Embodiment Design of an Azimuth-Altitude Solar Tracker

Authors: M. Culman, O. Lengerke

Abstract:

To provide an efficient solar generation system, the embodiment design of a two axis solar tracker for an array of photovoltaic (PV) panels destiny to supply the power demand on off-the-grid areas was developed. Photovoltaic cells have high costs in relation to t low efficiency; and while a lot of research and investment has been made to increases its efficiency a few points, there is a profitable solution that increases by 30-40% the annual power production: two axis solar trackers. A solar tracker is a device that supports a load in a perpendicular position toward the sun during daylight. Mounted on solar trackers, the solar panels remain perpendicular to the incoming sunlight at day and seasons so the maximum amount of energy is outputted. Through a preview research done it was justified why the generation of solar energy through photovoltaic panels mounted on dual axis structures is an attractive solution to bring electricity to remote off-the-grid areas. The work results are the embodiment design of an azimuth-altitude solar tracker to guide an array of photovoltaic panels based on a specific design methodology. The designed solar tracker is mounted on a pedestal that uses two slewing drives‚ with a nominal torque of 1950 Nm‚ to move a solar array that provides 3720 W from 12 PV panels.

Keywords: Azimuth-altitude sun tracker, dual-axis solar tracker, photovoltaic system, solar energy, stand-alone power system.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1123612

References:

[1] J. Figueiredo and J. Sá da Costa, "Intelligent Sun-Tracking System for Efficiency Maximization of Photovoltaic Energy Production," CEM-IDMEC, Universidade Évora, Mechatronics Group; IDMEC-IST – Technical University Lisbon, Portugal, Portugal, 2008.
[2] N. Khan, Z. Mariun, N. Saleem and N. Abas, "Fossil Fuels, New Energy Sources and the Great Energy Crisis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2007.
[3] S. Kivrak, M. Gunduzalp and F. Dincer, "Theoretical and experimental performance investigation of a two-axis solar tracker under the climatic condition of Denizli, Turkey," Przegląd Elektrotechniczny, vol. R. 88 NR 2/2012, 2012.
[4] C. Alexandru and M. Comşiţ, "Virtual prototyping of the solar tracking systems," no. CNCSIS research grant - code 418/2006, 2006.
[5] M. Scanlon, "Dual-Axis Tracking Generates More Power," Renewable Energy World Network, vol. 2, no. 6, November, 2012.
[6] M. Sarker, M. Pervez and R. Beg, "Design, Fabrication and Experimental Study of a Novel Two-Axis Sun Tracker," International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronics Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 13, February, 2010.
[7] H. Mousazadeh, A. Keyhani, A. Javadi, H. Mobli, K. Abrinia and A. Sharifi, "A review of principle and sun-tracking methods for maximizing solar systems output," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 13, no. 8, 2009.
[8] A. E. Figueroa, "Análisis, diseño y construcción de un seguidor solar para celdas fotvoltaicas," Universidad Mayor - Facultad de Ingeniería, Santiago de Chile, 2010.
[9] M. Mohd Fadzil, "Development of 2-axis solar panel for soil moisture detector at 4 seasons countries," Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, November, 2010.
[10] A. Catarius and M. Christiner, "Azimuth-Altitude Dual Axis Solar Tracker," Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, December, 2010.
[11] R. Foster, M. Ghassemi and A. Cota, Solar Energy: Renewable Eneergy and the Environment, USA: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2010.
[12] R. M. Swanson, "Photovoltaic Concentrators," in Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, ISBN 0-471-49196-9, 2003.
[13] IDEAM, Ministerio de Ambiente, Vivienda y Desarrollo Territorial, Ministerio de Minas y Energía, UPME., "Mapas de Brillo Solar Colombia," 2005. (Online). Available: http://www.upme.gov.co/Docs/Atlas_Radiacion_Solar/3-Mapas_Brillo_Solar.pdf. (Accessed 5 November 2012).
[14] ReneSola, "Module Virtus II," July 2012. (Online). Available: http://renesola.com/File/download/id/517?t=en. (Accessed 5 November 2012).
[15] M. Carlberg, J. Ekbäck, J. Emme, M. Manoharan, P. P. Praveen and G. Uyanik, "Product development project: Modularized Solar Tracker, A collaboration with SKF," Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2011.
[16] V. Lindberg and J.-P. Maki, "SKF dual axis solar tracker: From concept to product," Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2010.
[17] IMO, "Product catalog: Slew Drive ST 205 US," September 2005. (Online). Available: http://www.goimo.com/uploads/tx_ffimodlCenter/ ST205-US_01.pdf. (Accessed 15 October 2012).