Analysis and Design of IoT Enabled Low Cost Distributed Angle Measurement System

Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a recent technology that have a good potential in small scale solar power applications. It is arranged from many long row segments of mirrors that focus the sunlight onto a fixed elevated tubular receiver. Mirror segments are aligned horizontally and track the sun such that the receiver is illuminated without the need of being moved. The efficiency at which LFR can convert solar to thermal energy depends on the accuracy of the sun tracking system. To maximize the degree of sunlight capture, a precise solar tracking is needed with the goal of capturing solar radiation as much as possible. The tilt angles of each raw are a crucial information that are necessary for the tracking controller to whether or not correct positioning is achieved. Encoders generally are employed in the closed-loop tracking systems as feedback signals used to inform the controller with the actual position of collector mirrors. Recently inclinometers have begun to largely replace encoders as the most viable and cost-effective sensor technology solution which offer the capacity for simpler and precise feedback, as they measure the angle of tilt with respect to gravity and provides the ability to adjust system to the optimal angle for maximizing output. This paper presents the research results on the development of remote measurements for the precise control of LFR tracking system, by using distributed angle measurements. The applied methodology enables the precision measurement LFR inclination angles through the fusion of data from multiple accelerometers, supported by low cost wireless transceivers in a wireless sensor network, capable of exchanging information in cloud infrastructure.