DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of solar tracking systems, more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a solar tracker gateway for integrating solar tracking controllers with plant SCADA units.
DEFINITONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Gateway - The term “gateway” hereinafter refers to a node that converts two different protocols in the same network.

SCADA – The term “SCADA” is an acronym for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and hereinafter refers to a process control system for gathering and analyzing real-time data.

BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Photovoltaic panels that employ solar trackers to track the movement of the sun provide higher conversion efficiency as compared to the fixed tilt photovoltaic panels. Although mechanical assembly required for solar tracking requires a higher initial investment as compared to conventional non tracking solar systems, tracking solar systems are generally preferred over stationary panels as the higher initial investments can be compensated for by better return on investments. The monitoring and control of solar trackers is important for analyzing the performance, providing insights for maintenance and prolonging the life of the trackers. The daily tracking operation is facilitated by tracker controllers. These tracker controllers are equipped to perform tracking, but are not directly connected to the SCADA due to the following reasons:
1. Higher no. terminations in SCADA equipment
2. Data loss due to increased cable run length
3. Higher communication port capacity in the equipment, thereby contributing to increase in cost and maintenance of the equipment
The tracker controllers generally operate on a Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) protocol which supports serial data requisition. If the tracker controllers are directly interfaced with the plant SCADA unit using said protocol, then the SCADA will only be able to communicate with one controller at a time. A large-scale project generally has a huge number of tracker controllers. If the SCADA communicates with one controller at a time, then it will have large latency and slow data refresh or update rate, thereby hampering the real-time monitoring of the plant. Moreover, the on-site maintenance personnel will not be able to track faults and downtime of the plant accurately.
Therefore, there is felt a need to provide a solar tracker gateway that reduces latency time and data update time, resulting in real-time monitoring of solar tracker.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that integrates tracker controller units with SCADA.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that reduces latency and increases refresh or update rate of the real-time data.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that supports accurate tracking of faults and downtime of a plant.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that regularly generates an uptime report for the solar tracking system.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that ensures time synchronization between all the tracker controllers.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that performs the function of data logging and has FTP provision for uploading logged data.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar tracker gateway that allows integration with wind sensor and supports stowing and cleaning modes.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a solar tracker gateway for a solar tracking system is disclosed.
The solar tracker gateway for a tracker system, having a plurality of solar tracker controllers and a SCADA unit, comprises a control unit and a protocol converter module. The control unit is configured to:
• store pre-defined optimal position data of solar panels;
• cooperate with the tracker controller to receive and store real-time position data of the solar panels;
• cooperate with the SCADA unit to receive a user input, wherein the user input is indicative of at least one mode of operation of the solar panels; and
• provide the optimal position data, based on said received input, to each of the tracker controllers to facilitate angular displacement of the solar panels.
The protocol converter module is configured to cooperate with the control unit to receive real-time position data of the solar panels serially, and further configured to facilitate parallel transmission of the received data to the SCADA unit through an Ethernet module, thereby reducing latency in real-time data monitoring of the solar tracker.
o In an embodiment, the control unit comprises a data logger and a real-time clock. The data logger is configured to store the real-time position data of the solar panels, pre-defined optimal position data for each mode of operation, and a pre-defined synchronization time of said tracker controller. The real-time clock is configured to: cooperate with said data logger (212):
? to timestamp said stored real-time position data of the solar panels, and
? to reset time of said tracker controller (108) if said tracker controller (108) does not synchronize in a pre-defined time; and
o maintain time synchronization between said plurality of tracker controllers (108).

In an embodiment, the modes of operation include a tracking mode and a cleaning mode. In tracking mode, the solar panels track the sun to receive an intensity of sunrays on the solar panels. In cleaning mode, two adjacent solar panel rows face each other at an angle for cleaning of the solar panels.
In an embodiment, the control unit is connected to an anemometer to receive a measured wind speed value, and is configured to generate an alert signal when the received wind speed value exceeds a pre-decided threshold value.
In an embodiment, the gateway comprises a GPS module to receive local time and geo-coordinates of the location of the gateway.
In an embodiment, the control module includes a report generation tool. The report generation tool cooperates with the data logger to receive the stored optimal position data and the real-time position data of the solar panels. The report generating tool is configured to generate an uptime report after completion of the tracking mode of operation.
In an embodiment, the report includes a deviation angle of solar panel, indicating deviation of the real-time position data of the solar panel with respect to the optimal position data.
In an embodiment, the gateway is connected to a GSM module to upload the report onto a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A solar tracker gateway of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1A illustrates a block diagram of a solar tracker gateway in a solar tracker system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 1B illustrates a block diagram of a solar tracker gateway in a solar tracker system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a hardware block diagram of a solar tracker gateway accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 –solar tracker system
102 – SCADA unit
104 – Ethernet module
106 – solar tracker gateway
108 – solar tracker controller
202 – control unit
204 – protocol converter
212 – data logger
214 – real-time clock
220 – anemometer
222 – GPS module
224 – GSM module
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The present disclosure envisages a solar tracker gateway for a solar tracker system having a plurality of solar tracker controllers 108 and a SCADA unit 102.
A solar tracker gateway 106 for a solar tracker system 100, having a plurality of solar tracker controllers 108 and a SCADA unit 102, of the present disclosure is now being described with reference to Figure 1A through Figure 2.
In embodiment, the solar tracker gateway 106 (herein after refereed as gateway 106) is wirelessly integrated with the solar tracker controller 108 (herein after referred as tracker controller 108) of the solar tracker system 100, as shown in Figure 1A. The gateway 106 is connected through RF interface to the tracker controller 108. In another embodiment, the gateway is in wired connection with the tracker controller 108, as shown in Figure 1B. The wired connection is established using RS485 interface.
Referring to Figure 2, the gateway 106 comprises a control unit 202 and a protocol converter module 204. The control unit 202 cooperates with the tracker controller 108 to receive real-time position data of the solar panels. The control unit 202 stores the received real-time data and pre-defined optimal position data of solar panels. In an embodiment, the control unit 202 cooperates with the SCADA unit 102 to receive a user input. The user input is indicative of at least one mode of operation of the solar panels. In an embodiment, the modes of operations are tracking mode and cleaning mode. In tracking mode, solar panels of the solar tracker system track the sun to receive maximum intensity of sunrays on the solar panels. In cleaning mode, two adjacent solar panel rows face each other at an angle for cleaning of the solar panels, so that a cleaning personnel can clean two tracker rows in round, thereby optimizing the cleaning time. Based on the received input for mode of operation, the corresponding optimal position data is provided by the control unit 202 to the tracker controllers 108 for angular displacement of the solar panels.
In an embodiment, the protocol converter module 204 cooperates with the control unit 202 to receive real-time position data of the solar panels from the tracker controller 108 serially over RTU protocol. The protocol converter module 204 facilitates parallel transmission of the received data to the SCADA unit 102 through an Ethernet module 104 over TCP/IP protocol, which supports parallel communication. The parallel transmission of the position data reduces latency in real-time data monitoring of the solar tracker system. This feature further increases update rate of the real-time data.
In an embodiment, the control unit 202 comprises a data logger 212 and a real-time clock 214. The data logger 212 stores the real-time position data of the solar panel received from the tracker controller 108. The data logger 212 also stores pre-defined optimal position data of the solar panels corresponding to each mode of operation and a pre-defined synchronization time of said tracker controller (108). The real-time clock 214 cooperates with the data logger 212 to timestamp the stored real-time position data of the solar panels. The real-time clock 214 maintains time synchronization between all the tracker controllers 108. If any of the tracker controllers 108 does not synchronize due to malfunction, the real-time clock 214 resets the time of the tracker controller 108 to the current time when the real-time position data deviation exceeds a pre-defined deviation from the desired optimal position data. In an embodiment, the data obtained from tracker controllers 108 can be used for calculations relating to performance, warranty or fault analysis.
In an embodiment, the control unit 202 further includes a report generation tool (not shown in figure). The report generation tool cooperates with the data logger 212 to receive the stored optimal position data and the real-time position data of the solar panels. The report generation tool generates an uptime report after completion of the tracking mode of operation. The report includes a deviation angle of solar panel, indicating deviation of the real-time position data of the solar panel with respect to the optimal position data. In an embodiment, the report generation tool can be configured to create a separate time stamped error log to help on-site operation and maintenance (O & M) personnel to address the faults. The error log can be configured to capture only the information relating to the nature of the fault and time of occurrence of the fault. The personnel may refer the error log for obtaining detailed regarding the fault. In an embodiment, the gateway 106 is connected to a GSM module 224 to upload the generated report onto a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server.
In an embodiment, the control unit 202 is connected to an anemometer 220 to receive a measured wind speed value. The control unit generates an alert signal when the received wind speed value exceeds a pre-decided threshold value. The pre-decided threshold value for the wind speed is stored in the data logger 212. The pre-decided value for the wind speed depends on the geographical location of the solar panels. In an embodiment, the gateway 106 comprises a GPS module 222 to receive local time and geo-coordinates of the location.
In an embodiment, the solar tracker gateway 106 can be housed in an IP 65/ 66 enclosure. In another embodiment, the solar tracker gateway 106 can be a Linux based single computer board. The solar tracker gateway 106 can be powered by AC or DC battery-based supply.
TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a solar tracker gateway that:
• integrates tracker controller protocol with SCADA unit;
• reduces latency and increases refresh or update rate of the real-time data;
• supports accurate tracking of faults and downtime of a plant
• generates an uptime report for the solar tracking system;
• that ensures time synchronization of all the tracker controllers;
• performs the function of data logging and has FTP provision for uploading logged data.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A solar tracker gateway (106) for a solar tracker system having a plurality of solar tracker controllers (108) and a SCADA unit (102), said gateway (106) comprising:
- a control unit (202) configured to:
• store pre-defined optimal position data of solar panels;
• cooperate with said tracker controller (108) to receive and store real-time position data of the solar panels;
• cooperate with said SCADA unit (102) to receive a user input, wherein said user input is indicative of at least one mode of operation of the solar panels; and
• provide the optimal position data, based on said received input, to each of said tracker controllers (108) to facilitate angular displacement of the solar panels; and
- a protocol converter module (204) configured to cooperate with said control unit (202) to receive real-time position data of the solar panels serially, and further configured to facilitate parallel transmission of said received data to said SCADA unit (102) through an Ethernet module (104), thereby reducing latency in real-time data monitoring of the solar tracker.
2. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (202) comprising:
- a data logger (212) configured to store the real-time position data of the solar panels, pre-defined optimal position data for each mode of operation, a pre-defined synchronization time of said tracker controller (108); and
- a real-time clock (214) configured to:
o cooperate with said data logger (212):
? to timestamp said stored real-time position data of the solar panels, and
? to reset time of said tracker controller (108) if said tracker controller (108) does not synchronize in a pre-defined time; and
o maintain time synchronization between said plurality of tracker controllers (108).
3. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modes of operation include:
- a tracking mode, in which the solar panels track the sun to receive an intensity of sunrays on the solar panels; and
- a cleaning mode, in which two adjacent solar panel rows face each other at an angle for cleaning of the solar panels.
4. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (202) is connected to an anemometer (220) to receive a measured wind speed value, and is configured to generate an alert signal when the received wind speed value exceeds a pre-decided threshold value.
5. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a GPS module (222) to receive local time and geo-coordinates of the location of said gateway (106).
6. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control module (202) includes a report generating tool cooperating with said data logger (212) to receive said stored optimal position data and said real-time position data of the solar panels, said report generating tool configured to generate an uptime report after completion of the tracking mode of operation.
7. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said report includes a deviation angle of solar panel, wherein said deviation angle indicates deviation of the real-time position data of the solar panel with respect to the optimal position data.
8. The gateway (106) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said gateway (106) is connected to a GSM module (224) to upload said report onto a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server.