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Thermal Load based Adaptive Tracking for Flat Plate Solar Collectors

Article  in  Energy Procedia · December 2014

DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.02.158

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ScienceDirect
Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411

SHC 2013, International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry
September 23-25, 2013, Freiburg, Germany

Thermal load based adaptive tracking for

flat plate solar collectors
Mircea Neagoea,*, Ion Visaa, Bogdan G. Burduhosa, Macedon D. Moldovana
a
Research Center Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling, Transilvania University of Brasov, Eroilor 29, 500036 Brasov, Romania

Abstract

The energy output of solar-thermal systems using flat plate collectors can be improved by tracking. Tracking is well known as a
path for increasing the amount of solar radiation received by the collector; additionally the paper proposes a new concept that
considers the inverse tracking as a viable option for protecting the collectors against overheating. An analysis of the thermal
energy output and conversion efficiency is done considering forward tracking in three different days with different radiation
profile (cloudy, sunny and mixed days), followed by an analysis of the inverse tracking concept. The in-field data show that there
is a limiting angle below which inverse tracking is not effective and this value is estimated at 40º as compared with the optimal
orientation. A logical scheme is proposed based on four different programs for forward tracking, inverse tracking, maximum
inverse tracking or fixing the collector; this decisional scheme covers a broad range of functional situations having as central
concept the production of thermal energy only when needed, for satisfying the demand, decreasing the energy consumption for
forced circulation and supporting the systems reliability and safety.

© 2014The
© 2014 TheAuthors.
Authors.Published
Publishedby by Elsevier
Elsevier Ltd.Ltd.
Selection andpeer
Selection and peerreview
review
byby
thethe scientific
scientific conference
conference committee
committee of 2013
of SHC SHC under
2013 responsibility
under responsibility of PSE AG.
of PSE AG

Keywords: Solar thermal conversion; flat plate solar-thermal collector; tracking system; thermal load; global radiation.

1. Introduction

Solar-thermal systems were developed and accepted on the market more than 50 years ago and are representing
now a consistent part of the future energy scenario. The 2020 EU average target is of 14.3% of the thermal energy
obtained based on renewables, with significantly higher values for several countries, including Romania with this

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +40-745-351-775; fax: +40-372-879-652.

E-mail address: mneagoe@unitbv.ro

1876-6102 © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Selection and peer review by the scientific conference committee of SHC 2013 under responsibility of PSE AG
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.02.158
1402 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411

Nomenclature

Bh direct radiation on horizontal plane

Dh diffuse solar radiation on horizontal plane
Gh global radiation on horizontal plane
Gtk global incident radiation on tracked collector
Gf global incident radiation on fixed collector
k cloudy sky coefficient
Ptk thermal power of the tracked collector
Pf thermal power of the fixed collector
t current time
Ta outdoor air temperature
Tb solar storage tank temperature
Tbmax solar storage tank maximum allowed temperature
Tc collector fluid temperature
Tcmax collector maximum allowed fluid temperature
TDHW domestic hot water (DHW) temperature
Tin inlet collector temperature
Tout outlet collector temperature
tsr sunrise time
tss sunset time

g
wr working regime: 1- holyday; 0-regular operation

gtk
solar diurnal angle

gitk
forward tracking angle
inverse tracking angle
ηtk tracked collector efficiency
ηf fixed collector efficiency

value set at 27.2%. The solar-thermal energy conversion systems have a well-defined role in this future planning,
supporting the on-site energy production; this includes industrial processes (drying, water treatment), power
production but one of the mostly widespread applications is the built environment. Besides efficiency, the built
environment has specific requirements of architectural acceptance which make the flat-plate and vacuum tube
collectors the main candidate convertors, used in systems for covering the domestic hot water (DHW) and (partially)
the heating needs.
For these type of collectors, plenty of research was devoted aiming at increasing the thermal energy output by
increasing the efficiency and the amount of collected solar radiation, decreasing the energy required for forced
circulation, and supporting an increased working lifetime by avoiding overheating. Thus an impressive amount of
results is reported and review papers are outlining new concepts for solar-thermal collectors [1, 2] or for novel
materials with spectral selective optical properties used as absorber plates or glazing, [3, 4]. While concentrated dish
and trough collectors are orientated as a functional pre-requisite, tracking flat-plate solar-thermal collectors is much
less investigated, although it can bring significant advantages in the overall energy output, particularly in temperate,
rather cold areas. Various tracking solutions are reported, based on pre-set tracking algorithms mainly using single
axis tracking systems, [5] or gravity based tracking systems, [6]. It is reported an increase of the energy output as
large as 35% for tracked systems using flat plate solar thermal collectors, as compared with the output of identical
fixed collectors, South-exposed at an optimised tilt angle [7], along with a consequent decrease of the energy
consumed for pumping in forced circulation, e.g. using the maximum power point control, [8].
Increasing the amount of incident solar radiation on the solar-thermal collector has a more complex result as this
leads to increased amounts of thermal energy during the peak periods of the day; in current residential applications,
e.g. for domestic hot water (DHW), the noon period is usually associated with lowest thermal energy consumption
(as most of the inhabitants are out), thus the automation systems will actually stop the thermal liquid flow. Usually
 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411 1403

the above mentioned tracking solutions will continue the collector’s motion and the risk of overheating becomes
high. This aspect is even more important for longer periods of not using DHW (e.g. during holydays) when, even in
the absence of tracking, overheating occurs.
Overheating due to stagnation is reported to be responsible for a broad range of negative effects in the systems as
the water hammer effect in the collector’s pipes, valves and vents fast aging (as result of the vapours penetration in
the liquid), the degradation of the thermal carrier, which for the regular anti-freeze starts at 120º and is complete and
fast at 220ºC, [9, 10]. Additionally, the different thermal expansion of the absorber metal plate (usually made of
copper or aluminium) and the ceramic coating (with high spectral selectivity) results in micro-cracks that expand
and significantly reduces the efficiency and the lifetime. Thus overheating has to be avoided as it reduces the
durability, safety and reliability of the thermal collector. Many solutions were identified for limiting or avoiding
overheating: covering the panels using shades, [9], using drain back and steam back systems, [9, 10, 11], or simply
dumping the excess heat into the atmosphere or reversing the circuit during night for cooling [12]. These solutions
have variable effectiveness but have something in common: they act after the heat was produced, thus the risks
associated to the overheating are still present, and it is only the exposure duration which is lowered.
The concept we propose in this paper is based on the development of performant solar-thermal systems that use
forward tracking for increasing the amount of thermal energy produced when needed and inverse tracking for avoiding
overheating. This is part of a larger concept that states the use of solar radiation when needed, in the needed amount,
thus preventing the fast system’s aging; this also allows full exploitation of the tracking systems, supports lowering the
energy consumption used in pumping, avoids the anti-freeze decomposition, thus corrosion and increases the systems
durability. The forward tracking effect is analysed and the concept of inverse tracking is presented. Based on these
experimental results, a logical scheme is presented, involving four different programs, controlled by the solar radiation
amount (forward tracking) and by the inlet/outlet temperatures in the collector for inverse tracking. The novelty of this
paper is that tracking is not only used for increasing the amount of solar radiation received by the solar-thermal
collectors, but also suports increasing the heat system lifetime by reducing overheating.

2. Experimental

The experimental set up is implemented outdoor, on the roof terrace of the R&D Centre Renewable Energy
Systems and Recycling, in the Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania. The geographic coordinates of the
implementation site are 45.65°N, 25.59°E, at an altitude of 600 m above the sea level. A continental temperate
climatic profile characterizes this location, with cold winters (lowest temperatures reaching –28°C) and warm
summers, with peak temperatures of 32°C.
The solar radiation was monitored using Weather Station (Delta T), including a SPN1 pyranometer for diffuse
and global solar radiation (uncertainty 5% for daily measurements), running in parallel with a weather data station
installed by the Romanian National Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology that periodically compares and
validates the registered data. The experimental rig is presented in Fig. 1. It consists of two identical flat plate
collectors (CosmoSOL BlueTec, 2008, active surface area 2.42 m2, efficiency given by manufacturer 78%,
stagnation temperature 180ºC), one fixed and one tracked, South-oriented and parallel connected. The tracking
system is driven by a linear actuator through a tracking linkage (triangle with adjustable link), with the angular
stroke of 130º (±65º). The tracking program stepwise modifies the hourly angle as Fig. 2 presents, while the
elevation/tilt angle is set at 35º for the fixed collector (as optimised for a full year) and at 21º for the tracked
collector based on previous optimisation (patent pending: Visa, I. et al., no. A/00109, 2012).
The closed loop system uses antifreeze (1:1 water – ethylene glycol) as thermal fluid and has a 300L storage tank
(300L, Viessmann, Vitocell-B 300, installed in the monitoring room, at the ground floor) and operates under forced
circulation. A backup source is provided by the gas fired boiler (Viessmann, Vitodens 300, 24 kW). Temperature
sensors PT100 (stability ± 0.05%) were used to monitor the inlet/outlet temperatures in the collectors and the
temperatures in the storage tank. The functional automation is insured by a Solar controller (Viessmann, Vitosolic
200, electronic temperature differential control unit for solar heating system). If the outlet (return) temperature for
the tracked and fixed solar thermal collector is higher than the temperature in the lower part of the storage tank
(∆T = T5 – T7 > ∆TON) the solar circuit pump (P2, Viessmann, Solar 25-60, P = 75W) is switched ON; otherwise
the pump P2 is switched OFF. If the temperature in the upper part of the storage tank (T6) is lower than the set for
the DHW temperature (e.g. 60°C) than the pump P1 (identical to P2) is switched ON (Fig. 1).
1404 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411

1 tracked solar thermal collector

2 fixed solar thermal collector
3 DHW storage tank
4 condensing gas fired boiler
5 solar controller
P1 storage tank loading pump
P2 solar circuit pump
Q1, Q2 electronic energy meters for the tracked and for the fixed solar
thermal collectors (Zenner, Multidata S1)
T1 inlet (flow) temperature sensor for the tracked solar thermal collector
T2 outlet (return) temperature sensor for the tracked solar thermal collector
T3 inlet (flow) temperature sensor for the fixed solar thermal collector
T4 outlet (return) temperature sensor for the fixed solar thermal collector
T5 outlet (return) temperature sensor for the tracked and fixed solar thermal
collectors
T6 temperature sensor for the upper part of the storage tank
T7 temperature sensor for the lower part of the storage tank

Fig. 1. The experimental outdoor testing rig.

100
ε, εtk [deg]
80

60
1
40

20
2

0 Solar Time
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
-20

-40

-60

1 solar diurnal angle, g

2 forward tracking angle, gtk
-80

-100

Fig. 2. Stepwise forward tracking.

3. Results and discussions

3.1. Forward tracking

The thermal output obviously depends on the amount of incident solar radiation on the solar-thermal convertor.
Basically, two mechanisms are expected: conversion of the UV and Vis radiation (strongly influenced by the
absorptance of the absorber plate) and heat convection which is limited by the heat losses, therefore by the thermal
emittance of the absorber plate and by the collector’s sealing. While conversion is strongly supported by the direct
radiation, convection uses the IR part of the spectrum, thus both direct and diffuse radiation. Considering these, three
days were selected for discussion, with different solar radiation profile: a cloudy day (June 30, 2013, mainly
benefiting of diffuse radiation), a sunny day (July 02, 2013, with direct radiation representing more than 80% of the
global radiation) and a mixed day (July 04, 2013). The meteorological data are presented in Fig. 3.
 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411 1405

1200 40 1200 40
Gh, Bh Ta [ºC] Gh, Bh Ta [ºC]
[W/m2] [W/m2]
1000 35 1000 35

1
800 30 800 30
2 3
600 25 600 25

400 20 400 20
3
200 15 200 15
1
2
Solar Time Solar Time
0 10 0 10
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
(a) (b)
1200 40
Gh, Bh Ta [ºC]
[W/m2]
1000 35

800 30
1

600 25
3
400
2 20

200 15
1 global radiation on horizontal plane, Gh
2 direct radiation on horizontal plane, Bh
0 Solar Time 10 3 outdoor air temperature, Ta
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
(c)
Fig. 3. Global radiation, direct radiation and outdoor temperature, for: (a) a cloudy day; (b) a sunny day; (c) a mixed day.

As the data show, during the cloudy day only diffuse radiation was available (mainly supporting thermal energy
convection) while for the mixed day, a sunny period of six hours alternated with four hours of cloudiness.
The solar-thermal energy conversion on the fixed and tracked collectors was further investigated in terms of
thermal power as Fig. 4 presents along with the global radiation amount received by the panel (calculated using the
values registered by the weather station and considering the inclination angles of the collectors). In each day,
measurements were done during 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
By using these data, the conversion efficiency was calculated as the ratio between the thermal power output of
the fixed (Pf) or tracked (Ptr) collector and the input global solar radiation on the fixed (Gf), respectively on the
tracked (Gtr) collector, as eq. (1) shows:

ηf = (Pf / Gf) × 100 [%] (1a) ηtr = (Ptr / Gtr) × 100 [%] (1b)

The total thermal energy produced by unit area in these days was calculated considering the operation time and is
presented in Table 1.

Table 1. Total thermal energy produced and estimated increase of the DHW temperature (Vtank = 300L).
Day Cloudy day Mixed day Sunny day
Total energy produced – tracked [Wh/day/m2] 87 1245 3351
Total energy produced – fixed [Wh/day/m2] 24 829 2644
∆Ttracked [ºC/day/m2] 0.25 3.57 9.61
∆Tfixed [ºC/day/m2] 0.07 2.38 7.58
1406 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411

1200 1200
Gtk, Gf, Ptk, Pf Gtk, Gf, Ptk, Pf
[W/m2] [W/m2]
1000 1000

1
800 800
2

600 600

3
400 400
1

200 200
2 4
3 4 Solar Time
0 0 Solar Time
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
(a) (b)
1200
Gtk, Gf, Ptk, Pf
[W/m2]
1000

800
1
2
600

3
400
4
200
1 global incident radiation on tracked collector, Gtk
2 global incident radiation on fixed collector, Gf
Solar Time
0 3 thermal power of the tracked collector, Ptk
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4 thermal power of the fixed collector, Pf
(c)

Fig. 4. Global incident radiation and thermal power output in: (a) a cloudy day; (b) a sunny day; (c) a mixed day.

Several conclusions can be outlined based on the data obtained analysing the selected days and are common for
the entire monitored period (June 01 – July 31, 2013):
- the thermal power produced is (as expected) depending on the input global radiation;
- tracking significantly improves the thermal energy produced with 26% in the sunny day, 50% in the mixed
day and 262% in the cloudy day (Tab. 1). Although very high the increase due to tracking in the cloudy day,
considering the actual thermal energy values one may consider that tracking is not recommended, as the
energy consumed for rotating the collector is about 30 Wh. On the other hand, in mixed days and especially
in sunny days the thermal energy gain is significant and forward tracking is well justified in the
experimental conditions;
- the average solar to thermal conversion efficiency during the sunny days is of about 40% (Fig. 5b) and it is
to mention the “levelling” effect brought by tracking (i.e. the more constant conversion efficiency) which
represents an asset in the accurate system design. The same effect is observed also in mixed days, with a
slightly lower value of 39% (Fig. 5c). This value is lower than the nominal efficiency given by the
manufacturer but this could be correlated with the already existent operation duration (six years), under
testing conditions;
- the DHW temperature variation (Fig. 5) in the storage tank shows a steady decrease during the cloudy day,
because of the low thermal input; the data also show that the “stagnation” regime (forced circulation off) is
twice registered during the mixed day, after the peak at 11:15 and after 16:00, but cooling runs with a very
low slope of 0.8ºC/hour. During the sunny day stagnation was not registered and this is because of the much
lower initial temperature in the storage tank (of 38ºC as compared to 55ºC in the mixed day). Therefore, to
compare the output result of interest for the beneficiary, the temperature increase of the DHW in the storage
tank was calculated considering the thermal energy produced and the volume of water in the storage tank.
 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411 1407

80
TDHW ηtk, f 100% 80
TDHW ηtk,f
100%

70 [ºC] 70
[ºC]

60 75% 60 75%

50 50
3 3
40 50% 40 50%
3
2
30 30
1

4
20 25% 20 25%

10 10
Solar Time Solar Time
0 0% 0 0%
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
(a) (b)
80 100%
TDHW ηtk, f
70
[ºC]

60
3 75%

50

40 50%

30
1

20 2 25%

10
1 tracked collector efficiency, ηtk
Solar Time
0 0% 2 fixed collector efficiency, ηf
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 3 DHW temperature, TDHW
(c)

Fig. 5. Conversion efficiency and DHW temperature in: (a) a cloudy day; (b) a sunny day; (c) a mixed day.

The values are presented in Table 1, for both fixed (∆T fixed) and tracked (∆Ttracked) collectors and confirm that
forward tracking is recommended during sunny periods but also show that stagnation is faster reached.
To further analyse the effect of forward tracking, tests were done in a mixed day (June 23, 2013) with the both
collectors having continuous forced circulation and the results are presented in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.
In the experimental operation conditions, tracking allows obtaining 3944 Wh/m2/day thermal energy that is with
214% higher than the energy produced by the fixed module. This outlines the thermal stress to which the collector is
subjected during stagnation. The gain is especially registered during the periods with lower radiation (early morning
and late afternoon) showing both, the forward tracking benefits and its drawback. It is also important to outline that
in periods when during consecutive days DHW is not used (e.g. during holydays when the house owners are left),
the storage tank temperature is not significantly decreasing during night (as Fig. 5 shows) and the cumulative heat
may give raise to very high stagnation temperatures, requiring protection to overheating.

3.2. Inverse tracking

A novel concept, making full use of the tracking system is therefore proposed and experimentally tested. The
inverse tracking represents a solution for preventing overheating by orienting the collector in counter phase to the
incident solar radiation. The influence of the counter phase angle on the thermal output and speed of response were
investigated in stagnation conditions, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.
Testing was done in a sunny period, on July 10, 2013, when the outdoor temperature ranged between 25...30ºC
(with a peak value of 32ºC). The inverse tracking was activated when the inlet temperature reached 120ºC (during
10:30…13:00) and 100ºC (during 13:00…15:30).
1408 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411

1200 80
TDHW ηtk, f 100%
Gtk, Gf, Ptk, Pf
[W/m2] [ºC]
70
1000
1 60 75%
1
800
2 50
3
3
600 40 50%

30
400 2
4
20 25%
200
10

Solar Time Solar Time

0 0 0%
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
1 global incident radiation on tracked collector, Gtk 1 tracked collector efficiency, ηtk
2 global incident radiation on fixed collector, Gf 2 fixed collector efficiency, ηf
3 thermal power of the tracked collector, Ptk 3 DHW temperature, TDHW
4 thermal power of the fixed collector, Pf

Fig. 6. Global incident radiation, thermal power output for the Fig. 7. Conversion efficiency for the collectors in continuous forced
collectors in continuous forced circulation. circulation.
75 210 1200
ε, εtk, εitk Tout, Tin, Ta Gh
[deg] [ºC] 4 [W/m2]
180 1000
50
150
3 800
25
120
1
1 600
90
0 2
2 400
60
-25 3
30 200

Solar Time Solar Time

-50 0 0
10:30

12:00

12:30

13:00

13:30

14:00

14:30

15:00

15:30

10:30

12:00

12:30

13:00

13:30

14:00

14:30

15:00

15:30
11:00

11:30

11:00

11:30

1 solar diurnal angle, g

2 forward tracking angle, gtk
1 outlet collector temperature, Tout
2 inlet collector temperature, Tin
3 inverse tracking angle, gitk 3 outdoor air temperature, Ta
4 global radiation on horizontal plane, Gh
Fig. 8. Solar and tracking angles in stagnation conditions. Fig. 9. Global radiation, outdoor and collector inlet/outlet
temperatures in stagnation conditions.

The experimental data show that there is a temperature gradient in the collector (the inlet/outlet temperatures
have differences up to 60ºC before starting the inverse tracking, at 11:30) and this can induce a supplementary stress
on the collector, especially on the absorber plate and on the tubes.
The results also show that:
- the time response to inverse tracking has a variable correspondent in the outlet temperature, depending on
the amount of incident solar radiation;
- an inverse tracking angle of 45º...75º as compared to the forward tracking angle allows a thermal drop that is
registered rather fast, after 20 min.
- there is a minimum inverse tracking angle when temperature drop becomes effective; the results show that
tracking angles lower than 40º are not effective and the temperature in the collector is slowly increasing as
the results registered during 14:30…15:00 outline.
These data show that the inverse tracking is effective when well optimised. Further extended studies are under
development for optimising the inverse tracking angle, in direct correlation with the incident solar radiation and the
utilization regime.
 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411 1409

3.3. Tracking logical flow

Based on these results an operation logical scheme is proposed and is presented in Fig. 10. At a given moment (t)
specified as input parameter, the Solar Thermal Energy Management System (STEMS), selects and launches a
program (described by one of the four subroutines P1…P4), to ensure optimum operation of the thermal solar
system; the concept targets the thermal energy production only when needed, considering energy saving, reliability
and safety. Following programs are proposed for covering common functional situations:
Subroutine P1 - standstill state orientation program: the solar collector is brought during night (after sunset – tss till
sunrise – tsr) to a standstill angular position, where the wind effect is minimal, thus avoiding mechanical stress;
usually, the collector is horizontally placed (if possible) or at null diurnal angle (facing South). The same program
P1 is applied during a cloudy day, when the heating system is normal operating (wr = 0) and the tank can store the
produced heat (Tb < Tbmax). This option is imposed when the diffuse radiation represents more than a given
percentage (k) of the direct radiation and this can be optimized based on the climatic profile (e.g. k = 75%).

STEMS

No
tŒ]tsr, tss ] P1

Yes

Yes
P2 wr = 1
P1 standstill state orientation program
No P2 maximum inverse tracking program
P3 forward tracking program
Dh , Gh , Tin , Tout , Ta , Tb
P4 adaptive inverse tracking program
Bh direct radiation on horizontal plane
Gh global radiation on horizontal plane
Tc = max(Tin,Tout ) k cloudy sky coefficient
t current time
Ta outdoor air temperature
Yes No Tb solar storage tank temperature
Tb<Tbmax
Tbmax solar storage tank maximum allowed
temperature
Tc collector fluid temperature
Yes No
D h>k*Gh Tcmax collector maximum allowed fluid
temperature
Yes No Tin inlet collector temperature
Tc <Tcmax
Tout outlet collector temperature
tsr sunrise time
tss sunset time
P1 P3 P4
wr working regime: 1- holyday; 0-regular
operation

Fig. 10. Adaptive logical flow chart for optimizing the solar-thermal energy conversion using tracked collectors.
1410 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411

Subroutine P2 – maximum inverse tracking program: running when the user switches installation on "holyday"
(wr = 1), characterized by zero energy consumption over a predefined (and rather long) period; the program seeks to
minimize (zero if possible) the daily temperature increase and protects the system against overheating. To this end,
the collector is counter-phase oriented towards extreme East/West positions: before noon, tŒ[tsr, 12:00], the
collector is placed as far West as the angular stroke allows, while in the afternoon the stationary position is shifted
toward extreme East.
Subroutine P3 – forward tracking program aiming to maximally collect global solar radiation is applied in normal
operation of the heating system to ensure DHW needs, when the temperature in the storage tank is lower than the
maximum allowable value (Tb < Tbmax), the collector temperature is lower than a threshold value (T c < Tcmax) and
there is a significant amount of direct radiation (Dh < k·Gh). Usually, solar tracking runs according to an optimized
stepwise program, for a single yearly season or a predefined number of seasons, for optimizing the collection of
direct radiation or global radiation etc. [13, 14].
Subroutine P4 - adaptive inverse tracking program: applied in the stagnation state of the heating system, reaching
maximum allowable temperature in the storage tank or in the event of damaged pumping system, for avoiding
overheating; the inverse tracking algorithm should be designed at angles that allow maintaining the thermal fluid
temperature near the value Tcmax. This functional situation allows fast recovery of the heat in the storage tank when
DHW is consumed.

4. Conclusions

A new concept is proposed for tracking flat plate solar collectors, aiming at producing thermal energy when
needed, as a path for increasing the use of solar radiation and protecting the system against overheating. The concept
is based on making full use of forward tracking, following the incident direct radiation and inverse tracking based on
the thermal response in the solar thermal system. Based on the experimental data it is shown that forward tracking is
highly efficient during periods when direct solar radiation represents over 75% of the global radiation and can
significantly increase the thermal energy output but also supports faster access to the stagnation functional regime,
with overheating risk. Inverse tracking, consisting in counter-phase orientation of the collector, was found effective
at angles higher than 40º (as compared to the forward tracking) and allows fast cooling the collector in stagnation.
This combination of forward and inverse tracking protects the solar-thermal system, increases the efficient operation
lifetime, is safe and reliable and requires no supplementary investment for an already tracked solar-thermal
collector.
Thus, tracking is proposed in the paper for a multi-functionality purpose:
a) as the state of the art shows: increasing the amount of direct solar radiation received by the solar collector,
respectively for solar-thermal energy conversion;
b) reducing overheating without additional opperations (e.g. drainback, covering etc.);
c) functional control for typical exploitation conditions (e.g. holiday season).
A pre-feasibility study shows that, by adding a tracking system to a 3,5kW solar-thermal system with flat plate
collectors, the cost raise with about 25%, which well matches the increase in the amount of solar radiation received
by the collector (about 35%). For larger solar-thermal systems the energy gain allows also reducing the panel
surface, thus reducing the initial costs in large area systems. For the proposed solution, a significant additional
advantage is its multi-functionality, allowing avoiding overheating and thus increasing the lifetime. By combining
the state-of the art advantage (increased amount of direct solar radiation) with the increased lifetime, the result is a
novel, feasible and market acceptable solution.

Acknowledgements

This paper is supported by the project EST IN URBA 28/2012, PN-II-PT-PCCA-2011-3.2-1235, developed
within the program PNII – Partnership in priority domain, with the support of ANCS, CNDI-UEFISCDI.
 Mircea Neagoe et al. / Energy Procedia 48 (2014) 1401 – 1411 1411

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