Abstract
In recent decades, advances in the development of solar tracking systems (STSs) have led to concentrating solar technologies to increase their energy conversion efficiency. These systems, however, still have areas of opportunity or improving their performance and reducing their manufacturing costs. This paper presents the design, construction and evaluation of a high-precision dual-axis solar tracking system with a technology readiness level of 7–8. The system is controlled by a low-cost Arduino board in a closed-loop control using a micro-electromechanical solar sensor. Real-time tracking experiments were performed under a clear sky as well as during partly and mostly cloudy days. Solar tracking accuracy was evaluated in an operational environment using test procedures adapted from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62817 standard. The total mean instantaneous solar tracking error on a clear day measured with a calibrated digital solar sensor was 0.37° and 0.52° with a developed pinhole projection system. Similarly, the total mean reported solar tracking accuracy achieved was 0.390° on a sunny day and 0.536° on a partially cloudy day. An annual power generation analysis considering a conventional photovoltaic (PV) panel system and a typical concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module as payloads was also presented. Simulations showed an increase in the generation of up to 37.5% for a flat panel with dual-axis tracking versus a fixed panel. In the case of the CPV system, first, a ray tracing study was implemented to determine the misalignment coefficient, then the annual power generation was estimated. The developed STS allowed the CPV modules to reach at least 90% of their nominal energy conversion efficiency.
Highlights
A solar tracking system is a mechatronic device employed to automatically orient the payload towards the Sun’s rays. These devices are mainly used in concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems since they need to collect the direct solar radiation throughout the day for their proper performance
An energy analysis was performed to estimate the increase in energy conversion efficiency in a conventional
An optical-energetic analysis of a concentration PV system was presented, which was performed by the open source Monte Carlo ray tracing program, Tonatiuh
Summary
A solar tracking system is a mechatronic device employed to automatically orient the payload towards the Sun’s rays These devices are mainly used in CPV and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems since they need to collect the direct solar radiation throughout the day for their proper performance. One of the most used configurations, because of their simplicity and high performance, is the vertical primary dual-axis tracker (VPDAT), which is based on a vertical pole-mounted tracker to transfer the load of the structure to the ground [1]. Another common configuration is the horizontal primary dual-axis tracker (HPDAT) which has its primary axis horizontal to the ground, and the secondary axis is normal to the primary axis [1]. The main disadvantages of the VPDAT and HPDAT are their susceptibility to wind loads and the deformation or bending generated by the weight of the payloads
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
