Optimal deployment of collectors in a solar field
The optimal design of large solar fields (thermal and photovoltaic) will soon become a relevant and important issue for the penetration of renewable energy forms into the energy market. The optimal design is a non-linear multivariable, partial integer, optimization problem with an objective function, equality and inequality constraints and a set of variable limits. The design takes into account shadowing and masking effects. The field design parameters are the length and breadth of the solar field, the number of collector rows, the distance between the rows and the collector heights and inclination angles. The deployment of stationary and tracking collectors in a solar field were studied with the aim of obtaining maximum energy and minimum cost from the solar plant.