Patent ID: 9184311
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: G01W,H01L,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A cloud tracking system for a photovoltaic power plant comprising: a plurality of cloud shadow sensors arranged in at least two concentric rings called the outer detection perimeter and the inner detection perimeter positioned around the photovoltaic power plant, wherein the distance of the inner detection perimeter from the photovoltaic power plant is determined based at least in part on a rated capacity of the photovoltaic power plant, historical cloud speed data, and a maximum permissible ramp rate of the photovoltaic power plant, and a data collecting and process module configured to collect data from the sensors, wherein the outer detection perimeter and the inner detection perimeter are used in coordination to determine the direction and speed of cloud cover for ramp up and ramp down control of the photovoltaic array by comparing data gathered at the outer detection perimeter and the inner detection perimeter.