Dual-axis solar tracker with satellite compass and inclinometer for automatic positioning and tracking

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have a utilization (or capacity) factor of 15-20% worldwide We propose to enhance the energy yield in a software-defined manner by complementing commodity solar PV systems with cloud-based IoT-controlled reflectors We also propose designs for brownfield and greenfield settings in solar farms We study a number of practical engineering issues including effect of solar azimuth, shadowing effects, ground coverage ratio (GCR) tradeoff, constraints on angular control etc Our designs can raise solar PV energy yield between 50-100% with modest tradeoffs on operational complexity, land requirements (ground coverage ratio) etc The software-defined IoT control allows a variety of current and future operational or business constraints to be flexibly factored in to tradeoff these factors versus economic gain (eg: levelized cost of energy, LCOE) The paper presents both simulation and experimental evidence for our system We are actively piloting this technology with solar PV developers and engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) companies in emerging markets

Photonic Energy Harvesting: Boosting Energy Yield of Commodity Solar Photovoltaic Systems via Software Defined IoT Controls

Performance improvement of two-axis solar tracking system by using flat-mirror reflectors

A review study on mathematical modeling of solar parabolic dish-Stirling system used for electricity generation

The traditional sources of energy in the world are beginning to fade and the issue of finding alternative sources has become an urgent and fundamental. Hence, alternative sources of energy have become the desired solution for a prosperous future and a clean environment. Thus, solar energy is considered one of the most important renewable sources of energy. This paper describes an automatic sun tracking system, based on two stepper motors, and moving solar panel. To gain more energy from the sun, the active surface of the solar cells should be perpendicular to solar radiation, which means that the panel must follow the path of the sun all the time. The orientation of the solar panel towards the sun is achieved by using a C++ program. An experimental comparison between a fixed panel and a moving one is presented.

Automatic Sun-Tracking System

This paper is designed solar tracking system with mirror booster using microcontroller. Solar energy is rapidly becoming an alternative means of electrical source all over the world. To make effective use of solar energy, its efficiency must be maximized. A feasible approach to maximizing the power output of solar array is by sun tracking. This paper deals with the design and construction of solar tracking system by using a stepper motor, gear motor, photo diode. Mirror is used as booster to maximize the efficiency. The whole frame will travel circularly and the mirror will travel from south to north and vice-versa. The prototype is considered around a programmed microcontroller which controls the system by communicating with sensors and motor driver based on movement of the sun. The performance and characteristics of the solar tracker are experimentally analyzed.

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Protik Kumar Das

Papers

Microcontroller Based Automatic Solar Tracking System with Mirror Booster