Validation of an Heliostat Tracking System Based on an ARM-Cortex HIL Using Simulink

Abstract

A type of power plant known as a solar tower power plant or central tower plant uses numerous mirrors, often called heliostats, to concentrate sunlight and direct it towards a central tower. The orientation of the heliostat mirrors is calculated based on various factors including the location of the mirror and tower, the time, and the date. The tracking system for the heliostats is modeled and implemented on an ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller using Simulink, with the controller board interfaced for real-time deployment of equations. Results from simulation and experimentation are presented in the paper.