Evaluating multi-axes sun-tracking system at different modes of operation in Jordan

A concise overview on recent research work on sun-tracking system is presented. Also, an experimental investigation on the effect of using multi-axes sun-tracking systems on the electrical generation of a flat photovoltaic system (FPVS) was carried out to evaluate its performance under Jordanian climate. Multi-axes (N-S, E-W, vertical) electromechanical sun-tracking system was designed and constructed. The measured variables were compared with that at fixed axis. It was found that there was an overall increase of about 30-45% in the output power for the North-South axes (N-S)-tracking system compared to the fixed PV system. Also, it was found that the N-S axes sun tracking is the optimum.

[1]  D. Laplaze,et al.  Design and construction of a sun tracker , 1984 .

[2]  B. Sandnes,et al.  A photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collector with a polymer absorber plate. Experimental study and analytical model , 2002 .

[3]  Adel A. Hegazy,et al.  Comparative study of the performances of four photovoltaic/thermal solar air collectors. , 2000 .

[4]  A. De Vos,et al.  On some thermodynamic aspects of photovoltaic solar energy conversion , 1995 .

[5]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Solar thermal collectors and applications , 2004 .

[6]  N. K. Bansal,et al.  Energy Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Module Production in India , 1995 .

[7]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Seawater desalination using renewable energy sources , 2005 .

[8]  S. Kalogirou Design and construction of a one-axis sun-tracking system , 1996 .

[9]  A. Parretta,et al.  Effects of solar irradiation conditions on the outdoor performance of photovoltaic modules , 1998 .

[10]  Sode-Shinni Nmadu Rumala,et al.  A shadow method for automatic tracking , 1986 .

[11]  Richard C. Neville,et al.  Solar energy collector orientation and tracking mode , 1978 .

[12]  W. Beckman,et al.  Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes , 1985 .

[13]  E. Mandado,et al.  Programmable logic devices and logic controllers , 1996 .

[14]  Valery D. Rumyantsev,et al.  Solar photovoltaics: Trends and prospects , 2004 .

[15]  Said M.A. Ibrahim The forced circulation performance of a sun tracking parabolic concentrator collector , 1996 .

[16]  M.A.K. Lodhi,et al.  A hybrid system of solar photovoltaic, thermal and hydrogen: a future trend , 1995 .

[17]  Salem Nijmeh,et al.  Two axes sun tracking system with PLC control , 2004 .

[18]  Abdul Jabbar N. Khalifa,et al.  Effect of two-axis sun tracking on the performance of compound parabolic concentrators , 1998 .

[19]  R. Tscharner,et al.  Photovoltaic technology: the case for thin-film solar cells , 1999, Science.

[20]  R. W. Bentley,et al.  Increasing the cost-effectiveness of small solar photovoltaic pumping systems , 1995 .

[21]  Harald Ries,et al.  Velocity-controlled tracking of the sun , 1990 .

[22]  P. Davies,et al.  Sun-tracking mechanism using equatorial and ecliptic axes , 1993 .

[23]  P. Roth,et al.  Design and construction of a system for sun-tracking , 2004 .

[24]  Fouad Kamel,et al.  Perspectives on grid-connected photovoltaic solar generators , 1995 .

[25]  Tatsuo Tani,et al.  Evaluation of photovoltaic modules considering spectral solar radiation , 1994 .

[26]  Y. Hirata,et al.  Output variation of photovoltaic modules with environmental factors—I. The effect of spectral solar radiation on photovoltaic module output , 1995 .

[27]  W. J. Bonwick,et al.  Experience with a sun tracker system , 1984 .

[28]  W. Beckman,et al.  SOLAR ENGINEERING OF THERMAL PROCESSES Second Edition , 2009 .

[29]  P. Roth,et al.  Cheap two axis sun following device , 2005 .

[30]  A. K. Barua THIN FILM SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGIES : POTENTIAL FOR COST REDUCTION OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICITY , 1996 .