Dual-axis Sun Tracking Research Articles

Design and implementation of a dual-axis sun tracker for an Arduino-based micro-controller photovoltaic system

This research investigates the optimization of solar panel performance by designing and implementing a low-cost Dual-Axis Sun Tracker (DAST) for an Arduino-based Microcontroller Photovoltaic System. The primary aim is to enhance solar energy extraction by precisely aligning the panel perpendicular to the sun's position, maximizing output voltage and current efficiency compared to fixed systems. The DAST employs two micro servo motors, SG90, controlled by a specialized chronological algorithm in offline mode, ensuring strategic alignment and scheduled adjustments. A comprehensive evaluation of the DAST's performance is conducted, contrasting it with a Fixed System to underscore the advantages of solar tracking. As a result, a DAST produces higher output than a fixed system by 0.896W during sunny days and 0.206W during cloudy days. Besides, the efficiency of PV panels in the DAST is 71.65%, and fixed is 49.66% during sunny days, while DAST is 22.96% and fixed is 17.91% during cloudy days.

Solar Radiation Tracking Design Based on Photoelectric Sensor for Tracing Signal Reconstruction Algorithm

Due to the high precision, low power requirements, and maintenance-free nature, the four-quadrant photoelectric sensor (FQPS) and the laser displacement sensor are employed in the development of the two-axis solar tracker. Among them, when designing the optical path of the FQPS, a cavity-wandering optical path is introduced to control the spot size of the direct sunlight falling on the sensor. The sensor interface has five data transmission lines, of which four positive poles correspond to the four quadrants of the planar two-dimensional coordinate system. AD7793 is used as the signal collector and a differential amplifier with small clutter is integrated. A laser displacement sensor is installed in the solar radiation tracker to realize the self-correction of movement error. The main control circuit adopts DSP chip TMS320F28335 for the whole dual-axis sun tracker. In the experiment, Code Composer Studio was used for development, and SPA algorithm was used to measure the position. A number of error correction variables, such as year, month, day, time, minute, second, ΔT, time zone, longitude, latitude, etc., are added to the algorithm. After debugging the hardware and software, the sunrise and sunset times of a certain place on the solar terms such as spring equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox and winter solstice in 2022 are tested, and compared with those released by the Meteorological Bureau. The tracking signal is rebuilt using proximal gradient descent technology. The results demonstrate that the signal-to-noise ratio under the reconstruction algorithm is continuously enhanced and tends to stabilize with an increase in sampling rate without noise, and it exhibits good signal reconstruction performance in the presence of noise and growing noise.

IOT Based Dual Axis Solar Module Tracking Using Cloud Computing

Abstract: We require various kind of energy to survive. Solar energy, which leaves no waste or harmful residue behind, is one of the cleanest and most sustainable energy sources. To exercise it easily, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can be employed. The bulk of solar panels, it has been observed, are installed at set angles. In order to capture as much incident solar energy as possible and improve the system's performance ratio, the solar tracking device is employed to maintain the solar panel pointed towards the sun throughout the day. Consequently, this research investigates a dual axis sun tracking system from a two-dimensional perspective. carried out to plot a trajectory of where we are on the efficiency map, it was discovered that the current 35–43% effectiveness of two axis tracking arrangement. Second, a general functional model of how an efficient and effective is derived from the review above. Solar panels, two DC motors, an LDR sensor module, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an electrical circuit typically make up the hardware portion.

Effect of Weather Dynamics to Energy Yield of Dual Axis Sun Tracker-Based Solar PV generation

Generally, solar PV Panel is constructed at fix tilted angle at different locations, such as: street light poles, rooftops, residential buildings, and canopy. The energy production from solar PV generation system is vary and influenced by site (location) and weather parameters. Solar PV generation analyzed in this research is Dual Axis Sun Tracker (DAST) Solar PV Generation. Dual axis sun tracker is a system controller to ensure solar PV panel following the sun path. Furthermore, energy production from DAST-based solar PV generation were measured and collected using energy meter as well as by using automatic weather station for the weather parameters. From these measrument data, it can be correlated the influence of weather parameters to the energy production from DAST PV generation system. The correlation between weather parameters and energy production are analyzed by statistical analysis using SPSS software and multiple linear regression models. From the results and analysis, it can be shown the amount of energy production from DAST-based solar PV Generation are influenced by weather parameters, namely: temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, and solar radiation with significant level up to 98.2%.

Performance Comparison Between LDR and Phototransistor Sensor for Dual-Axis Sun Tracker Sensor Based on Tetrahedron Geometry

Solar energy is optimally obtained by solar cells when the solar cells are perpendicular to the sun's position, so a sun tracker is needed to track the sun precisely. This research compares the electrical power used in two system dual-axis sun trackers with a tetrahedron geometry that uses an LDR sensor with a phototransistor sensor. The two sun trackers are built identically and the experimental data with the servo movement and the solar cell load are carried out side by side. The servo motor controls with Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) algorithm controls the movement of the dual-axis sun tracker. Data were obtained by recording the voltage and current received by the solar cells installed on the two sun trackers and comparing the results. The results showed that the phototransistor sensor performs better than the LDR sensor. This can be seen from the amount of power generated by the phototransistor sensor which is more than the power generated by the LDR sensor on the solar cell. The solar energy received by sun tracker uses a phototransistor sensor average 40% more than sun tracker uses an LDR sensor.

Control strategy for a dual-axis sun tracker based on a radiometric cube to maximize the power output of the PV system

The use of solar energy as an energy source is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a photovoltaic system, the use of a sun tracker can produce up to 40% more energy than a fixed system. However, it is important, especially in temperate climates, to have an effective control strategy that can adapt the movement of the solar tracker for all weather conditions. This work presents a new control strategy for a dual-axis sun tracker based on a radiometric cube with four photodiode sensors on its East, West, South and Zenith faces. The optimal direction that maximises the irradiance received by the sun tracker can be determined through the mathematical expression of the irradiances on the four faces of the cube, considering an isotropic model for the diffuse luminance of the sky. This new control strategy adjusts the movement of the solar tracker to an optimal position in all weather conditions. The proposed control strategy provides a 40.5% gain in energy output on a cloudy day compared to the standard chronometric sun tracking strategy. For periods of clear and highly variable sky, the difference between the two strategies is only 0.15% and 1%.

Novel high precision low-cost dual axis sun tracker based on three light sensors

This study aims to test a new type of dual axes solar tracker based on just three Light Dependent Resistors (LDR) as optical sensors in order to achieve a high precision sun tracking that satisfies the requirements of solar concentration systems. This new system is integrated into a solar concentrator that uses a set of Fresnel mirrors and an evacuated tube collector as an absorber so that it can be used as a solar water heater. The 3D-printed support that holds LDRs have three compartments to maintain the three LDRs firmly in their place. One is placed on the left and the other on the right side of the support. These two LDRs are responsible for the azimuthal tracking while the third LDR is placed in the center and its responsibility is elevation tracking. This central LDR is covered under an alveolus hollow tube with a length of 45mm crossed all along its center with a 0.4mm slot that lets sun rays reach the central LDR at the bottom of the alveolus hollow tube. A setup was made to collect data based on a pyranometer and three thermocouples positioned at specific points on the evacuated tube collector to record the temperature variation.

Modeling and simulation of novel dynamic control strategy for grid-connected photovoltaic systems under real outdoor weather conditions using Fuzzy–PI MPPT controller

ABSTRACT This paper proposes the modeling and simulation of a novel dynamic control strategy for 2.4 kWp single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic systems under real outdoor weather conditions using an intelligent Fuzzy–PI MPPT controller. The PV array in the first case is fixed and tilted at a 32° angle, whereas the PV array in the second is equipped with dual-axis sun tracking. The objective is to deliver the maximum power from the PV array and to improve the drawbacks of the classical MPPT control. The optimization is performed using a real-time daily profile of Ghardaia, Algeria (32.24°N – 3.24°W). The proposed MPPT controller (Fuzzy PI MPPT) is optimized under different climatic scenarios based on four selected typical days: the first two days in winter and the second two days in summer. An analysis of the performance and simulation of a photovoltaic conversion system associated with a solar tracker, comparing it from an energy point of view with a fixed photovoltaic converter, has been carried out in Matlab/Simulink software. The results show that grid-connected PV with dual solar tracking enhances the PV array output power efficiency by about 25% compared to a similar fixed PV system. The results show that higher injected power quality is achieved and the overall system has higher efficiency.

Rancang Bangun Dual Axis Sun Tracker Menggunakan Motor DC Power Window CSD60-B

Sun tracker technology is one of the mechatronic devices to optimize the electrical energy rays from the sun's rays by directing the solar panel plane to follow the sun's direction. This research aims to design and manufacture an effective dual axis sun tracker so as to maximize the absorption of solar energy. The benefits of the research provide a design concept and a mechanical prototype of a dual axis sun tracker with a capacity of 200 Wp which is able to detect light sources using a CSD60-B DC motor in the driving system. The research method using the Conceptual Design method is a research method used in product manufacture with product development and analysis produced systematically and regularly. The results of the research on the design of a dual axis sun tracker using a DC motor CSD60-B resulted in a mechanical structural design with 3 main components, namely horizontal plane components, vertical plane components, and legs components as well as the effectiveness of the motor work applied in the product prototype. specification of horizontal plane dimensions with a length of 1494 mm, a width of 1024 mm, with the use of a shaft diameter of 57 mm and a pillow block UCP212-26 as a support for the work of the axis, a vertical plane component with a length of 1200 mm with the use of a transmission shaft of 60 mm and 2 units of pillow block UCF212 as a support for the work of the shaft, and components of the legs which have a length of 1508 mm, a width of 1008 mm, and a height of 548 mm. The effectiveness of the motor work obtained in the application in the drive system for the horizontal plane component is 123.16% and 89.38% in the vertical plane component.

Performance Comparison between Fixed and Dual-Axis Sun-Tracking Photovoltaic Panels with an IoT Monitoring System in the Coastal Region of Ecuador

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems are one of the most widely deployed renewable technologies in the world. The efficiency of solar panels has been studied during the last few decades, and, to date, it has not been possible to displace the production of energy using crystalline silicon wafer-based technology whose efficiency has reached values around 26.1%. Moreover, using solar tracking PV systems has become a feasible alternative to increase the electric output of PV silicon technologies instead of using the conventional fixed PV installation on a flat or sloping surface. The following study has compared fixed and dual-axis sun-tracking PV panels in order to quantify the enhancement associated with the amount of energy harvested when using dual-axis tracking PV systems in the city of Manta, located in a coastal region of Ecuador. In order to carry out this study, an IoT monitoring system based on Raspberry Pi3 and Arduino platforms was used. Measurements of solar radiation (W/m2), light intensity (Lux), temperature (°C), short-circuit current (A), and open-circuit voltage (V) were taken every minute for both systems. The results prove that the dual-axis tracking PV system produces, on average, 19.62% more energy than the static PV system. These results present an 8.62% energy increase with respect to a previous study carried out in an equatorial region with similar characteristics to those of the city of Manta, where a one-axis tracking PV system was used.

Novel High Precision Low Cost Dual Axis Sun Tracker Based on Three Light Sensors

Novel High Precision Low Cost Dual Axis Sun Tracker Based on Three Light Sensors

Comprehensive Methodology to Evaluate Parasitic Energy Consumption for Different Types of Dual-Axis Sun Tracking Systems

A dual-axis sun tracking system is an essential strategy to maximize the optical efficiency of harnessing solar energy. However, there is no significant study yet to optimize the net performance of the photovoltaic (PV) or concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system equipped with a dual-axis sun tracking system. Parasitic energy loss associated with the power consumption of the sun tracking system is one of the major concerns for the solar industrial players. To address this issue, a comprehensive methodology has been developed to evaluate the yearly cumulative range of motion for dual-axis sun tracking systems in the cases of with and without fixed parking positions across the latitudes ranging from 45°N to 45°S. The parasitic energy consumptions have been investigated for three selected types of dual-axis sun tracking systems, i.e., the azimuth-elevation sun tracking system (AE-STS), polar dual-axis sun tracking system (PD-STS), and horizontal dual-axis sun tracking system (HD-STS). The simulated results indicate that the dual-axis sun tracking system with the nonfixed parking (or stow) position has lower yearly cumulative parasitic energy consumption with respect to the sun tracking system with a fixed parking position. Lastly, our simulation result has shown that the parasitic energy consumption of the sun tracking is relatively smaller to that of the electrical energy generated by the concentrator photovoltaic system with the ratio between 0.15% and 0.29% for AE-STS, between 0.15% and 0.30% for PD-STS, and between 0.17% and 0.35% for HD-STS.

A Research Study to Increase Usage of PVs in Residential Areas

Self-generation of energy by residential houses has been met with many obstacles. When PV Solar energy technology is considered, the barriers manifest in problems related to the location, slope, strength, and shade exposure of house roofs are the most common. Therefore, it is not possible to meet daily energy needs from PV panels placed on the existing roofs of many houses. Solar Tracking Systems keep PV panels perpendicular to the Sun throughout the day, providing a significant increase in their efficiency. But the application of these systems on the roofs or houses is not suitable for many reasons, especially in terms of aesthetic appearance. This article is aimed at effectively showing how the slope and direction inconsistencies in the existing roofs of houses in residential areas cause great losses in the performance of PVs; also a research and design study is presented to find a solution to the application of Sun tracking systems in residential areas without creating aesthetic appearance problem. As a solution, combining a dual axis Sun tracking system with an aesthetic looking Gazebo has been considered. A design study was carried out for the targeted system, and the dimensions of a movable platform/roof such a system should have in order to meet the electricity needs of a house from the Sun throughout the year was investigated. How much energy the PV panels can collect annually is determined by a simulation program called “PV performance tool”.

Competitive complex particle swarm optimization: An efficient algorithm for optimization of linear-rotational sun-tracking control parameters

ABSTRACT Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a well-established heuristic global optimization algorithm inspired on the social behaviors observed in flocking birds. Premature convergence is major issues in PSO that may converge prematurely around the local optima. In this paper, control parameters of a new dual axis sun tracking system are optimized by an improved variant of particle swarm optimization, named as competitive complex multi-leader particle swarm optimization (CCPSO). Good properties of the proposed algorithm such as clustering, dispersion control, enhancement fitness in clustering and competitive complex evolution approach not only enable the algorithm to have an enhanced and systematic global search in high dimensional problems but also can make balance between the exploration and extraction and as a result prevent from premature convergence. These characteristics make the algorithm robust, effective and fast. The proposed algorithm results in more efficiency for the power generation of a new dual-axis sun-tracker by seeking the optimal solution of control parameters for single-axis and dual axis modes (e.g.: 823.2 Wh surplus energy in 7 h effective sunlight, 49% energy production using linear-rotational with respect to fixed-axis, and etc). Finally, to show the performance and the efficiency of the proposed method, the tracking speed, and energy consumption of motors are compared with algorithms in different climates.

Indoor Daylighting and Thermal Response of a Passive Solar Building to Selective Components of Solar Radiation

Solar radiation provides the most significant natural energy in buildings for space heating and daylighting. Due to atmospheric interference, solar radiation received at the Earth’s surface consists of direct beam and diffuse radiation, where diffuse can be further broken down into longwave and visible radiation. Although each of these components co-occurs, their influence on the indoor visual and thermal conditions of a building differ. This study aims to analyze the influence of the various components of solar radiation on the indoor thermal and daylighting of a passive solar building. Thus, a pyrheliometer, pyranometer, shaded-pyranometer, and pyrgeometer mounted on a SOLYS 2 (Kipp & Zonen, Delft, Netherlands) dual Axis sun tracker, were used to monitor direct, global horizontal, diffuse and downward longwave radiation, respectively. The seasonal indoor air temperature and relative humidity were measured using an HMP 60 temperature relative humidity probe. A Li-210R photometric sensor was used to monitor the indoor illuminance. The summer and winter indoor air temperature, as well as relative humidity, were found to be influenced by diffuse horizontal and global horizontal irradiance, respectively. In summer, the indoor air temperature response to diffuse horizontal irradiance was 0.7 °C/ħW/m2 and 1.1 °C/ħW/m2 to global horizontal irradiance in winter, where ħ is 99.9 W/m2. The indoor daylighting which was found to be above the minimum office visual task recommendation in most countries, but within the useful daylight illuminance range was dominated by direct normal irradiance. A response of 260 lux/ħW/m2 was observed. The findings of the study support the strategic locating of the windows in passive solar design. However, the results show that north-facing clerestory windows without shading device could lead to visual discomfort.

Construction of dual-axis sun tracker controlled by Arduino

In this work a dual-axis sun tracker was constructed using an Arduino to control two DC electric motors. The motors together with gears move a structure that tracks the sun. To achieve that purpose, an arrangement of four photoresistors was made to input the sun position into the Arduino in form of electric signal. The output signal from the Arduino is used in four relays with their respective optocouplers to transmit power into two DC electric motors to move the tracker. The Arduino uses an algorithm that processes the photoresistors signal and produce it an output signal that is transmitted to the relays. The sun tracker was applied in parabolic dish with good performance.

Design and fabrication of microcontroller-based dual axis light-sensitive rotating solar panel

ABSTRACT This study predominantly focuses on the design, fabrication and performance of a dual-axis sun-tracking solar system. The whole construction of the dual axis rotating solar panel is divided into two sub-division, i.e. electrical system design and mechanical system design. The components of electrical and mechanical design system contribute individually for the efficient working of the dual axis light-sensitive rotating solar system and add a combined result in the system. Solar energy is immense, open in the environment, sparkling from contamination and renewable basis of electricity. The dual axis light-sensitive solar tracking system is an outcome of this mission. In this present study the aforesaid system is built and tested based on both the solar map and light-sensor-based continuous tracking mechanism. The power gain and system power consumption are compared with a static solar tracking system. It is found that power gain of this system has attested to be more proficient and beneficial than its fixed equivalents. The consequence exposed that the solar system with dual-axis tracking is further effective paralleled to that fixed solar system.

Experimental investigation and cost analysis on a nanofluid-based desalination system integrated with an automatic dual-axis sun tracker and Fresnel lens

In this experimental work, the performance of a nanofluid-based solar still equipped with a dual-axis solar tracker system (STS) has been investigated through various viewpoints, i.e., daily and nightly fresh-water production, hourly and daily efficiency and cost. The proposed solar still consists of a conventional solar still (CSS), three Fresnel lens concentrator, and an active automatic STS. Moreover, the effects of deionized water, MWCNTs/water nanofluid with two mass fractions of 0.15 and 0.3%, as the heat transfer fluid (HTF), are studied on fresh-water productivity to evaluate the appropriate HTF type. The daily, nightly, and total fresh-water produced by the CSS with internal condenser is found to be 2180, 560, and 2740 mL/(m2·day), respectively. However, the CSS integrated with STS and Fresnel lens can produce daily, nightly, and total fresh-water of 5310, 1080, and 6390 mL/(m2·day), respectively. In addition, the results indicate that using MWCNTs/water nanofluid with a mass fraction of 0.3% enhances fresh-water productivity by 31.6, 7.4, and 27.5%, respectively, compared to that of pure water as HTF. The results reveal that by using the nanofluid with a mass fraction of 0.15 and 0.3%, the daily average efficiency is increased about 9.56 and 17.85%, respectively, compared to that of pure water as HTF.

Industrial design and implementation of a large-scale dual-axis sun tracker with a vertical-axis-rotating-platform and multiple-row-elevation structures

A dual-axis tracked Photovoltaic (PV) system can produce up to 30% more electrical energy in a year as compared to a fixed-tilt PV system. To be economically feasible, a sun-tracker must also be accountable for the cost effectiveness, durability and long-term reliability despite the gain in electrical yield. To achieve this purpose, in this paper, we are reporting a practical industrial design of a large-scale dual-axis sun-tracker consisting of a vertical-axis-rotating-platform and multiple-row-elevation structures (VRP-MRE). The advantages of the tracker design include lower wind-load moment, high tracking precision, high repeatability and high durability. All these favourable features are attributed to the use of a large perimeter rotating platform coupled with a low-cost electro-mechanical encoder, and a torque tube mechanism that can simultaneously drive multi-row elevation movement through a shared push-pull type of linear movement. Several important characteristics of the new tracker have been studied in detail, such as the range of motion, slew rate, control system, electrical wiring, special tracking behaviour and special requirements when it is used in the equatorial region. A prototype of industrial-scale sun-tracker with a 35-m of diameter has been designed to achieve tracking resolutions of 0.111° in the azimuthal direction and 0.03° in the elevation direction. The overall measured tracking accuracy was 0.28°, and the achieved precision was 0.0111°. A total of 60 kWdc PV modules were installed on the sun-tracker. The energy consumption by the driving systems of the sun-tracker was calculated, which on average ranges from 0.40% to 0.50% of the total energy generation by the PV system.

Novel MPPT for Linear-Rotational Sun-Tracking System Using Fractional Fuzzy Grey-Based Sliding Mode Control

In this paper, a novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in PV system is presented. In sliding mode control schemes, discontinuous reaching law involves high control activity and the future may excite high-frequency dynamics. Reaching speed is also limited by using smoothing functions in reaching law of sliding mode control. Hence, a nonlinear reaching law is proposed by a fuzzy inference system as inputs in the sliding function, and to forecast the future error value, a one-step-ahead terminal voltage prediction is obtained by a grey prediction algorithm based on fractional-order model. The proposed algorithm has the advantage of high accuracy, maintaining faster response than other hardware implementations and handling both model-based and model-free approaches to make it easy for implement. Also, the new MPPT is integrated with novel design of dual-axis sun-tracking system based on rotational and linear joints. The system can be switched to linear-rotational or one-axis sun-tracking arbitrary as required by the user and automatically started up in the daytime with low electricity power consumption motors. Automatic sun tracking is attained against cloud disturbance and any weather conditions with high-power generation. The simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed dual-axis sun tracking and MPPT with a comprehensive comparison between the new approach and the other up-to-date algorithms and designs.