Modeling and simulation of the tracking mechanism for a PV string

This paper presents the modeling and simulation of a solar tracker. The PV system is a string of PV modules which simultaneously change their daily position, being actuated by a rotative actuator. The system is designed using a virtual prototyping platform: CAD software (SolidWorks) - for the solid model, MBS software (Adams/View) - for the dynamic model, and DFC software (Matlab/Simulink) & Adams/Controls - for the control system model. The control system comprises two controllers, for position and velocity, whose factors are determined through an parametric optimization process. The simulation was performed in mechatronic concept. The system was optimized so that it has a maximum gain of solar energy, but keeping at minimum the energy consumed during tracking.