Monday 24 October 2016

The Best Motor for the Solar Tracking System

While it comes to pointing out electric motors for solar tracking applications, environmental protection is a major consideration because of their exposure to the factors. In solar tracking, you can throw in torrid heat, gale winds, hailstorms, blizzards and, for good estimation, include virtual lasting authenticity. Thus, designs of motors for solar power applications should stand up to high in temperature, highly corrosive salt sprays, wind loads, humidity and rough airborne particulate matter.
Use of motors with integral intelligence capacities becomes more essential, as solar power projects become bigger in scope. The motor types drive performance which now can be built into the motor can enable communication among motors over a network, thus, eliminating the cost of the entire system and the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). The types of motor utilised in solar power applications run the gamut.
  1. Stepper motors:
These are not costly but become difficult and lose some economic advantages when elements are included for operating in the closed-loop position control schemes which define solar tracking. These motors’ air gap is a size’s fraction of other types of motors and can cause rotor binding against the stator while there are high-temperature variations between several motor parts, as while the motor’s one side sees direct sunlight and the underside is then shaded. Basic speed range of the stepper motor is also limited on the high side to nearly 400rpm, which is not beneficial while stowing trackers fast when worst storms come nearer.
  1. AC induction motors:
These motors have been used in past Solar Tracking Systems as they can draw energy directly from the grid; however, it is hard to control AC motors at slow speeds required in most tracking applications. When induction motors turn on and off in a step function for tracking the sun, it doesn’t allow the most effective continuous collection and tracking of solar power.
  1. BLDC (Brushless DC) motors:
Although these motors are the widest application of today in tracking systems, they have a low TCO and are totally maintenance-free. This particular motor has no-prone brushes, is highly effective and hits nearly 3000rpm, a different benefit while a short stowing time is essential.
  1. PMDC (Permanent Magnet Brush DC) motors:
These motors are comparatively effective, easy-to-control and if correctly built, can last for long, in spite of the commutator or brush wear which is essential in their design. They also show a large speed range which is beneficial in stowing conditions.
Current growth:
In these day’s PV tracking arrays’ distributed control design, BLDC motors with embedded intelligence can be networked with disordered PLCs having Solar Tracking operation blocks.
Arising trends:
With superior level integral BLDC motor embedded intelligence, a BLDC motor can cater as main control for hosting and running programs during network interference like returning the tracker to a secure position in a power outage.
So, all the above-mentioned motors are the common types of electric motors which can be used in order to track sun power, i.e. solar tracking applications.

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