Dual-axis photovoltaic tracking system – Design and experimental investigation

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2017-11, Vol.139, p.1267-1274
• Main Authors: Seme, Sebastijan, Srpčič, Gregor, Kavšek, Domen, Božičnik, Stane, Letnik, Tomislav, Praunseis, Zdravko, Štumberger, Bojan, Hadžiselimović, Miralem
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Control systems; Design and testing; Photovoltaic; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Solar energy; Sun tracking system; Tracking control systems; Tracking systems
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.05.153

This paper presents the design and experimental testing of a dual-axis photovoltaic tracking system. The production and presentation of the tracking system are divided into the mechanical and electrical parts. The primary focus of the work is to present the accuracy of the open-loop control system (photo sensors) for tracking the trajectory of the Sun, which has been implemented and tested on a dual-axis tracking system. Good agreement between the calculated and measured azimuth and zenith angles of the tracking system was determined. The quality of operation of the tracking system has been evaluated by comparing the quantity of generated electrical energy of a fixed photovoltaic system with the aforementioned photovoltaic tracking system. The results of measurements of the open-loop control system show that the control system could be adapted to larger tracking systems. •Design dual-axis photovoltaic tracking system.•The open loop control system for tracking the trajectory of the Sun.•Good agreement between calculated and measured angles of the tracking system.•The open loop control system could be adapted to larger tracking systems.