Armin Buchroithner (right) and Thomas Neubauer from the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems at Graz University of Technology next to the FLAPTrack demonstration system. Credit: Lunghammer – TU Graz
Researchers led by Armin Buchroithner from the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems at TU Graz have developed an innovative photovoltaic system that combines significantly higher output with protection from storms, hail and snow. The system, known as FLAPTrack (Face-to-Face Lay-Down Anti-Degradation Protection), continuously aligns the PV modules with the sun's position both horizontally and vertically.
At night and when a storm is approaching, the modules fold up automatically, protecting them from damage and possible shading caused by snow and dust. A demonstration system with a capacity of 1.8 kWp is currently operating on the roof of an office building on the Campus Inffeldgasse of Graz University of Technology (TU Graz).
The work is published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
Patented folding mechanism
