Biaxial Equatorial Solar Tracker with High Precision and Low Consumption: Modelling and Realization

Abstract

The solar tracker is a mechanism that helps the photovoltaic panel to maximize its performance, while keeping it oriented towards direct solar radiation. In order to specify tracking, most solar trackers use two axes, one horizontal and the other vertical, which implies an increase of the consumed energy and a decrease in precision, since we have to make both motors operate simultaneously. This paper is a modelling of a biaxial solar tracker, with the principle of an equatorial mount, allowing it to precisely follow the sun via a single axis (equatorial axis), while the second axis (tilt axis) makes a small daily correction of few seconds at sunrise. In this way, our model keeps precision to the maximum, with minimum energy consumption. A detailed simulation clearly shows that the proposed model receives the maximum solar irradiation that a normal surface to solar radiation can receive and may in a certain period of the year receive a gain in the amount of solar irradiation; we have up to 63.47% compared to a fixed installation. The study details the different tracking methods, in order to adapt the concept model to the type of solar panel used. We closed finish the study with the realization of the prototype with a detailed explanation of the concept movement. To validate the simulation, we have made an experience that gives us the same results as given by simulation.

Effective Power Flow Control of Grid Tied Hybrid Renewable Energy System Using SMC Controller

“…To enhance the availability and optimize the power generation of this kind of systems, it is necessary to add a storage system. The researches realized in [3,4] about the optimization, power management and control of hybrid renewable systems, they confirm that the effectiveness of a PV & WT hybrid system is more performant than only photovoltaic system [5,3]. Also, they sensualize to associate the two sources PV/WT with battery energy storage, it can provide many benefits compared to each one only, which can produce more of energy with low greenhouse gases [4].…”

Simulation and Optimization of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Mechanism

“…Tracking System Type Control Strategy Location (Latitude/Longitude) Energy Gain [4] dual-axis open-loop 45.657974 N/25.601198 E 41.45% [5] dual-axis closed-loop 12.873498 N/80.219866 E 27% [6] dual-axis open-loop 33.838 N/−6.083 W 35.71% [7] dual-axis close-loop 29.571858 N/57.301047 E 31.8% [8] single-axis open-loop −29.72404 S/−53.71081 W 25.76% [9] single-axis open-loop 25.037519 N/121.563679 E 24.2% [10] dual-axis closed-loop 12.824342 N/101.216274 E 44.89% [11] dual-axis open-loop 45.657974 N/25.601198 E 29.6% [12] single|dual-axis closed-loop 26.43442 N/50.10326 E 18.73%|28.98% [13] single|dual-axis closed-loop 13.072090 N/80.201859 E 20%|40% [14] dual-axis open-loop −29.68605 S/−53.80692 W 20.87% [15] dual-axis open-loop 13.82184 N/100.51316 E 20.1% [16] single|dual-axis open-loop 45.957481 N/15.494230 E 30.04%|39.96% [17] dual-axis open-loop 3.023284 N/101.715903 E 26.9% [18] dual-axis open-loop −5.138724 S/119.443643 E 56.67%…”

Meeting the Hospital Oxygen Demand with a Decentralized Autonomous PV System: Effect of PV Tracking Systems

“…To increase efficiency, the orientation of the solar panels to the variable position of the sun in the sky and normal to its rays must be maintained. Accordingly, solar trackers are used to follow the sun's movements and maximize energy collection (Bouzakri et al 2021 ). Two types of trackers are used in solar systems, namely single- and dual-axis trackers.…”