Reflector based smart solar tracker (RBSST) as a solution of global climate change and its economic analysis for 900VA customer

Abstract

One of the technical disadvantages of solar panels is having low power efficiency. Modifying its mechanical system and adding an automated system can be one way to increase the output power of solar panels. This study initiated the manufacture of solar trackers with a static reflectors and using a modified PID control method. The reflector is used to reflect light to the surface of the solar panel, so it can increase the input power of the solar panel. Based on the test results, the aluminum foil reflector with a slope angle of 70ᶿ can increase the solar panel output power by 3.2% higher than the flat mirror reflector. This solar panel is equipped with smart solar tracking system. The smart system in this research is using the difference between the reading of the light sensor on the top and bottom of the solar panel. Assuming when the difference is equal to zero the position of sunlight is right in the middle of the solar panel. When the difference is not equal to zero there will be an error, since this system includes the single input single output category therefore the PID system can be applied. Modifications are made to the generated PID control signal by adding a nested if condition to adjust the discrete actuator characteristics. The used PID constants are: Kp = 6, Ki = 20 and Kd = 1. The combination of static reflector and modified PID system produce an average output power of 5.75 Watts while static solar panels are 3.98 Watts. These results indicate that the addition of solar trackers and reflectors has succeeded in increasing electric power by an average of 44.47% higher compared to static solar panels. The results of the study also managed to outperform previous studies which only produced a power difference of 6.79%. The results of the economic analysis shows this system is quite competitive when applied to electricity consumers with 900VA power requirements.