The following diagram provides an overview of the various elements of a PV solar system:

PhotoVol-howitworks

The System

The unit consist of the solar modules placed in precise order on a fixed frame, attached to a pole mounted worm gear drive assembly and a linear axis elevation drive unit. The panels are wired to two 5 KW DC to AC inverters which are in turn connected to an output meter for power generation monitoring and onto the closest hydro pole. We propose to install on your farm an under 10 KW dual axis tracking array similar to the units pictured above.

The control system called DEGERconector will adjust the solar installation to face the brightest point in the sky to maximize power yield. The uniqueness of this control system is that during times of sunshine the module surface is accurately adjusted to face the sun. During times of overcast weather, the DEGERconecter automatically adjusts to face the point with the strongest global radiation. Two sensor cells in the DEGERconecter supply reference values which are evaluated by the logic device, and which provide the basis for the adjustments of the module surface in the course of the day. A third sensor cell is attached to the back of the DEGERconecter to reset the installation in the morning. Depending on the irradiation intensity, a differential amplifier controls the transition from the logarithmic characteristic curve during strong irradiation to a linear characteristic curve during low currents in diffuse light. That means that the logic device accepts a much higher value for the linear characteristic curve than for the logarithmic characteristic curve. This leads to improved adjustment accuracy in dim light. A load is added to the differential voltage, moving the switch-off threshold further into dusk, to ca. 30 W/m2. The patented DEGERconecter control was distinguished with the Baden-Württemberg Prize for Innovation in 2001, has been continuously improved and has more than 50,000 units in operation.

The DEGERconecter

  • No computer with high energy consumption required
  • No rotation angle potentiometer, relay, step motors required
  • No networking with data lines required
  • The automatic drive does not contain any electromechanical parts
  • Little cabling required for large solar parks, easy-to-use control technology
  • Bad weather is used efficiently
  • Contrary to traditional control systems only movements are performed, that lead directly to a yield increase