scholarly journals A Low-Cost Closed-Loop Solar Tracking System Based on the Sun Position Algorithm

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad E. H. Chowdhury ◽  
Amith Khandakar ◽  
Belayat Hossain ◽  
Rayaan Abouhasera

Sun position and the optimum inclination of a solar panel to the sun vary over time throughout the day. A simple but accurate solar position measurement system is essential for maximizing the output power from a solar panel in order to increase the panel efficiency while minimizing the system cost. Solar position can be measured either by a sensor (active/passive) or through the sun position monitoring algorithm. Sensor-based sun position measuring systems fail to measure the solar position in a cloudy or intermittent day, and they require precise installation and periodic calibrations. In contrast, the sun position algorithms use mathematical formula or astronomical data to obtain the station of the sun at a particular geographical location and time. A standalone low-cost but high-precision dual-axis closed-loop sun-tracking system using the sun position algorithm was implemented in an 8-bit microcontroller platform. The Astronomical Almanac’s (AA) algorithm was used for its simplicity, reliability, and fast computation capability of the solar position. Results revealed that incorporation of the sun position algorithm into a solar tracking system helps in outperforming the fixed system and optical tracking system by 13.9% and 2.1%, respectively. In summary, even for a small-scale solar tracking system, the algorithm-based closed-loop dual-axis tracking system can increase overall system efficiency.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Muhammad E. H. Chowdhury ◽  
Amith Khandakar ◽  
Belayat Hossain ◽  
Rayaan Abouhasera


Author(s):  
Balaji K ◽  
Dharshan T R ◽  
Mahendran P ◽  
Priyadharsini R

The renewable energies, solar energy is the only energy gained its popularity and importance quickly. Through the solar tracking system, we can produce an abundant amount of energy which makes the solar panel’s workability much more efficient. Perpendicular proportionality of the solar panel with the sun rays is the reason lying behind its efficiency. Pecuniary, its installation charge is high provided cheaper options are also available. The main control circuit is based upon NodeMcu microcontroller. Programming of this device is done in the manner that the LDR sensor, in accordance with the detection of the sun rays, will provide direction to the DC Motor that in which way the solar panel is going to revolve. Through this, the solar panel is positioned in such a manner that the maximum amount of sun rays could be received. Though a hike in the efficiency of the solar panel had a handsome increase still perfection was a far-fetched goal for it. Below 40%, most of the panels still hover to operate. Consequently, peoples are compelled to purchase a number of panels in order to meet their energy demands or purchase single systems with large outputs. Availability of the solar cells types with higher efficiencies is on provided they are too costly to purchase. Ways to be accessed for increasing solar panel efficiencies are a plethora in number still one of the ways to be availed for accomplishing the said purpose while reducing costs, is tracking. Tracking helps in the wider projection of the panel to the Sun with increased power output. It could be dual or single axis tracker



2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.18) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Musse Mohamud Ahmed ◽  
Mohammad Kamrul Hasan ◽  
Mohammad Shafiq

The main purpose of this paper is to present a novel idea that is based on design and development of an automatic solar tracker system that tracks the Sun's energy for maximum energy output achievement. In this paper, a novel automatic solar tracking system has been developed for small-scale solar energy system. The hardware part and programming part have been concurrently developed in order for the solar tracking system to be possible for it to operate accurately. Arduino Uno R3, Sensor Shield V4 Digital Analog Module, LDR (Light Dependent Resistor), MPU-6050 6DOF 3 Axis Gyroscope has been used for tracking the angular sun movement as shown in Fig. 1. Accelerometer, High-Efficiency Solar Panel, and Tower Pro MG90S Servo Motor have been used for the hardware part. High-level programming language has been embedded in the hardware to operate the tracking system effectively. The tracking system has shown significant improvement of energy delivery to solar panel comparing to the conventional method. All the results will be shown in the full paper. There are three contributions the research presented in this paper which are, i.e. perfect tracking system, the comparison between the static and tracking system and the development of Gyroscope angular movement system which tracks the angular movement of the sun along with another tracking system.  



2018 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 02001
Author(s):  
Philippe Dondon ◽  
Pascal Gauterie ◽  
Renaud Charlet

Nowadays power generation is one of the greatest challenges of humanity in the framework of Sustainable Development. For example, as it is globally accepted sun tracking systems allows improvement of solar panel power ratio. In order to illustrate this concept, this paper presents the design and a behaviour modelling of a two axis small scale system for future didactical applications. The principle of tracking is described. Mathematical description is done and a mixed SPICE modelling of the system, including geometrical, optical, electronic linear and non-linear aspects is built. Simulations results are analysed. Practical mechanical and electronic designs are detailed, before conclusion. This small scale solar tracking system is now installed in a eco-friendly small scale house model.



This paper proposes a design of solar tracking system for capturing maximum amount of solar energy by rotating the solar panel. From sun rise to sun set, the sun changes its direction several times due to which the static solar panel fails to capture maximum solar energy throughout the day. Therefore, it is required to develop a system that is capable of generating electrical energy by making use of maximum amount of solar energy. This paper discloses about the rotatable solar tracking system capable of rotating along the sun direction for tracking maximum amount of solar energy. This advanced technology not only utilize the solar energy more effectively but also improves the efficiency of whole system.



Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Rowida Meligy ◽  
Imanol Picallo ◽  
Hicham Klaina ◽  
Peio Lopez-Iturri ◽  
José Javier Astrain ◽  
...  

A Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR) is a recent technology with good potential in small-scale solar power applications. It is composed of many long rows of mirrors that focus the sunlight onto a fixed elevated tubular receiver. Mirror segments are aligned horizontally and track the sun such that the receiver does not need to be moved. The efficiency with which the LFR can convert solar to thermal energy depends on the accuracy of the sun tracking system. To maximize the degree of sunlight capture, precise solar tracking is needed so that incident solar rays can be adequately focused to the focal point given by the location of the tubular receiver. The tilt angles of each row are relevant for the tracking controller to achieve correct positioning. Encoders are generally employed in closed-loop tracking systems as feedback signals used to inform the controller with the actual position of collector mirrors. Recently, inclinometers have begun to replace encoders as the most viable and cost-effective sensor technology solution; they offer simpler and more precise feedback, as they measure the angle of tilt with respect to gravity and provide the ability to adjust the system to the optimal angle for maximum output. This paper presents the research results on the development of remote measurements for the precise control of an LFR tracking system, by using distributed angle measurements. The applied methodology enables precision measurement LFR inclination angles through the fusion of data from multiple accelerometers, supported by low-cost wireless transceivers in a wireless sensor network, capable of exchanging information in a cloud infrastructure.



Author(s):  
Anees Abu Sneineh ◽  
Wael A. Salah

This paper presents the design and implementation of a closed-loop solar tracker system. The demand for clean energy sources has increased along with the rising demand for electrical energy and the increasing amount of environment pollution triggered by fuel consumption. Among these sources, solar energy is considered the most feasible given its wide availability and easy operation in different environments. The main purpose of this study is to maximize the generated photovoltaic power and reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by designing an efficient and low-cost solar tracking system. An aligned closed-loop solar tracker is designed and constructed to achieve the best accuracy. The proposed system shows more freedom in its movement to overcome the problems associated with the tilt of the frame-holder. A PIC microcontroller based on the Flowcode programming language is used, the position feedback is detected by using a photo-sensor, and the H-Bridge driver is used to control two DC motors. According to the experimental results, the proposed system shows significant improvements in efficiency compared with stationary solar tracking systems.



Author(s):  
Md. Taslim Mahmud Bhuyain ◽  
Robin Kuri ◽  
Nayeem Al-Tamzid Bhuiyan ◽  
Md Sahadat Hossain Sagor ◽  
Riazul Haidar

With solar tracking, it will become possible to generate more energy since the solar panel can maintain a perpendicular profile to the rays of the sun. Even though the initial cost of setting up the tracking system is considerably high, there are cheaper options that have been proposed over time. This research discuss the design and construction of a prototype for a solar tracking system that has a single axis of freedom. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are used for sunlight detection. The control circuit is based on an ATMega328P microcontroller. It was programmed to detect sunlight via the LDRs before actuating the servo to position the solar panel. The solar panel is positioned where it is able to receive maximum light. As compared to other motors, the servo motors are able to maintain their torque at high speed. They are also more efficient with efficiencies in the range of 80-90%. Servos can supply roughly twice their rated torque for short periods. Through tracking, there will be increased exposure of the panel to the sun, making it have increased power output. The trackers can either be dual or single axis trackers. As a single tracking system is cheaper, less complex, and still achieves the required efficiency, so it was used.



2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-140
Author(s):  
Karam Abdulwahed Kashan ◽  
Fadhil Abbas M. Al-Qrimli

In this paper two axis sun tracking method is used to absorb maximum power from the sun's rays on the solar panel via calculating the sun’s altitude and azimuth angles, which describe the solar position on the Iraqi capital Baghdad for the hours 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 17:00 per day. The angles were calculated in an average approach within one month, so certain values were determined for each month. The daily energy achieved was calculated for the solar tracking method compared with the fixed tracking method. Designed, modeled and simulated a control circuit consisting of reference position truth table, PI Controller and two servomotors that tracked the sun position to adjust the PV panel perpendicular on the rays of the sun. The results obtained by a simulation software MATLAB/Simulink.



Author(s):  
Belly Yan Dewantara ◽  
Daeng Rahmatullah

<em>Nowadays solar panel is widely used as an independent power plant, it can be seen the many applications of solar panels on electrical equipment, such as traffic light, general lighting, etc. The energi produced by solar panel is affected by the absorbed sunlight. generally solar panels are implemented statically, this causes the absorption of solar energi is not maximal in the morning and afternoon. To maximize the absorption of sunlight, solar panels must always be facing perpendicular to the position of the sun. Automatic solar tracking system is needed to solve these problems, It is makes solar panels always perpendicular to the sun and can follow the movement of the sun, so that the absorption of solar energi is more leverage. The results of the test show the use of automatic tracking system to get the maximum absorption of solar energi indicated by a more stable voltage output,and the power generated is greater than using a static solar panel. Automatic Sun Tracking System (ASTS) increase the average power up to ± 39-41 watt / day with the efficiency of ASTS 81.66% on PV panel 50 WP.</em>



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