Potential of One-Axis and Two-Axis Tracking Photovoltaic Systems

This paper explores the potential of solar energy generation in the area of The Hashemite University in Jordan (32.05_N, 36.06_E) by investigating the optimal inclination and azimuth angles of photovoltaic (PV) modules for every hour, day, month, and of the whole year. The object of this study is to maximize the annual energy production of PV systems by tracking the changes of sun's position in the sky north-to-south and east-to-west. Hourly, daily, monthly, and annually global radiation averages are simulated using the METEONORM comprehensive meteorological software and then analyzed using the MATLAB™ software. This study shows that the one-axis PV tracking system about the inclination axis increases the energy yield of 5.87% compared to the fixed surfaces (azimuth angle=0° and inclination angle=30°) , while the one-axis PV tracking system about the azimuth axis increases the energy yield of 20.12% compared to the fixed surfaces. On the other hand, the two-axis PV tracking system about both the inclination and azimuth axes increases the energy yield of 30.82% compared to the fixed surfaces.