Power Controller for Dual-axis Solar Tracking System using PID

Abstract

Solar energy is one of the rich and unlimited energy sources in Malaysia which can generate power instead of the burning of fossil fuels which can cause air pollution. In this study, a dual-axis solar tracking system is proposed to improve the harvested power. To encourage the maximum output power is produced, PID controller is used. Its function is to achieve the reference power where the angle of the horizontal and vertical axes is considered. The solar radiation is studied from 7 a.m. (0700) to 5 p.m. (1700) according to the habit of solar altitude angle and the azimuth angle in Perlis, Malaysia. There is two PID controllers are developed for the orientation and inclination axis of the solar tracker. The output power between the dual-axis and single-axis of solar tracking system are compared through the simulation in MATLAB Simulink. In conclusion, the dual-axis solar tracker has a better performance than the single-axis solar tracker due to the higher degree of freedom to follow the motion of sun. This maximum power can keep going to the reference power of the photovoltaic module during the greatest radiation of sun depending on the solar altitude and azimuth angle.