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- HXS10 SolStation Solar Tracking Controllers
Introducing Useful Functions
HXS10 SolStation Solar Tracking Controllers
In the previous article, we explained how to make use of solar energy.
This time, we'll introduce the following main features of our product, HXS10 SolStation Solar Tracking Controller:
- Built-in solar position algorithm
- Excellent environmental performance
- Powerful communication functions
- Selectable input/outputs
Built-In Solar Position Algorithm
Sun tracking is indespensible for the concentrated solar
power application where various different kind of mirrors are used and
it also contributes increase of capacity factor for power generation
from PV panels.
A solar tracking controller determines the position of the sun and adjusts mirrors or PV panels angles.
The HXS10 offers two methods for finding the solar position:
1) by using insolation sensors and
2) by calculation based on geographical location and time.
Because the HXS10 SolStation™ comes standard with
the solar position algorithm developed
by the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory),
no complicated equations need to be programmed.
The HXS10 supports both sensor based tracking and
calculation based tracking.
Figure 1. Solar Position Algorithm
Excellent Environmental Performance
Because solar tracking controllers are usually deployed outdoors,
and often used in locations such as deserts where
ambient temperatures exceed 40°C,
these need to be placed inside appropriate enclosures.
Due to their harsh operating conditions,
solar tracking controllers must be durable and highly reliable.
The HXS10 SolStation™ has a wide operating temperature range of
-20 to 70°C and low power consumption (5W or less),
offering high tolerance for use in high temperature.
Figure 2. Installed inside Enclosures
Moreover, the HXS10 SolStation™ combines more than 30 years' history of high integrity PID controller technology with world-class recorder technology to provide the highest reliability.
With its durability and reliability, it can support plants that are operating for long periods of time.
Figure 3. Combined Controller and Measurement Technologies
Powerful Communication Functions
Mega solar power plants requires hundreds or thousands of
solar tracking controllers.
Therefore, upper system needs to communicate with large number
of field instruments and handle high communication traffic.
The HXS10 SolStation™, supports MODBUS Server/Client functions,
and can run them simultaneously so that a single HXS10 can aggregate
information from multiple other HXS10s.
This scheme help reduce communication load in the field.
Use of a batch distribution program for the HXS10 allows distribution
of both configuration parameters and programs to multiple number of
the HXS10 with a few strokes of operation.
This will ease maintenance of solar tracking controllers in the field.
Figure 4. Reducing the Upstream Communication Load
Selectable Input/Output
The HXS10 offers various I/O configuration to offer high value required
for field controllers.
The HXS10 SolStation™ comes standard with 12 ch each of digital
input (DI) and output (DO), an Ethernet port, and a dedicated maintenance port.
Additionally, it offers up to 6 ch of analog input (AI), up to 2 ch of analog output (AO), up to 2 sets of pulse encoder input, and RS232 + RS485 input/output.
Various kinds of solar tracking requirements in the field are supported by those combinations.
Figure 5. Selectable Input/Output
Shown above is an example of I/O connection to the HXS10 controller.
