Development and Testing of a Laboratory-Scale Dual Axis Solar Tracking System
摘要
Solar photovoltaic energy is one of the possibilities to overcome the global warming problem. Therefore, this study treat how to improve the performance of solar panels by using tracking system. A solar tracking system destined for laboratories is developed. It is based on on light sensors, a microcontroller for controlling the circuit and a mechanical solar tracking system. The results shows that the sun tracking system improves the production of the photovoltaic generator especially in the morning and in the evening when the production has been multiplied. The tracking system carried out is composed of a mechanical structure which supports and directs the solar panel according to two axes, horizontal and vertical, in the direction of solar radiation, thus an electronic part: solar collectors with a microcontroller “Arduino” followed by actuators, in this case two electric servomotors. The orientation system is based on Arduino software programming for the movement of the solar panel at limited intervals (between sunrise and sunset) in accordance with the sun trajectory during the day so as to make the active surface of the panel perpendicular with solar irradiation. The mechanical structure consists of two mobile parts. A part on the horizontal axis for the variation of azimut of the panel compared to the sun and the other part on the vertical axis for the variation in the panel elevation. We used two servomotors, one for the translation of azimut and one for the elevation. The servomotors are controlled by the Arduino program after comparing tensions. The latter indicates the direction, the direction of the displacement to be made to find the position of the maximum radiation and will ensure the prosecution of the maximum point. Once this point is reached the servomotors will be arrested.