Patent ID: 8101848
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: F24S,G01S,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of positioning a light-receiving surface of a module or modules of solar-powered photovoltaic cells during daylight hours, the module being located on the terrestrial surface and operated at a known latitude, the method comprising: using at least one radiation-detecting sensor in the vicinity of the module to continually measure solar irradiance representative of solar radiation available for the light-receiving surface of the module; continually comparing the measured solar irradiance value with a comparative value for conditions of atmospheric cloud cover; positioning the light-receiving surface of the module toward the sun in accordance with two-axis sun tracking when the measured solar irradiance exceeds the comparative value for atmospheric cloud cover; positioning the light receiving surface of the module horizontally, facing upwardly, when the measured solar irradiance does not exceed the comparative value; and continually re-positioning the light-receiving surface of the module between its toward-the-sun and horizontal positions in accordance with the comparison of the measured solar irradiance value with the comparative value to continually optimize the solar energy captured by the photovoltaic cells.