A Hardware-in-the-Loop control strategy of a permanent magnet synchronous motor used in positioning a solar tracker

A hardware-in-the-loop technique is developed to control a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The chosen motor is a commercial one and is used for positioning a solar tracker over the azimuth or the elevation directions. The control strategy was initially tested on a real time controller and adapted afterwards for the given electromechanical system. A Matlab/Simulink simulation is provided for the positioning system of the solar tracker for the azimuth direction. Results concerning the control of the main electrical and mechanical parameters are obtained, proving that an accurate positioning of the solar tracker can be achieved.