Perancangan Dual-Axis Solar Tracker untuk PLTS dengan Analisis Pengaruh Jumlah Sensor dan Tracking Delay

Abstract

One of the problems with solar power plants is the angle of inclination at the time of installation. Errors in determining the angle would make solar power plants do not produce power optimally. To maximize the power generated by solar power plants, the tilt angle of the solar panel must be adjusted so that it faces directly towards the sun. This research designs a dual-axis solar tracker using a microcontroller, LDR sensor, and servo motor. In addition, the influence of the number of sensors and tracking delay is analyzed to determine the output power of solar panels with different configurations. Testing from 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, where there are 2 days of testing, 2 days of tracking delay testing and 3 days of testing 3 solar panels installed, first dual-axis solar tracker, the rest with 0° and 30° tilt angles. The results of the dual-axis solar tracker design on the x-axis can rotate from 0o to 20o, while the y-axis can rotate from 35° to -17°. Testing using 4 LDR sensors affects the angle change of the solar panel. Tests show tracking delays every 30 minutes and 1 hour have no significant effect. The power generated at a tracking delay of every 30 minutes is greater, but the power consumed is also greater. During the test, it was found that the 1-hour tracking delay produced 1.76% more net power. The last test of dual-axis solar tracker and solar power plant with tilt angles of 0° and 30°. During the test it was found that the dual-axis solar tracker produced 16.89% more power than the 30° tilt angle and 11.42% more than the 0° angle.