A Closed Loop Controller Design Which Can Minimize the Wind Effects on a Parabolic Solar Tracker

In the present work, it was conducted a steady-state fluid analysis to obtain the aerodynamic coefficients of a Parabolic Solar Tracker (PST) for different azimuth and elevation angles. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) wind flow analysis technique was applied to model an extreme weather condition called North Wind (NW), which can severely affect the PST under operational conditions. The North Wind case simulated was validated using experimental data without bottom effects in order to verify the degree of approximation between the results obtained with CFD approach. The obtained aerodynamic coefficients were used to: (i) establish both analytical and numerical models for each PST degree of freedom for dynamic analysis and simulation purposes, (ii) design different closed loop controllers which can minimize the wind effects and (iii) to establish a correct dimensioning of the control actuators.