The paper deals with the dynamic optimization of the mechanical device for a mono-axial sun tracking system, with application for photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems, which convert the solar radiation in electrical or respectively thermal energy. The actuating of the mono-axial tracking mechanism is carried out by using a linear actuator, the optimization study intending to determine the optimal configuration of the mechanism with the aim to minimize the motor force developed by actuator in order to perform the imposed step-by-step tracking algorithm (motion law). The design variables in the optimal design process are represented by the global coordinates of the connection points of the linear actuator to the adjacent parts (the solar panel and the fixed support). The optimization study is conducted in virtual prototyping environment.
Optimizing the mechanical device of a mono-axial sun tracking mechanism
