Passionate Passivity

Presently, society is affected by an energy crisis, as there is a large demand for the energy from oil and gas industries. Such uses of nonrenewable resources contribute to environmental concerns such as climate change and global warming. As a result, research is needed into alternative energy sources. Particularly, photovoltaic panel technology proves to be a viable option for further development, as it does not produce pollution. Harnessing solar thermal energy has potential success in geographic locations of warmer climates and southern latitudes, such as third world countries, where low maintenance energy collection is required.

As photovoltaic technology continues to improve in efficiency, panel arrangements and tracking methods must also be improved to generate a greater power output. There is a need for research into innovations for conventionally inefficient technology. One conventional method of arranging photovoltaic panels is simply placing them in a single position for collecting incident solar radiation, not allowing for ideal exposure. Another method, which optimizes the angle of energy collection, uses tracking motors that allow the panel exposure to solar radiation in a perpendicular manner. Photoelectric sensors are used in electric motorized trackers to determine the location of solar radiation, and to position the photovoltaic panel at an ideal perpendicular position for collection. Active photovoltaic tracking technology has greatly improved in recent years. Nonetheless, active tracking systems require frequent mechanical maintenance, still consuming energy proportional to the panel size and geographic location. The sensitivity of complex motorization results in a decrease of reliability. Additionally, small-scale active trackers are being discontinued in manufacturing by corporations due to their economic inefficiency. Thus, it is difficult in current markets to purchase affordable, small-scale active trackers for private use. Active trackers are also hazardous under storm conditions involving lightning.

A project titled The Nerdy Tree adapted ideal white spruce (Picea glauca) tree morphology for photovoltaic panel arrangement. The design allowed for optimized solar energy collection over an extended period of time in a passive stationary manner, eliminating the need for electrical consumption from motorization. However, the design was not capable of tracking panels at the optimized perpendicular angle, reducing the net amount of energy collected. Thus, a completely different approach must be utilized in the research of developing a new passive photovoltaic panel tracker design capable of high-precision optimized perpendicular tracking is required, yielding a greater output. The following question is therefore addressed:

Can a high-precision passive photovoltaic panel tracking system be developed to increase efficiency and decrease cost?

This project improves upon present passive photovoltaic panel tracking systems, as it is capable of high-precision functions for optimized perpendicular angles, resulting from a faster reaction to solar radiation. Present passive systems use the thermal operation of the transfer of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) mass from one side of the tracking system to the other. (See Figure 1.) The fluid inside the passive systems is placed under partial pressure. The mass transfer process allows the photovoltaic panel to rotate from east to west, tracking the general direction of solar radiation. Passive photovoltaic tracking systems are advantageous and more cost-effective because they do not require maintenance, since the thermal energy functions of the system are sealed, and are more cost-effective overall than active electrical tracking systems. However, they only are effective in geographic areas with long days at high temperatures in the summer, or year-round in consistently warm climates, ultimately deeming any cost-efficiency worthless due to lower energy output. Because of the inefficiency of conventional passive systems, active tracking systems produce more energy than passive tracking systems and are thus worth the additional cost.

Figure 1: Present designs of passive photovoltaic trackers.
(Source: Home Power, No. 101, Pg. 63)

There has been minimal research completed in the field of passive photovoltaic panel tracking systems. Such systems are currently uncommon due to the lack of angle alignment accuracy, a prominent advantageous feature of active motorized tracking systems. Conventional passive photovoltaic tracking systems are also subject to damage from non-temperature-related weather challenges, as it can be blown to the opposite side with strong winds, greatly decreasing accuracy and net output for the day’s exposure to radiation. Another type of passive photovoltaic tracking system being designed, known as Archimedes, uses reflective mirrors to focus solar radiation. However, this system is also ineffective due to the concept that a mirror cannot be 100% reflective, and there is not optimized tracking for full periods at a time. This project will contribute new developments to the field by designing a passive tracking system that consists of no electrical consumption, as well as being capable of high-precision accuracy. Thus, this new passive tracking system will prove to be an efficient method of arranging photovoltaic panels, while optimizing the amount of net energy collected.

This project consists of two phases: Phase 1: Conventional Passive Tracking System Construction, and Phase 2: High-Precision Passive Tracking System Development. This project will conduct an in-depth investigation regarding the mechanical function and efficiency of a constructed standard passive tracking system. (See Figure 2.) Conclusions from the investigation will allow for a greater understanding of how the passive solar tracking system can be improved. A more specific thermal energy system will be designed, constructed and tested in comparison to the standard passive tracking system, as well as current active tracking technology.

Figure 2: The mechanics of a conventional passive photovoltaic tracking system.
(Source: Zomeworks Corporation)

Additionally, alternative mechanical methods to replace the usage of CFCs and HCFCs will be studied and implemented into the design, as CFCs and HCFCs are compounds that are harmful to the environment. Such adjustments will be examined for their effects on the system performance in comparison. An automatic dual-axis system will also be designed for this passive photovoltaic tracking system in tracking solar radiation from north to south, in order to improve upon the manual adjustments required in present systems, thus improving the accuracy of the tracking. An effective hydraulic restrictor will also be designed to limit the movement of the passive tracker. Net energy outputs will be analyzed to determine the efficiency and practical usability of the designed system.

(This website details preliminary work for Passionate Passivity, corresponding with the Calgary Youth Science Fair in March 2008. Significant project changes and design modifications have been made to Passionate Passivity since the creation of this website. To ensure intellectual property protection, final work spanning from approximately June 2007 to April 2008 will be first presented at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May 2008. This website should not be utilized as a reference for Eden Full's ISEF 2008 research.)


Home	Problem Problem and Purpose Background Objectives Variables Hypothesis	Conventional Materials Procedure Observations Managed Data Discussion	Designed Design Materials Procedure Observations Managed Data	Conclusion Analysis Conclusion Applications Sources of Error Future Directions	Credits
Problem and Purpose
Presently, society is affected by an energy crisis, as there is a large demand for the energy from oil and gas industries. Such uses of nonrenewable resources contribute to environmental concerns such as climate change and global warming. As a result, research is needed into alternative energy sources. Particularly, photovoltaic panel technology proves to be a viable option for further development, as it does not produce pollution. Harnessing solar thermal energy has potential success in geographic locations of warmer climates and southern latitudes, such as third world countries, where low maintenance energy collection is required. As photovoltaic technology continues to improve in efficiency, panel arrangements and tracking methods must also be improved to generate a greater power output. There is a need for research into innovations for conventionally inefficient technology. One conventional method of arranging photovoltaic panels is simply placing them in a single position for collecting incident solar radiation, not allowing for ideal exposure. Another method, which optimizes the angle of energy collection, uses tracking motors that allow the panel exposure to solar radiation in a perpendicular manner. Photoelectric sensors are used in electric motorized trackers to determine the location of solar radiation, and to position the photovoltaic panel at an ideal perpendicular position for collection. Active photovoltaic tracking technology has greatly improved in recent years. Nonetheless, active tracking systems require frequent mechanical maintenance, still consuming energy proportional to the panel size and geographic location. The sensitivity of complex motorization results in a decrease of reliability. Additionally, small-scale active trackers are being discontinued in manufacturing by corporations due to their economic inefficiency. Thus, it is difficult in current markets to purchase affordable, small-scale active trackers for private use. Active trackers are also hazardous under storm conditions involving lightning. A project titled The Nerdy Tree adapted ideal white spruce (Picea glauca) tree morphology for photovoltaic panel arrangement. The design allowed for optimized solar energy collection over an extended period of time in a passive stationary manner, eliminating the need for electrical consumption from motorization. However, the design was not capable of tracking panels at the optimized perpendicular angle, reducing the net amount of energy collected. Thus, a completely different approach must be utilized in the research of developing a new passive photovoltaic panel tracker design capable of high-precision optimized perpendicular tracking is required, yielding a greater output. The following question is therefore addressed: Can a high-precision passive photovoltaic panel tracking system be developed to increase efficiency and decrease cost? This project improves upon present passive photovoltaic panel tracking systems, as it is capable of high-precision functions for optimized perpendicular angles, resulting from a faster reaction to solar radiation. Present passive systems use the thermal operation of the transfer of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) mass from one side of the tracking system to the other. (See Figure 1.) The fluid inside the passive systems is placed under partial pressure. The mass transfer process allows the photovoltaic panel to rotate from east to west, tracking the general direction of solar radiation. Passive photovoltaic tracking systems are advantageous and more cost-effective because they do not require maintenance, since the thermal energy functions of the system are sealed, and are more cost-effective overall than active electrical tracking systems. However, they only are effective in geographic areas with long days at high temperatures in the summer, or year-round in consistently warm climates, ultimately deeming any cost-efficiency worthless due to lower energy output. Because of the inefficiency of conventional passive systems, active tracking systems produce more energy than passive tracking systems and are thus worth the additional cost. Figure 1: Present designs of passive photovoltaic trackers. (Source: Home Power, No. 101, Pg. 63) There has been minimal research completed in the field of passive photovoltaic panel tracking systems. Such systems are currently uncommon due to the lack of angle alignment accuracy, a prominent advantageous feature of active motorized tracking systems. Conventional passive photovoltaic tracking systems are also subject to damage from non-temperature-related weather challenges, as it can be blown to the opposite side with strong winds, greatly decreasing accuracy and net output for the day’s exposure to radiation. Another type of passive photovoltaic tracking system being designed, known as Archimedes, uses reflective mirrors to focus solar radiation. However, this system is also ineffective due to the concept that a mirror cannot be 100% reflective, and there is not optimized tracking for full periods at a time. This project will contribute new developments to the field by designing a passive tracking system that consists of no electrical consumption, as well as being capable of high-precision accuracy. Thus, this new passive tracking system will prove to be an efficient method of arranging photovoltaic panels, while optimizing the amount of net energy collected. This project consists of two phases: Phase 1: Conventional Passive Tracking System Construction, and Phase 2: High-Precision Passive Tracking System Development. This project will conduct an in-depth investigation regarding the mechanical function and efficiency of a constructed standard passive tracking system. (See Figure 2.) Conclusions from the investigation will allow for a greater understanding of how the passive solar tracking system can be improved. A more specific thermal energy system will be designed, constructed and tested in comparison to the standard passive tracking system, as well as current active tracking technology. Figure 2: The mechanics of a conventional passive photovoltaic tracking system. (Source: Zomeworks Corporation) Additionally, alternative mechanical methods to replace the usage of CFCs and HCFCs will be studied and implemented into the design, as CFCs and HCFCs are compounds that are harmful to the environment. Such adjustments will be examined for their effects on the system performance in comparison. An automatic dual-axis system will also be designed for this passive photovoltaic tracking system in tracking solar radiation from north to south, in order to improve upon the manual adjustments required in present systems, thus improving the accuracy of the tracking. An effective hydraulic restrictor will also be designed to limit the movement of the passive tracker. Net energy outputs will be analyzed to determine the efficiency and practical usability of the designed system. (This website details preliminary work for Passionate Passivity, corresponding with the Calgary Youth Science Fair in March 2008. Significant project changes and design modifications have been made to Passionate Passivity since the creation of this website. To ensure intellectual property protection, final work spanning from approximately June 2007 to April 2008 will be first presented at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May 2008. This website should not be utilized as a reference for Eden Full's ISEF 2008 research.)
Copyright © Eden Full, 2008. All rights reserved. Contact: spacecamper@gmail.com.