On Solar Panel Orientation

Abstract

In the field of solar energy, the majority of research is focused on the precision of solar panels and mirror orientation. But, the good working of solar systems is disturbed by the devastating effect of the wind and the dusting of optical surfaces. It should be profitable, in order to increase the efficiency of solar energy capture, to minimize the effect of the two phenomena mentioned below. The wind forces applied to solar panels and their tracking mechanisms are in direct relation to the wind velocity and the continuous surface of the panel. The wind velocity and direction are random facts, but the shape and the continuous surface of the mirrors and panels emerge from human decisions. Therefore to minimize the wind effect it should split the continuous mirror surface into mini-mirrors able to orientate alone. A large continuous mirror could become an area of micro-mirrors with equivalent energy efficiency but more insensitive to the wind effect.