SBIR/STTR Research Award
Self Configuring Solar Tracking System
Award amount
$150,000Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IAward year
2013Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Energy
- Branch
- Not reported
- Recipient company
- Inspired Light, Llc
- Proposal award date
- 2012-11-15
- Contract end date
- Not reported
- UEI
- Not reported
- Solicitation number
- DE-FOA-0000715
- Topic code
- 05b
Research abstract
Inspired Light is developing a high-efficiency Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) system that requires accurate, 2-axis tracking. Available tracking systems are too large, expensive and require specialized setup procedures that are incompatible with a very low cost, versatile deployment strategy. This project will develop and demonstrate feasibility of a self-configuring solar tracking mechanism and controller that will enable low profile, self-contained tracking assemblies to be quickly deployed. The tracker will be controlled by a unique motion-controller that borrows from consumer electronics design to enable simultaneous reductions in size, weight, hardware cost and installation time. Commercial Applications and other Benefits Reducing the balance of system cost and scale for a tracking CPV system will enable broad commercial deployment of higher efficiency and lower cost solar systems than are currently available. Inspired Light intends to market US-built, cost and space efficient systems starting in 2014 that can provide grid parity pollution free electricity without subsidy by 2020.
Technology keywords
Not reported
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