Solar Energy Substrate Aerodynamic Flaps

Abstract

Methods and systems for solar energy capture. One of the systems includes a solar energy substrate mounted on a support member and one or more flap assemblies coupled to the solar energy substrate. The solar energy substrate is configured to receive solar rays from the Sun and is further configured to move in at least one direction such that an orientation of the solar energy substrate can be adjusted in accordance with a direction of the solar rays. The support member is configured to support the solar energy substrate. The one or more flap assemblies each include a flap and an actuator that is configured to move the flap relative to the solar energy substrate. Movement of the flap is controllable to counter a wind-induced moment acting on the solar energy substrate.

1 . A solar energy system comprising:
 a solar energy substrate mounted on a support member and configured to receive solar rays from the Sun and configured to move in at least one direction such that an orientation of the solar energy substrate can be adjusted in accordance with a direction of the solar rays;   the support member configured to support the solar energy substrate; and   one or more flap assemblies coupled to the solar energy substrate, wherein each flap assembly includes a flap and an actuator that is configured to move the flap relative to the solar energy substrate and movement of the flap is controllable to counter a wind-induced moment acting on the solar energy substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a control system configured to:
 receive information that indicates the wind-induced moment is acting on the solar energy substrate; and 
 control movement of the one or more flaps to reduce the wind-induced moment. 
   
     
     
         3 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar energy substrate comprises a heliostat mirror configured to reflect the received solar rays toward a solar energy collector. 
     
     
         4 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar energy substrate comprises a photovoltaic panel. 
     
     
         5 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar energy substrate comprises a unitary member. 
     
     
         6 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the solar energy substrate comprises two or more members. 
     
     
         7 . The solar energy system of  claim 6 , wherein orientations of the two or more members are independently adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more flaps of the one or more flap assemblies are connected to one or more edge regions of the solar energy substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The solar energy system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each flap of the one or more flap assemblies is connected to an edge region of the solar energy substrate and is positioned at an angle relative to a first plane that is different than an angle of the solar energy member relative to the first plane; and   the angle of the flap relative to the first plane is determined based on a strength of the wind-induced moment acting on the solar energy substrate.   
     
     
         10 . The solar energy system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 each flap is connected to the edge region with a hinge that provides pivotal movement of the flap relative to the solar energy substrate; and   each actuator of the one or more flap assemblies comprises a linear actuator coupled at a first end to the solar energy member and at a second end to the flap and is configured to change the angle of the flap relative to the first plane.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 (a) detecting that a wind-induced moment is acting on a solar energy substrate mounted to a support structure, wherein the solar energy substrate is positioned at a particular time in a desired position relative to a position of the Sun at the particular time and in the desired position the solar energy substrate is at an angle α relative to a first plane;   (b) in response to detecting the wind-induced moment, adjusting a position of a flap coupled to an edge region of the solar energy substrate including adjusting an angle Θ of the flap relative to the first plane, wherein the angle Θ is different than the angle α; and   (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the detected wind-induced moment is reduced to a strength that is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting that a wind-induced moment is acting on the solar energy substrate comprises detecting at least one of voltage or current in one or more motors configured to adjust a position of the solar energy substrate and operating at the particular time to counter the wind-induced moment and maintain the solar energy substrate in the desired position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting that a wind-induced moment is acting on the solar energy substrate comprises detecting tension exceeding a threshold value in one or more cables configured to adjust a position of the solar energy substrate and operating at the particular time to counter the wind-induced moment and maintain the solar energy substrate in the desired position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein adjusting the position of the flap comprises operating a linear actuator to extend or retract a linear member that is coupled to the flap at a first end and to the solar energy substrate at a second end to adjust the angle Θ of the flap relative to the first plane. 
     
     
         15 . A solar energy system comprising:
 a solar energy substrate mounted on a support member and configured to receive solar rays from the Sun and configured to move in at least one direction such that an orientation of the solar energy substrate can be adjusted in accordance with a direction of the solar rays;   the support member configured to support the solar energy substrate; and   one or more flap assemblies coupled to the solar energy substrate, wherein each flap assembly includes a flap and an actuator that is configured to move the flap relative to the solar energy substrate and movement of the flap is controllable to control movement of the solar energy substrate.   
     
     
         16 . The solar energy system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a control system configured to:
 receive information that indicates that the solar energy substrate is oscillating; and 
 control movement of the one or more flaps to reduce oscillation of the solar energy substrate. 
   
     
     
         17 . The solar energy system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a control system configured to:
 receive information that indicates that a wind-induced moment is acting on the solar energy substrate; and 
 control movement of the one or more flaps to reduce the wind-induced moment. 
   
     
     
         18 . The solar energy system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a control system configured to:
 receive information that indicates that a wind load is acting on the solar energy substrate; and 
 control movement of the one or more flaps to adjust a position of the solar energy substrate using the wind load.