesible components

• Hybrid tracking system (active-absolute)DR. R. EVANS 2013

Master slave heliostat arrayOne heliostat to control them all… DR. R. EVANS 2013

DR. R. EVANS 2013

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Bowden Tubes

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Heliostat system, Amo with cross-hair, optical sensor and photovoltaic cells, Slave with giant fresnel lens

DR. R. EVANS 2013

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Suntargetmirror?

DR. R. EVANS 2013

DR. R. EVANS 2013

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Suntarget mirror?

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Suntarget mirror

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Sun

target mirror?

Control systemOptical sensor, solid-state relay, change system, micro

controller

encoder 1

encoder 2

DR. R. EVANS 2013

Optical sensorVoltage divider with photo-resistors DR. R. EVANS 2013

Solid state relaylow power consumption DR. R. EVANS 2013

Sensor responseorthononality DR. R. EVANS 2013

Nonlinearity fixedunbalanced resistance: adding variable resistor may fix

problem. DR. R. EVANS 2013

DR. R. EVANS 2013

References[1] S.A.Kalogirou, Solar Energy Engineering, processes and systems, 1st Edition, Elsevier Inc.,San Diego, USA, 2009.[2]   G. M. noz Meléndez, E. Díaz-Gonza`lez, H. E. Cambell-Ramírez, M. Q.-N. nez, Baja california: Perfil energético 2010-2020, Tech. rep., Comision Estatal de energ` a de Baja ıCalifornia, Avenida Pioneros 1060 Col. Centro Civico C.P. 21000, Mexicali, Baja California (2012). [3]   C.Commons.Atribució n-licenciamiento recíproco 2.5 (méxico)[online](072013)[cited30-06-2013]. [4]   C.Commons.Attribution-sharealike3.0unitedstates[online](072013)[cited30-06-2013]. [5]   Arduino homepage [online] (072013) [cited30-06-2013]. [6]   R.Evans. Github share of heli-stato-amo-esclavo [online] (062013) [cited30-06-2013].

–Rodger Evansrevans@cicese.mx

Thank youGraciasMerci

DR. R. EVANS 2013