2. DOI: 10.1109/ISGT-LA.2013.6554440
IEEE
Published in:
Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Latin America
(ISGT LA), 2013 IEEE PES Conference, Sao Paulo
Date of Conference:
15-17 April 2013
Author:
Ribeiro, G.A.G.
Univ. Fed. de Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil
da S Antonio, A. ; Moreira, T.M.S. ; Martins, G. ;
Pereira, H.A.
3. SUN TRACKER
Abstract
The power generated by a solar panel is directly
related to the level of solar irradiance on the panel.
Thus a system capable of tracking the solar movement
improves the efficiency in the generated power. This
work presents a study of solar radiation levels and the
construction of a sun tracking prototype in order to
follow the movement of the sun during the day and
increase the power generated by the panel.
4. SUN TRACKER
INTRODUCTION
The performance of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is
mostly dependent on climatic conditions.
❖ Angle of incident solar irradiance
❖ Temperature
5. SUN TRACKER
Why a solar tracker?
❖ To align the solar panel to the maximum power point for changes in the
environment .
❖ Improves efficiency of the total system and increase power production.
8. SUN TRACKER
How to track the sun ?
What we know :
❖ Sun rises in the East and sets in the West
❖ Time of Sunrise and Sunset varies everyday
We have EQUATIONS , and we can predict all these precisely .
12. SUN TRACKER
❖ MATLAB SOFTWARE
❖ MATLAB Software was used to predict characteristics of
solar irradiation using the above equations
❖ Results in numerical and graphical form were obtained
14. SUN TRACKER
❖ BUILDING OF PROTOTYPE :
Aim : To construct a simple prototype :One axis sun tracker
Physical Design Consists of : Wooden Base
A freely rotating shaft
Solar Panel
Motor
Gear and tooth pulley system
16. SUN TRACKER
❖ DRIVE AND CONTROL STRATEGY
It Consist of : Micro controller : PIC 16F877
Motor Driver : ULN 2004
Display : 16x2 LCD
Stepper Motor : 15 Degree’s Step Angle
Battery : 12V
17. SUN TRACKER
Side Showing Display and
switches for adjusting Time
SPYDER 8 : Communication
channel port and power supply
18. SUN TRACKER
❖ How it works?
Set the TIME and DATE in the control circuit and the
algorithm would take over the control of the whole system
It would align the panel correspondingly , by calculating the
sun rise, sun set and geometrical position of the sun.
19. SUN TRACKER
❖ SYSTEM DATA ACQUISITION AND BUILT SYSTEM
❖ DAS : SPYDER 8 : An electronic measuring system for PC’s
8 channels for Input and Output
Printer port
PC/Master port
Current Measurement : Honeywell CSLA1CF current sensor
21. SUN TRACKER
❖ EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Solar Panel used :
Stationary Panel set at inclination of 25° towards the geographical north.
Moving Panel was inserted to the Prototype .
22. SUN TRACKER
❖ DATA COLLECTION
The collected data for comparison between the fixed panel and tracking
system were made on days 20, 21 and 22 August 2012, in the Viçosa
(Minas Gerais). In this period of the year it is winter in Brazil.
33. SUN TRACKER
❖ CONCLUSION
❖ A Solar tracker improves the Power generated.
❖ Even effective on cloudy days.
❖ Increase in power generated was more than 18%.
❖ Efficiency can be further improved using a stepper motor with smaller
step angles
