A Review on Solar Tracking System: A Technique of Solar Power Output Enhancement

Jamilu Ya’U Muhammad,Ibrahim Baba Kyari,Mohammed Tajudeen Jimoh,Mohammed Abdullahi Gele,Ibrahim Musa

doi:10.11648/j.es.20190401.11

Jamilu Ya’U Muhammad, Ibrahim Baba Kyari + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20190401.11

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Abstract

The renewable energy is a source of energy that does not deplete with time, because of this most of the research focused on this source of energy. Solar energy is among the renewable energy that is free in nature and clean from pollution, but harnessing this energy has limitation due to some environmental conditions. To solve this problem, solar tracking is used. This paper intended to review different solar tracking system that increases the solar power output. The result revealed the solar system with tracking is more efficient compared to that fixed solar system. Furthermore, dual axis tracking system is also more efficient than single axis tracking system due to the fact that dual axis tracking system have ability to track the solar irradiant on both axes. Finally, it is not recommended to use solar trackers with small PV arrays because of the energy consumption of the driving systems, which vary from 2% to 3% of the energy increase delivered by the solar trackers.

Highlights

Nowadays, the world researchers are always finding sources of energy that are clean, renewable, pollution free and have no effect on global warming
To produce the maximum amount of energy, a solar panel must be perpendicular to the light source [2]
From the review work done in this paper, the solar tracking system can either be passive or active solar tracking system, among which active can track the sun trajectory either in one axis or two axes

Summary

Introduction

The world researchers are always finding sources of energy that are clean, renewable, pollution free and have no effect on global warming. Solar tracking is a system that is mechanized to track the position of the sun to increase power output by between 30% and 60% than systems that are stationary [3, 42]. It is a more cost effective solution than the purchase of solar panels. Dual trackers track sun light from both axes They are the best option for places where the position of the sun keeps changing during the year at different seasons. There will be bigger increase in efficiency in cases where the weather is sunny and favorable for the tracking system [5]

Solar Tracking System

Classification of Solar Tracking System

Components of Solar Tracking Systems

Review of the Past Work on Solar Tracking System

Findings

Conclusion