GPS Based Portable Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Astronomical Equation
GPS Based Portable Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Astronomical Equation
GPS Based Portable Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Astronomical Equation
I. INTRODUCTION
In the years ahead the demand for energy will escalate,
whereas the conventional fossil fuel energy will deplete in a
rapid pace. Henceforth, harvesting the power from a
renewable energy source is vital in order to fulfil the growing
energy needs. Among all the available renewable energy
sources, solar energy is the most abundant and available all
year-round. In solar technology, the suns energy is captured
by using photovoltaic (PV) panel and converts the solar
radiation into electricity. Additionally, PV technology is a fast
growing technological progress that requiring very little
maintenance with zero carbon foot-print. The performance of
a PV panel is not only dependent upon the solar irradiance
power, whether condition and the ambient temperature, but it
also depends on the solar radiations incidence angle to the PV
panel [1].
During the day, the sun appears to move through the sky
from east to west, therefore the angle between sun and a fixed
PV surface is continually changing. Thus, the power density
on a fixed PV module is less than that of the incident sunlight.
Lately, there are many works have been taken in order to
maximize the power extraction from the PV panel. Solar
tracking system offers a practical technology solution to
improve the power efficiency generated by the PV panel.
Extensive research and experiment have shown that by
maintaining consistent direct exposure from the sun to the PV
module, the tracking system able to produce up to 40 percent
more power over a fixed-tilted (non-tracking) PV panel [2].
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This research aims to design and develop a global dualaxes solar tracking system based on open-loop astronomical
equations. The research will emphasize on the algorithm to
generate a solar path trajectory database by utilizing the
information acknowledge from the Global Positioning System
(GPS) sensor module. Moreover, the algorithm will also cater
all location, season and environment globally. PID control
algorithm for positioning the PV panel is also intensively
highlighted. On top of that, the research will fuse and combine
all the developed sub-system into a single free-interface and
easy to set-up solar tracking system controller board. This
research also compares the power efficiency of the developed
solar tracking system controller board and a non-tracking
system under the same location and environment.
B = 360/365 . (d - 81)
(3)
= 23.45. sinB
(4)
(5)
LST = LT + TC/60
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
-1
(1)
(2)
(10)
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Fig. 4. Electronic control system block diagram of the solar tracking system.
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V. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
The performance of the solar tracker is assessed by
comparing the power generated between the fixed-tilted PV
panel and the developed solar tracking system as in Fig. 6. The
fixed-tilted PV panel is set to the position that will generate
the maximum power of the specific day. The maximum power
is generated during the solar noon whereas the sun is located
at the highest positions above the horizon on the day. Both
systems are deployed at an open area in Serdang with the
coordinate of 3.00 North and 101.72 East. The power
generated from both systems is recorded using a data logger
simultaneously for every minute from 7am to 8pm.
Fig. 8. Power generation on a cloudy day.
VI. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is clear that the solar tracking system
plays an important role to guarantee the maximum solar
energy generation from dawn until dusk. The solar trackers
control system successfully calculates and generates the suns
trajectory path through the year. Moreover, the tracker also
capable to position the PV panel towards the sun automatically
during deployment or initial set up. In addition, the embedded
PID positioning system will improve the tracking angle
accuracy in locating the elevation and azimuth angle up to
0.2 degrees.
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[2]
[3]
References
[4]
[1]
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