Performance Evaluation of the Designed Two-Axis Solar Tracking System for Trabzon

Abstract

In this paper, a photovoltaic system, which can move both east–west directions horizontally and in a north–south vertically, is designed according to the sun’s angle of incidence. Experimental studies have been carried out on this system, which can follow the change of the sun’s daily angle depending on the local time throughout the day. This study was evaluated for one of the cloudy provinces of Turkey: Trabzon. Optimum motor steps of the two-axis solar tracking system were determined, according to the open-loop control system in order that solar rays reach a perpendicular (90°) to the system. The power generation performance of the two-axis solar tracking system prototype was compared with that of a PV panel, which has a fixed position facing the south. Experimental studies were carried out for three cloudy days. The average power obtained from the fixed system is 12.5, 11.15, and 12.77 W, and the designed system generated 15.67, 14.05, and 15.79 W power, respectively. The results show that the designed system generates approximately 24.7% more power than the 45° fixed-tilted system with the proposed method. In Trabzon, that the number of sunny days is low encourages the widespread use of the two-axis solar tracking system design. The prototype will be an inspiration for researchers who want to generate maximum energy from solar tracking systems in cloudy places or any locations.