Control components used in solar power system

Omron Corporation has announced that its control components have been used in a sun-tracking solar power system situated near to Madrid, Spain.

Omron Corporation has announced that its control components have been used in a sun-tracking solar power system situated near to Madrid, Spain.

The system was installed by Electricidad Alsanbo SA ("Alsanbo"), a Spanish systems integrator.

The system adjusts the positioning of solar cell panels to ensure that they remain perpendicular to the incident angle of the sun's rays in order to maximise energy output.

As a result, the system is able to generate 30 to 40% more power than traditional stationary systems.

In response to Alsanbo's need for a total solution, Omron supplied all of the components necessary for the system's operation including solar conditioners, programmable logic controllers (PLC), a PLC-based communications interface, programmable terminals, power supplies and limit switches.

Programmed with historical data on the position of the sun, Omron's PLCs precisely control the horizontal rotation and vertical tilt of the solar panels to accurately track the sun's movement.

Omron's solar power conditioners convert DC power generated by the solar panels into AC power for household use.

They also incorporate a grid interconnection protection function which automatically stops the system operating if a disturbance occurs in the commercial power system or an accident occurs on the power company side of the interconnection.

The methods and safety standards concerning interconnection for power companies vary between countries.

Omron optimised this system to conform with the Royal Decree that regulates interconnection in Spain.

Inverters alter electrical frequency in response to data from the PLC on the rotation and tilt angles in order to control the motors that move the solar panels.

The EU has set a target of increasing the percentage of renewables, such as solar power and wind power, in the energy supply from 14% in 2005 to 22% by 2010.

Solar and wind power represent sources of unlimited renewable energy that do not discharge CO2, a major cause of global warming.

In comparison to wind power, solar power is considered a quieter and more stable source of energy.

In addition, solar power systems are free from the problems presented by the windmills used in wind farms which are a hazard to migratory birds on their journey between Africa and Northern Europe.

As a result, solar power is now considered one of the cleanest and most environmentally-friendly forms of renewable energy and demand is expected to grow in the future.

Back to top