Simulation-based Evaluation of a Schedule-oriented Control Concept for Dual-axis PV Systems in Hungary

Abstract

As a result of the rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Europe, system operators are faced with challenges caused by deviations between scheduled and actual power generation more and more often, which increases their balancing requirements and operational costs. Ensuring schedule compliance has thus become a critical issue for integrating PV into modern electricity networks. This study introduces and evaluates a novel schedule-oriented control mechanism for dual-axis PV systems, based on a patented concept. Unlike conventional sun-tracking strategies that maximize irradiance capture, the proposed method intentionally adjusts module orientation to minimize deviations from day-ahead and intraday schedules. This represents an innovative shift from generation-maximizing to grid-supportive control, directly addressing system-level balancing needs. The control logic, implemented in Python, was evaluated on Hungarian datasets combining measured and simulated time series, and all analyses were carried out in a simulation environment, with field validation planned in future work. Results show that while the mechanism reduces annual energy yield by around 7% (1164 MWh to 1080 MWh per 1 MWp system), it achieves a >90% reduction in downward regulation requirements (from 8.0% to 0.8% of annual output). Upward regulation requirements decreased only marginally, as these cannot be effectively influenced by control interventions. The results demonstrate that the proposed control mechanism substantially improves schedule compliance while incurring only minor energy yield losses, offering a cost-effective solution for large-scale PV integration.