Open AccessModel Development and Validation of a Dual-Axis PV Tracking System: A Case of South Africa
Author(s) -
P.A. Hohne,
K. Kusakana,
B.P. Numbi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of electrical and electronic engineering and telecommunications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2319-2518
DOI - 10.18178/ijeetc.10.4.288-293
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , grid , dual (grammatical number) , investment (military) , tracking system , electricity , solar tracker , solar energy , computer science , tracking (education) , tracking error , component (thermodynamics) , electric power system , environmental economics , reliability engineering , power (physics) , economics , engineering , electrical engineering , mathematics , control (management) , art , pedagogy , filter (signal processing) , artificial intelligence , law , literature , psychology , geometry , quantum mechanics , political science , thermodynamics , physics , politics , computer vision
Dual axis photovoltaic (PV) tracking system is considered in general to be a poor investment. This is mainly due to the substantial initial investment costs that these systems carry. However, in recent years, solar panels and accompanying component costs have decreased significantly. Additionally, electricity price hikes in South Africa have compelled most of the country’s citizens to reconsider their sources of electrical energy. A popular alternative to grid energy in South Africa is the use of photovoltaic systems. Careful consideration is required when choosing from the various systems available on the market. The main method for maximizing the output power of these systems is to introduce solar tracking systems. Therefore, in this paper, a model of a dual axis tracking system is developed and validated against a real-world plant in the Bloemfontein region in South Africa. The presented model was observed to be accurate to within an error rate of 6.39%. Additionally, the performance of the inverters of the PV tracking systems were evaluated and discussed. The validated model may prove to be an excellent tool for energy managers to determine the feasibility of such systems, compared to conventional photovoltaic setups.