Energy Policy for Clean and Sustainable Energy Production: Application of Solar Tracking Systems to Obtain Maximum Efficiency from Solar Energy in the Çukurova Region

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are characterized as clean and sustainable energy sources and are accepted as an alternative to fossil fuels. Solar energy is an important renewable energy source and electricity production of solar energy is increasing day by day. This article has aimed to produce more from existing and newly established solar power plants. The main disadvantage of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is that they generate electricity depending on the angle of the sun. As a result of efforts to improve this situation and increase production, solar tracking systems have emerged. In this paper, three different solar panel tracking systems; a fixed system, a single-axis system and a dual-axis system are operated in the same coordinates and conditions. Production data of 15 days are taken from these installed systems and compared. In these systems, Arduino is used to controlling the movements and the system was established by specially preparing the mechanical parts. The study revealed that, in comparison to fixed systems, single-axis solar tracking systems produced 24.367% more power and dual-axis solar tracking systems 32.247% more electricity. It has been calculated that the single-axis tracking system pays for itself 0.39 years after the fixed system and the dual-axis system after 1.48 years after the fixed system. A cost analysis is made considering the installation costs and production data of these three systems, which were originally designed and prepared.