A Novel Photovoltaic Module With Cell Strands That Track the Sun

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bill Diong ◽  
Wesley Carlsen ◽  
Brian Avit ◽  
Kevin McFall ◽  
Scott Tippens
Keyword(s):  
Tracking System ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Initial Cost ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Passive Tracking ◽  
Tracking Ability ◽  
Roof Panel

The goal of a recent study was to design, and determine the effectiveness of, a fixed-tilt solar panel module that contains strands of photovoltaic cells, which are rotated by a very small motor to track the sun. The motivation was that such a configuration enjoys the advantage of increased energy collection over static solar panels due to sun tracking ability, while it mitigates some key difficulties associated with stabilizing and rotating bulky panels as current active and passive tracking systems need to do. Most critically, such a module allows the benefits of sun tracking to be reaped by sloped roof panel installations, which at present almost always consist of fixed-tilt solar panels rather than rotating tracking panels. The study’s result is an active tracking system design in a fixed-tilt module configuration that generated over 10% more daily energy typically, during the test period, compared to a static panel, thus substantially offsetting its added complexity and higher initial cost.

Design and Implementation of Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System with GSM Fault Reporting Capability

2013 ◽  
Vol 724-725 ◽  
pp. 43-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu En Wu ◽  
Kuo Chan Huang
Keyword(s):  
Power System ◽  
Power Efficiency ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Azimuth Angle ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Sensing Element ◽  
Solar Tracking

This paper presents a smart dual-axis solar tracking system, its architecture includes sensors, embedded controllers, AC motors, Integrated electric putter design biaxial institutions, and the GSM automatic report of fault notification, to achieve autonomous tracking solar track system and adjust the solar panels to reach the maximum smooth by tracking the solar azimuth angle and elevation angle, and ensure that the solar panels with the sun to maintain the vertical in any time and any place, thus achieving the best power efficiency. This system proposed a dual-axis design, and an embedded controller used as the main system controller to detect voltage difference and determine the solar azimuth angle with four groups of CDS as a sensing element. To lock the sun, the solar panels be perpendicular via the moving of AC motor (EW) and motorized faders (north-south). The control system software using C language can be extremely fast and accurate tracking of the solar angle, and dual-axis operation with recovery mode to save the power loss. Finally, we have the actual analysis and verification of benefit of power generation in this paper, from this experimental results, we can verify the integration of build dual-axis solar tracking system and solar power system have promoted 30% generating power capacity more than fixed solar power system and has low failure rate. It can improve the problem of traditional tracking system reliability and greatly enhance the usefulness of this system.

scholarly journals IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM BY INCORPORATING TRACKING SYSTEM AND MPPT: A REVIEW

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
S Udhayakumar ◽  
R A Sindhu ◽  
R Srivasthan ◽  
Y Yogaraj
Keyword(s):  
Tracking System ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Maximum Power Point ◽  
Point Tracking ◽  
Power Point Tracking ◽  
Power Point

The harvesting of solar energy is gaining increasing attention as it is pollution free and is available in abundance. Various researches and experiments are being carried out to improve the efficiency of power conversion by altering the material of the photovoltaic panels, by incorporating tracking systems and by making use of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms. The conventional rigidly fixed solar panels limit their area of exposure to the sun during the entire day. The use of tracker increases the area of panel exposed to direct beam of the sun, thus increasing the power generated. MPPT algorithm tracks the maximum power point attained at all loads and extracts the power from the panel at that voltage. Despite the variations in the external environment, the power obtained from the panel is always maximum. This paper reviews various tracking methods and MPPT techniques to increase the energy harvesting capacity of the panel and in turn improve its efficiency.

scholarly journals Rancang Bangun Tracker Surya Sumbu Ganda Berbasis Raspberry Pi

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
M Permadi Yosa Nugraha ◽  
Abdul Rakhman ◽  
Irma Salamah
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Raspberry Pi ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Initial Cost ◽  
Important Means

Solar energy is now a very important means of renewable energy resources. With sun tracking, it is more effective to produce more energy because solar panels can maintain a profile perpendicular to sunlight. Although the initial cost of setting up a tracking system is quite high, there are cheaper options that have been proposed from time to time. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are used to detect sunlight. The solar panel is positioned where it can receive maximum light. Compared to other motors, servo motors are able to maintain torque at high speed. The tracker is in the form of a double or single axis. Dual trackers are more efficient because they track sunlight from both axes. This project is designed for low power and portable applications. Therefore, it is suitable for use in rural areas. In addition, the effectiveness of the output power collected by sunlight increases.

scholarly journals Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Potential of Chromolena Odorata Leaves as affected by Soxhlet and Maceration Extraction

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Farahida Mohd Shamsuddin Tan ◽  
◽  
Muhammad Heidzer Zainal Abidin ◽  
Lukman Iqbal Hussein ◽  
Mohd Hezri Mokhtar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tracking System ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Servo Motor ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Tracking Motion ◽  
Arduino Uno ◽  
Antibacterial Potential

The project is to design an active solar tracking system which able to track the sunlight with the aid of light dependent resistor (LDR) as input sensor to read the intensity of sunlight. The solar tracking system uses platform as a base and it is moved by a servo motor as the platform needs to be moved towards the sunlight to get the optimum light. The solar tracking system is programmed by using microcontroller Arduino Uno as a main controller. After the setup of the hardware and program, the tracking motion of the tracking system has been implemented to track the sun based on sunlight direction. In this work, it is designed that the motion of the tracking system is depends on the value read by LDR. As a conclusion, the solar tracking system can increase the solar panels efficiency by keeping the solar panels perpendicular with sun’s position.

Adaptive fuzzy Jacobian control of spacecraft combined attitude and Sun tracking system

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yew-Chung Chak ◽  
Renuganth Varatharajoo ◽  
Nima Assadian
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Solar Array ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adaptive Fuzzy ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Adaptation Law ◽  
Pointing Control

Purpose The paper aims to address the combined attitude control and Sun tracking problem in a flexible spacecraft in the presence of external and internal disturbances. The attitude stabilization of a flexible satellite is generally a challenging control problem, because of the facts that satellite kinematic and dynamic equations are inherently nonlinear, the rigid–flexible coupling dynamical effect, as well as the uncertainty that arises from the effect of actuator anomalies. Design/methodology/approach To deal with these issues in the combined attitude and Sun tracking system, a novel control scheme is proposed based on the adaptive fuzzy Jacobian approach. The augmented spacecraft model is then analyzed and the Lyapunov-based backstepping method is applied to develop a nonlinear three-axis attitude pointing control law and the adaptation law. Findings Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive control scheme in simultaneously tracking the desired attitude and the Sun. Practical implications Reaction wheels are commonly used in many spacecraft systems for the three-axis attitude control by delivering precise torques. If a reaction wheel suffers from an irreversible mechanical breakdown, then it is likely going to interrupt the mission, or even leading to a catastrophic loss. The pitch-axis mounted solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) can be exploited to anticipate such situation to generate a differential torque. As the solar panels are rotated by the SADAs to be orientated relative to the Sun, the pitch-axis wheel control torque demand can be compensated by the differential torque. Originality/value The proposed Jacobian control scheme is inspired by the knowledge of Jacobian matrix in the trajectory tracking of robotic manipulators.

scholarly journals Pointing Sensors and Sun Tracking Techniques

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Fontani ◽  
P. Sansoni ◽  
F. Francini ◽  
D. Jafrancesco ◽  
L. Mercatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical System ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
The Sun ◽  
System Configuration ◽  
The Core ◽  
Passive Tracking ◽  
Working Principle ◽  
Tracking Device ◽  
Guiding System

Every optical system for sunlight concentration requires following the sun in its movement. The sun tracking method is essentially chosen on the base of collection geometry and optical system configuration. A simple, useful, and original technique to realise sun tracking is proposed. It is based on a double guiding system using two complementary procedures. A passive tracking device performs a preliminary collector orientation. Then an active tracking system realises its fine positioning and adjustments exploiting an optical pointing sensor. The core of this active tracking device is the sun finder. Pointing sensors for fibre-coupled, CPV (Concentrating Photo voltaic), and linear collectors are presented, illustrating in detail the working principle and practical use. All sensors were optically characterised in laboratory, under controlled and reproducible conditions. Some field tests completed the experimentation evaluating the sensors performance in outdoor working conditions.

scholarly journals Design and Development of Low-Cost Solar Electricity Generation System with Heliostat to Ensure the Optimum Uses of Rated Capacity of Solar Cells

2020 ◽  
pp. 113-116
Keyword(s):  
Flat Plate ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Generation System ◽  
Solar Electricity

Almost all solar electricity generation systems are now operated with flat plate solar panels. These flat plate solar panels have a lot of expensive collector area although still deliver only low-grade temperature which is a boundless problem for assuring the optimum uses of the rated capacity of solar panels. Using heliostats can reduce this problem significantly. Heliostats consist of a single or a set of mirrors that track the sun’s position and reflect the sun rays into a central receiving point. With the movement of the sun, these mirrors are adjusted accordingly to track the sun to ensure the highest amount of sunlight reflected onto the same collection point. The system is cheaper than any other solar tracking system presently used in our country. This paper describes an improved design of a solar electricity generation system having a capacity of 1Wp with heliostats on an experimental basis. It will also demonstrate a comparison of a generation of a 1Wp solar system with and without heliostats. Successful outcomes of this experiment will lead us to implement the heliostats-based tracking system into the large-scale solar electricity generation systems.

scholarly journals Design and Development of a Single-Axis Solar Tracking System

2021 ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
Md. Taslim Mahmud Bhuyain ◽  
Robin Kuri ◽  
Nayeem Al-Tamzid Bhuiyan ◽  
Md Sahadat Hossain Sagor ◽  
Riazul Haidar
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Maximum Light ◽  
Initial Cost ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Over Time

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.

scholarly journals Vision based solar tracking system for efficient energy harvesting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1431
Author(s):  
Kanhaiya Kumar ◽  
Lokesh Varshney ◽  
A. Ambikapathy ◽  
Inayat Ali ◽  
Ashish Rajput ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Processing ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
Software And Hardware ◽  
Low Sensitivity

<p>Electricity is a major source of energy for fast growing population and the use of nonrenewable source is harmful for our environment. This reason belongs to devastating of environment, so it is required to take immediate action to solve these problems which result the solar energy development. Production of a solar energy can be maximizing if we use solar follower. The major part of solar panels is microcontroller with arrangement of LDR sensor is used to follow the sun, where the sensors is less efficient to track the sun because of the low sensitivity of LDR. We are proposing a method to track sun more effetely with the help of both LDR sensors and image processing. This type of mechanism can track sun with the help of image processing software which combines both result of sensors and processed sun image to control the solar panel. The combination of both software and hardware can control thousands of solar panels in solar power plants.</p>

scholarly journals Improving Photovoltaic Panel (PV) Efficiency via Two Axis Sun Tracking System

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-140
Author(s):  
Karam Abdulwahed Kashan ◽  
Fadhil Abbas M. Al-Qrimli
Keyword(s):  
Tracking System ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Tracking Method ◽  
Pv Panel ◽  
Solar Tracking ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
The Hours ◽  
Solar Position

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.

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