Abstract
The efficiency of the solar system is affected by the angle between a photovoltaic (PV) panel and sun. More direct sun light on PV modules leads to enhanced energy yield. Therefore, tracking systems are implemented to improve the performance of PV system by tracking sun trajectory. With the advent of different applications of PV solar power, system planners have been implementing different strategies and techniques to maximize the output of solar system with commonly available technology in market. The foremost purpose of this study was to provide comparison of energy yield for timer based tracker controlled PV system and fixed angle PV system. Furthermore, implementation cost and payback analysis for both types of systems have also been done. This study is performed to find the feasibility of tracker system installation based on energy generation over sizable period of time. The base line results of this study were obtained via software based simulation techniques as well as physical implementation of simulated system to analyze the various parameters. Various simulation software (mainly PVsyst and Meteonorm) are used. Tracker based PV system and fixed angle PV system were designed and simulated via PVsyst 5.61 software. Both the simulated systems were practically installed and analyzed in real time conditions. Additionally, various mathematical techniques were utilized to analyze the results gathered from simulations and physical implementation. Results of this study are based on two types of analysis. First, comparison of simulated with real time measured values for the systems. Secondly, cost benefit analysis of both technologies is done in terms of payback period. This work differs from the rest as both PV systems were simulated and practically implemented to get appropriate results and mainly all the equipment and services utilized in installation are widely available in local market. As tracker based PV systems seem less viable in market due to the recent cost reduction of PV modules, so in this study the feasibility of tracker based PV systems is analyzed.
Highlights
Excessive demand of electrical energy is leading towards usage of diverse power sources in modern power system
Timer based solar tracking automatically adjust the solar panel at more optimum position based on time with the help of servo motor connected to solar panel [4]
Another important factor analyzed in this study, is cost analysis of fixed angle vs tracker based solar power system (SPS)
Summary
Excessive demand of electrical energy is leading towards usage of diverse power sources in modern power system. An algorithm developed by interfacing external RTC with microcontroller to control the position of PV modules using linear actuators. In this method, a relationship is developed between time and sun position with experiments in day time. A relationship is developed between time and sun position with experiments in day time Another important factor analyzed in this study, is cost analysis of fixed angle vs tracker based solar power system (SPS). It is quite obvious that the tracker based SPS cost more than the fixed angle but the main ambiguity lies in the question that: Does the increased energy yield pays back the tracker system price or not?
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