Axis Solar Tracking Research Articles

The novel algorithm of dual-axis solar tracker in severe weather condition

Fulfilling the energy demand by using fossil fuel is still heavily dependent. Eco-friendly-based energy like solar energy is being employed. Solar energy possess the potential to adequately fulfil more than ten times of current energy demand, which means it is profitable in terms of energy and environment. Harvesting solar energy using solar cells has issues with its efficiency. The tracking system is believed to enhance the efficiency of solar panels. In other hand, the current system failed when it comes to severe. Global horizon irradiance in severe weather, solar radiation is scattered evenly in the horizontal plane. So, adding the diffused irradiance parameter to the algorithm hopefully tackle the double axis solar tracker (DAST) current issues. This DAST system uses Arduino Uno as the main control. Light dependent resistor (LDR) as a sensor in the DAST system. Servo motor as an actuator is used. Experiment result in sunny day, cloudy day, and rainy day, respectively 59.67Wh, 38.20 Wh, and 2.5 Wh. In other hand, a fixed tilt angle system generates 46.51 Wh on sunny day, 29.84 Wh on cloudy day, and 1.95 Wh on rainy day.

Effect of Single Axis Solar Tracking System on the Performance of Photovoltaic System: A Comparative Experimental Study

Nowadays the demand for energy increased rapidly duo to escalating population and global technological development. Consequently, the focus on non-conventional energy sources is increasing rapidly due to change in climates and unhealthy environment caused by fossil fuels. Solar energy is vital to fulfill this growing need of clean energy. The performance of the photovoltaic (PV) technology used for capturing sun’s radiation is directly affected by solar irradiation. The optimum performance of the PV systems would be possible if the solar panel is always orientated towards the direction of maximum radiations of sun. Hence, in order improve the performance of the PV, tracking of maximum radiation of the sun is extremely important. In this experimental study, solar tracking is done using a single axis solar sun tracker which not only provides accurate but also cost efficient solar sun tracking in comparison with an existing stationary system of same capacity. The results show that a single axis solar tracking systems have generated approximately 28.3% more compared to static systems and is also found to be more economic than a solar tracking system which uses microcontroller.

Dual Axis Solar Tracker Using Astronomic Method Based Smart Relay

Solar energy is a renewable energy. Solar energy can be utilized using solar panels. The use of solar panels mostly uses static or silent methods. The static method on solar panels cannot produce optimal electrical energy. This is because the intensity of sunlight received by solar panels is less than optimal. So that the resulting electrical energy is not optimal. Therefore we need a system that can control solar panels automatically. this system must also be able to follow the direction of movement of sunlight. This study discusses the dual axis solar tracker using smart relay-based astronomical methods. This study adjusts the angle of the solar panels to determine the movement of the sun. This study uses a smart relay to regulate the rotation of the DC motor (Linear Actuator) and the motor power window which functions as a driving force for solar panels. Astronomical method is used for tracking sunlight. This method is based on the position of the sun according to the lunar calendar. This method uses an angle sensor in the form of a variable resistor for elevation and a rotary encoder as an azimuth angle sensor. The results obtained from this study are the optimal electrical energy output from solar energy.

NpTrack: A n-Position Single Axis Solar Tracker Model for Optimized Energy Collection

The single axis solar tracker based on flat panels is used in large solar plants and in distribution-level photovoltaic systems. In order to achieve this, the solar tracking systems generally need to work by tracking the sun’s position with dozens, maybe hundreds of movements along the day with a maximal known tracking error within the specifications. A novel model is proposed along this work based on the control of the angle deviation within a (polar) single axis configuration. This way an optimization of the harnessing of solar energy can be achieved with as few panel displacements as possible in order to decrease the wear in the mechanical parts of the equipment and the energy consumed by it. This tracking approach was implemented with as few as seven positions along the day and got an estimated theoretical value of 99.27% of the total collected energy in a continuous tracking system. Regarding an annual average basis, it would be about 96.5% of a dual axis system according to the proposed model. The novelty of the model is related to a tradeoff between the gain with the simplicity of a single axis n-position tracking and the solar energy loss associated.

A comprehensive review on solar cooker tracking techniques for performance enhancement

The paper provides a review on solar tracking system for solar cooker and its potential in increasing its efficiency. This paper mainly discusses the solar trackers for increasing the work output. This technique assists in increasing the amount of radiation falling on solar cookers. The types of solar tracking based on their degree of freedom are single axis solar tracking system and dual axis solar tracking system and its classification are discussed in this paper. The solar tracker types based on the actuating systems are also discussed. The tracking system suitable for the solar cooking applications is mentioned in this paper.

Arduino Based Dual Axis Solar Tracking System with Voltage and Temperature Measurement

Arduino Based Dual Axis Solar Tracking System with Voltage and Temperature Measurement

Theoretical Comparative Energy Efficiency Analysis of Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems

This paper developed a theoretical model substantially based on the principle that only the normal component of solar radiation is actually converted into electrical energy. This theoretical model helped to predict minimum and maximum daily energy gain (compared to static PV system tilted with certain angle) when using dual axis PV solar tracking systems, at any given location on earth without prior experimental data. Based on equations derived from model, minimum and maximum energy gain is computed and summarized in tables of minimum and maximum. Furthermore, the model equations could be used to set up future experimental studies related to the matter.

On the Design and Construction of a Dual Axis Solar Tracker Prototype for a Dish Concentrator using ATMega3298P Microcontroller

The desire for reliable power supply is the reason for further research into alternative sources of power. Although solar tracking is not a new technology, yet solar harvesters still suffer low efficiency due to the intermittence of solar insolation. Thus many smart systems have been designed to maximise solar harvesters. Among the systems is the dual axis solar tracking system. For demonstration of the tracking system, a prototype was developed as a model for a conventional tracking system. It met its objective of tracking solar irradiance and accordingly re-orient the payload in real time to the point of maximum solar insolation. Testing and observation using the developed prototype gave evidence to the fact that solar trackers can increase the efficiency of solar harvesters. The results showed steady solar tracking for 6 h starting from 9:00 am-3:15 pm. The sensitivity of the sensors allow the system to track solar insolation as low as >5 lumen. The entire system was powered by 5 volts which made it energy efficient and can be run at low cost.

A New Design Arduino-Based Dual Axis Solar Tracking System

Green and clean energy depends meanly on the Solar energy, especially at urban area. This paper presents the Arduino-based new design of dual-axis solar tracking system with high-efficiency using through the use of five-point sunlight sensors. The main objective of this research is to convert the maximum sunlight to electrical power by auto movement of the solar panel. This research is divided into two stages, first stage related to hardware design and the second related to software development. In hardware design, five light dependent resistors (LDR) have been used for tracking light direction source. Two linear actuators have been used to move the solar panel towards the maximum light intensity direction by using LDR sensors. Moreover, the software is constructed using C++ programming language and uploaded to the Arduino UNO platform. The efficiency of the designed tracking system has been examined and compared with fixed and single axis solar tracker and results shows that the new system has better efficiency than the fixed or single axis system.

Design and implementation of an automatic solar tracking system for a monocrystalline silicon material panel using MPPT algorithm

The energy crisis is the biggest problem in the world today. Renewable energy resources are gaining worldwide priorities to reduce reliance on traditional resources. Solar energy is gaining prompt attention as significant means of increasing uses of renewable energy. Owing to variability in the day night cycle and also owing to seasonal changes, the variability in solar energy occurs daily. World population is increasing quite rapidly. Non-renewable energy sources such as oil and coal have been extinguishing for the past decade, making it a severe problem to supply the planet with sustainable electricity. Yet, solar power plays an important primary energy role. This paper introduces a dual axis solar tracking device from which maximum solar energy can be collected by implementing the work by coding a suitable Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm for a Monocrystalline solar panel. This work is carried out using microcontroller, Light Dependent Resistor (LDR), dc motor, and Arduino.

Analysis and implementation of a solar tracking rack system

Solar energy is the most feasible source of renewable energy especially in sun rich regions like Africa. In particular, electrically epileptic country like Nigeria with current power output of only about 3.5GW of energy has a relatively long sunny period for about 90% of the year, making Nigeria very rich in solar power. Maximally harnessing solar energy into usable electricity however, is still a fundamental problem as the existing models can harness only about 70% of the available energy. To maximally harness solar energy, a solar panel must be perpendicular to the energy source for all 12hours of sunlight availability, and must be able to follow the sun’s movement all day long. Accordingly, this work considers the analysis, construction, and implementation of a single axis solar tracking dynamic system. Experimental result show that the proposed system outperforms the conventional static solar tracking system.
 Keywords: solar energy, single axis, harvesting-solar energy.

Sensorless dual axis solar tracker using improved sun position algorithm

This paper presents development of a prototype sensorless dual axis solar tracker for maximum extraction of solar energy. To prove the concept and evaluate the proposed algorithm, a low cost widely availabe materials were used which was programmed based on Arduino microcontroller. The porposed algorithm works based on two search methods namely the global search that approximates the best point location in a region, and local search that further determines the actual sun’s position. Experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm gives better performance compared to the existing sun position algorithm (SPA) - based method as well as the fixed panel system. In terms of total output power, the proposed algorithm gives 17.96% more efficient than the fixed system and 6.38% better than the SPA-based system. Furthermore, the percentage error of the experimental measured angle to the actual sun azimuth angle was relatively minimal (less than 3%) during clear day operation. The system was proven to be effective in tracking the sun for improved energy production of solar PV panels and the proposed algorithm also can be used for designing the tracker with larger size of solar PV systems.

Dual Axis Solar Tracking System with LDR

Dual Axis Solar Tracking System with LDR

Optimization of light-dependent resistor sensor for the application of solar energy tracking system

Optimization of cadmium sulfide light-dependent resistor (CdS-LDR) sensor is one of the suitable circuit elements to be used as the sun-pointing sensor. The sun-pointing sensor is used in solar energy tracking systems to capture maximum power by photovoltaic (PV) cells or systems at the time of uniform or partial irradiance of the sun and effect of shade during clouds. PV cells or modules’ generating power is affected due to partial shading. The PV cells are able to produce maximum power, as long as the sun’s irradiance is projected perpendicular to the panel’s surface. Optimization of light-dependent resistor CdS-LDR sensor is designed based on the intensity of the sun. A relation is obtained between intensity and photo-resistance of CdS-LDR sensor with coefficient of regression ( $${R}^{2}$$ ) value of 0.99. Maximum intensity of the sun is captured using CdS-LDR sensor which is designed with characteristic curve of intensity and photo-resistance using power algorithm. Minimum dull intensity of the sunlight is used to place the panel in initial position. In addition to that cloud effects with sudden transients are also analyzed using temperature humidity index term. The power gained by optimized dual axis solar tracking (DAST) system is 50.63% with reference to fixed panel. The generated power of DAST system is also analyzed under shading effect of cloud. Data are collected for every 2–3 s of time interval from 6:32:00 to 17:38:33 using real-time virtual instrumentation Parallax Data Acquisition tool.

Optimal Configuration and Sizing of an Integrated Renewable Energy System for Isolated and Grid-Connected Microgrids: The Case of an Urban University Campus

Although renewable technologies are progressing fast, there are still challenges such as the reliability and availability of renewable energy sources and their cost issues due to capital intensity that hinder their broad adoption. This research aims at developing a configuration-sizing approach to enhance the cost efficiency and sourcing reliability of renewable energies integrated in microgrids. To achieve this goal, various technologies were considered, such as solar PV, wind turbines, converters, and batteries for system configuration with minimization of net present cost (NPC) as the objective. Grid connection scenarios with up to 100% renewable contribution were analyzed. The results show that the integration of renewable technologies with some grid backup could reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) to about half of the price of the electricity that the university purchases from the grid. Also, different kinds of solar tracker systems were studied. The outcome shows that by using a vertical axis solar tracker, the LCOE of the system could be reduced by more than 50 percent. This research can help the decision-maker to opt for the best scenarios for generating reliable and cost-efficient electricity.

Energy Potential Estimation of the Region’s Solar Radiation Using a Solar Tracker

Research results are yielded proving the great potential of renewable and alternative energy sources of the Republic of Tajikistan, including solar energy, equal to 25 billion kW h per year. The limited use of “green energy” will impose to periodic blackouts of electric consumers in the autumn-winter period. For remedy the emerging lack of energy, a more complete idea of the potential of solar energy is required. The paper provides the estimation of the energy potential of solar radiation in the Pamir regions and the south of Tajikistan. The mathematical model for definition of maximum value of the azimuth angle for the Pamir region is presented. Expressions for an assessment of functioning of two systems and increments of solar radiation and energy potential, by taking into account duration of daylight are offered. Measurements and calculations of monthly, seasonal and annual levels of solar radiation were performed based on the use of two technical systems. It was shown that the energy efficiency of the dual axis solar tracker (DAST) significantly exceeds the efficiency of the static solar system (SSS) especially in the autumn, spring and summer seasons. A comparative analysis of solar energy production and the efficiency of two systems with the use of a solar tracker for a biaxial tracking system and a fixed system is given. It is shown that the annual productivity of the DAST compared with the SSS is on average by 30% higher. In the autumn, the movable system can generate 80% more energy relative to the stationary arrangement of solar panels. Assessment of the solar potential of the regions of Tajikistan proves the feasibility of using this potential as suitable resource for the development of energy, complementing hydrogeneration.

A Review on Design and Development of Dual Axis Solar Tracker Using Parabolic Solar Panel

A Review on Design and Development of Dual Axis Solar Tracker Using Parabolic Solar Panel

Proposed Design for Single Axis Photovoltaic Solar Tracker

Our energy needs increase day by day, so the search for a renewable source of energy has become a necessity of life. Photovoltaic solar energy (PVSE) is one of the most important sources in our community because it is clean and renewable. This paper discusses improvement the production energy from this source by using practical design of single axis solar tracking system. The designed solar tracking system used microcontroller Arduino Mega, real time clock (RTC), limit switches and servo motor. The mechanism of the designed solar tracker is applied by moving the solar structure to track the sun on better angle to be perpendicular to the sun to get the most energy from it using the RTC and limit switches. Comparison between solar tracking system and fixed system reveal that the system is more economic and larger power production. This tracking system is designed and tested in real environmental in Qena governorate in Egypt. The 10 kW solar power plants are used as a case study for this system. Comparison between the proposed solar tracking system and the solar fixed system for the same demand is performed using PVsyst software as theoretically. Also, economic viability between the two practical systems is produced.

Efficient single and dual axis solar tracking system controllers based on adaptive neural fuzzy inference system

Artificial Intelligence is widely used in solar applications. Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) principle is one of the intelligent techniques that is sufficient to be used in control systems. This paper proposes two new efficient intelligent solar tracking control systems based on ANFIS principle. The aim of this paper is to design and implement efficient single and dual-axis solar tracking control systems that can increase the performance of solar trackers, predict the trajectory of the sun across the sky accurately, and minimize the error, therefore, maximize the energy output of solar tracking systems. Experimental data are used to train and test the proposed solar tracking controllers by using month, day and time as input variables to predict the optimum positions for solar tracking systems (tilt/orientation angles). The proposed ANFIS models have been evaluated to find its capability and robustness in tracking the optimum angles that gain the maximum solar radiation. It is found that the proposed controllers are optimum to control solar tracking systems with high prediction rate and the low error rate. Besides, the selected variables along with the selected architecture could successfully predict the optimum tilt and orientation angles. The proposed models provide superior results with five membership functions, and it could obtain high performance for both single-axis and dual-axis solar tracking systems.

Design and Implement of Dual Axis Solar Tracker System Based Arduino

The computer control plays important role in the solar cell design and development of dual axis solar tracker for the sun's position. The main goal of this paper is to maximize energy output to reduce panel temperature (cooling), to increase efficiency of the PV panel. Small-scale solar is developed through a complete hardware and software in order to function accurately. The main parts in this work are Arduino Uno R3, kit relay, LDR (Light Dependent Resistor), LM35 (temperature sensor), high-efficiency solar panel and satellite motor. The Protuse software is used with (Arduino Uno) as embedded computer control. The results show the effectiveness of the complete tracking system.