Investigation of the feasibility and potential use of sun tracking solutions for concentrated photovoltaic Case study Fez Morocco

Abstract

This paper investigates the requirements, the feasibility and reliability of concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) with trackers in Fez city (Morocco) climate. In a first step, an appropriate sun tracker for a CPV prototype is design-simulated and then, based on finite element analysis, the effect of wind velocity distribution induced charge on the global structure (tracker and CPV module) is investigated for several elevation angle of the CPV unit. For all the investigated configurations, the maximum simulated misalignment still negligible, and is estimated to 4.6 × 10−6°, for a wind speed of 3.3 m/s. As a result, it is anticipated that the examined high CPV system (HCPV) will works safely under these effects. In a second step, using a home-developed Python code, and geometrical solar equations, calculations have been performed to estimate the diffuse, the direct and the global irradiations in this location. Ultimately, the energy performance of the system using System Advisor Model (SAM) software is carried out and compared to some on site real measurements. This simulation process led to a rigorous evaluation of the potential energy production with a tracked CPV panel, proving its viability in Fez Morocco. It also shows the level of accuracy of at least 0.5° that sun-tracking photovoltaic systems are necessary to maintain the least amount of power yield loss, especially for CPV facilities. This research will also serve as a valuable guide for the future sun-tracking CPV system.