Design, implementation and performance analysis of a dual-axis autonomous solar tracker

Abstract

This paper proposed a design, implementation & performance of an energy efficient solar tracking system based on closed loop technique. This solar tracking system is autonomous dual axis hybrid type. Solar efficiency depends on PV cell and its tracking system. In our works we concentrate on the panel tracking system. Our tracking system is a sensor based tracking system and it can track the sun continuously. A sensor placed on the surface of the panel and sensor compare light intensity continuously. Then our control unit sends signal to actuator unit to reposition the panel. This system is energy efficient because the actuator unit shut down in cloudy weather and turns on in sunny weather. Powerful microcontroller used to calculate and evaluate the light intensity form sensor unit, then send instruction to actuator unit. For graceful and accurate angular motion we used the servo actuator system. It's no need additional real time clock to track annual motion and daily motion because it's based on active closed loop system. Our implemented design is more efficient and convenient than other tracker