Inventors:
Javier C. Berrios - Trumbull CT, US
Brian K. Rosier - Woodbridge CT, US
Scott C. Mathein - Unionville CT, US
International Classification:
G05F 1/46
Abstract:
An apparatus for use in a solar energy facility including a plurality of photovoltaic systems distributed over a local area and a plurality of tracking systems that operate to control orientation of corresponding photovoltaic systems. Each tracking system includes a tracking control unit that employs a wireless network interface for wireless communication over the local area. The apparatus includes a wireless network interface for wireless communication over the local area, a plurality of sensors including a GPS receiver module and an anemometer, a microcontroller operably coupled to the wireless network interface and to the plurality of sensors, a power supply unit (including means for storage of electrical energy) for supplying DC power signals to the apparatus, and at least one photovoltaic cell for converting solar insolation into DC power supply signals that are supplied to the electrical energy storage means of the power supply unit. The microcontroller of the apparatus is programmed to operate in a plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a low power mode where the microcontroller, wireless network interface and the GPS receiver of the apparatus are automatically operated in respective power saving modes in order to reduce load on the power supply unit of the apparatus. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a gateway control element to provide for communication to remote monitoring and control stations. The gateway control element can also operate to facilitate tasks on the local wireless network, such as forming the wireless network and multicast propagation of messages.