Open AccessEvaluation of Photovoltaic Solar Power of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System
Author(s) -
Ali Sabri Allw,
Ikhlas H. Shallal
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
xi'nan jiaotong daxue xuebao
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.308
H-Index - 21
ISSN - 0258-2724
DOI - 10.35741/issn.0258-2724.55.1.52
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , solar tracker , tilt (camera) , solar micro inverter , optics , tracking (education) , solar energy , solar cell , physics , maximum power principle , power (physics) , electrical engineering , engineering , maximum power point tracking , optoelectronics , mechanical engineering , psychology , pedagogy , inverter , quantum mechanics
In this research project, a tip-tilting angle of a photovoltaic solar cell was developed to increase generated electrical power output. An active, accurate, and simple dual-axis tracking system was designed by using an Arduino Uno microprocessor. The system consisted of two sections: software and apparatus (hardware). It was modified by using a group of light-dependent resistor sensors, and two DC servo motors were utilized to rotate the solar panel to a location with maximum sunlight. These components were arranged in a mechanical configuration with the gearbox. The three locations of the solar cell were chosen according to the tilt angle values, at zero angles, which included an optimal 33-degree angle for the Baghdad location and a variable angle with the dual-axis tracking system. For maximum value of the extracted solar energy, a photovoltaic solar panel that collects sunlight should be in normal position onto this radiation. Solar trackers relocated the panel toward the path of the Sun to ensure that the collector rotated at an optimal tilt angle. The results showed that the generated power at the dual-axis position was 3.384 watts per hour (W/h), the 33-degree angle yielded 2.237 W/h, and the zero-degree angle yielded 1.09 W/h. The results confirmed that the performance of a dual-axis solar tracking system is active and efficient.