Solar tracking methods to maximize PV system output – A review of the methods adopted in recent decade

This paper reports a review of various methods of solar tracking with gains in energy due to tracking and different MPPT algorithms. The fossil fuels are non-renewable, limited and deplete. Therefore, it is imperative to find alternative sources of energy. As solar energy is available abundantly in nature, it can be considered as a best alternative to meet the energy demand. It is sustainable, renewable and scalable. Increasing the efficiency of harnessing solar energy should be one of our foremost concerns as it is a renewable source. The challenge in tapping this energy is to increase the efficiency as well as to reduce the cost of production. Therefore an attempt is made to review the various Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms, different solar tracking methods and the energy gained by using these methods. Further, a single axis microcontroller based automatic tracker is implemented and tested for its performance in real time. The work focusses on the orientation of solar panel towards the direction of maximum radiation by using a stepper motor interfaced with ARM processor.

[1]  Cemil Sungur,et al.  Multi-axes sun-tracking system with PLC control for photovoltaic panels in Turkey , 2009 .

[2]  E. Hossain,et al.  Efficiency improvement of solar cell using compound parabolic concentrator and sun tracking system , 2008, 2008 IEEE Canada Electric Power Conference.

[3]  Cheng Siong Chin,et al.  Design, Modeling and Testing of a Standalone Single Axis Active Solar Tracker using MATLAB/Simulink , 2011 .

[4]  R. Tang,et al.  Optical performance of inclined south-north single-axis tracked solar panels , 2010 .

[5]  A. Goetzberger,et al.  Two-stage concentrator permitting concentration factors up to 300x with one-axis tracking , 1996 .

[6]  Wei Gu,et al.  Application design of a sun-tracking system , 2013, 2013 25th Chinese Control and Decision Conference (CCDC).

[7]  Hamdy A. Kandil,et al.  Feasibility of solar tracking systems for PV panels in hot and cold regions , 2016 .

[8]  Ravi Tejwani,et al.  360° sun tracking with automated cleaning system for solar PV modules , 2010, 2010 35th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference.

[9]  Rustu Eke,et al.  Performance comparison of a double-axis sun tracking versus fixed PV system , 2012 .

[10]  Ali Deihimi,et al.  Neural network based global maximum power point tracking under partially shaded conditions , 2015, 2015 23rd Iranian Conference on Electrical Engineering.

[11]  Hui Shen,et al.  Calculation of the hourly and daily radiation incident on three step tracking planes , 2003 .

[12]  Bin-Juine Huang,et al.  Feasibility study of one axis three positions tracking solar PV with low concentration ratio reflector , 2007 .

[13]  Himangshu Ranjan Ghosh,et al.  Determining seasonal optimum tilt angles, solar radiations on variously oriented, single and double axis tracking surfaces at Dhaka , 2010 .

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

[15]  Harun Kemal Ozturk,et al.  Design of a new three-degree of freedom spherical motor for photovoltaic-tracking systems , 2009 .

[16]  K. A. Moharram,et al.  Influence of cleaning using water and surfactants on the performance of photovoltaic panels , 2013 .

[17]  Gang Yang,et al.  A multipurpose dual-axis solar tracker with two tracking strategies , 2014 .

[18]  G. C. Bakos,et al.  Design and construction of a two-axis Sun tracking system for parabolic trough collector (PTC) efficiency improvement , 2006 .

[19]  Mariacristina Roscia,et al.  Comparative analysis of fixed and sun tracking low power PV systems considering energy consumption , 2015 .

[20]  S. Nann,et al.  Potentials for tracking photovoltaic systems and V-troughs in moderate climates , 1990 .

[21]  Mokhtar Bidi,et al.  Effects of tracking modes on the performance of a solar MED plant , 2016 .

[22]  Uli Lemmer,et al.  A simple tracking system to monitor solar PV panels , 2014 .

[23]  H. O. Njoku,et al.  Upper-limit solar photovoltaic power generation: Estimates for 2-axis tracking collectors in Nigeria , 2016 .

[24]  R. Boukenoui,et al.  A new Golden Section method-based maximum power point tracking algorithm for photovoltaic systems , 2016 .

[25]  Chetan Singh Solanki,et al.  Experimental evaluation of V-trough (2 suns) PV concentrator system using commercial PV modules , 2007 .

[26]  Amit Konar,et al.  Microprocessor based automatic Sun tracker , 1991 .

[27]  V. Poulek,et al.  Testing the new solar tracker with shape memory alloy actors , 1994, Proceedings of 1994 IEEE 1st World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion - WCPEC (A Joint Conference of PVSC, PVSEC and PSEC).

[28]  Khaled E. Addoweesh,et al.  Sun position algorithm for sun tracking applications , 2014, IECON 2014 - 40th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society.

[29]  Fabienne Sallaberry,et al.  Direct tracking error characterization on a single-axis solar tracker , 2015 .

[30]  Paulson Samuel,et al.  GMPPT of solar PV array under partial shading condition using LabVIEW FPGA , 2015, IECON 2015 - 41st Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society.

[31]  Abhijit Bhowmik,et al.  Three dimensional solar tracker with unique sensor arrangement , 2015, 2015 International Conference on Smart Technologies and Management for Computing, Communication, Controls, Energy and Materials (ICSTM).

[32]  C. Grass,et al.  Comparison of the optics of non-tracking and novel types of tracking solar thermal collectors for process heat applications up to 300 °C , 2004 .

[33]  Chao Fu,et al.  Design and implementation of a novel MPPT controller based on sun tracking technology , 2008, 2008 International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems.

[34]  Z. Salam,et al.  A Modified P&O Maximum Power Point Tracking Method With Reduced Steady-State Oscillation and Improved Tracking Efficiency , 2016, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy.

[35]  Divya Mereddy,et al.  Smart Dual Axes Solar tracking , 2015, 2015 International Conference on Energy Systems and Applications.

[36]  Tian Pau Chang,et al.  Performance study on the east–west oriented single-axis tracked panel , 2009 .

[37]  Hohyun Lee,et al.  Design of a low-profile two-axis solar tracker , 2013 .

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

[39]  Y. Al-Turki,et al.  A review on maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic systems with and without shading conditions , 2017 .

[40]  Naum Fraidenraich,et al.  Comparison of the performance of PV water pumping systems driven by fixed, tracking and V-trough generators , 2004 .

[41]  Bin-Juine Huang,et al.  Long-term field test of solar PV power generation using one-axis 3-position sun tracker , 2011 .

[42]  M. A. Mosalam Shaltout,et al.  V-TROUGH CONCENTRATOR ON A PHOTOVOLTAIC FULL TRACKING SYSTEM IN A HOT DESERT CLIMATE , 1995 .

[43]  Mostafa Mehrtash,et al.  Tracking strategy for photovoltaic solar systems in high latitudes , 2015 .

[44]  Wei Li,et al.  Numerical study on the properties of an active sun tracker for solar streetlight , 2013 .

[45]  Masoud Rahimi,et al.  An insight on advantage of hybrid sun–wind-tracking over sun-tracking PV system , 2015 .

[46]  Francisco Gordillo,et al.  Application of new control strategy for sun tracking , 2007 .

[47]  Mustapha Koussa,et al.  Measured and modelled improvement in solar energy yield from flat plate photovoltaic systems utilizing different tracking systems and under a range of environmental conditions , 2011 .

[48]  Teolan Tomson.  Discrete two-positional tracking of solar collectors , 2008 .

[49]  James E. Braun,et al.  Solar geometry for fixed and tracking surfaces , 1983 .

[50]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Comparison of performance and cost effectiveness of solar water heaters at different collector tracking modes in Cyprus and Greece , 1999 .

[51]  Yang Xiu,et al.  Efficiency optimization of photovoltaic arrays based on distributed max power point tracking , 2012, IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies.

[52]  K. Balasubramanian,et al.  A microprocessor controlled automatic sun tracker , 1991 .

[53]  Mohanad Alata,et al.  Developing a multipurpose sun tracking system using fuzzy control , 2005 .

[54]  Ke-Horng Chen,et al.  A photovoltaic system with analog maximum power point tracking and grid-synchronous control , 2012, 2012 15th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference (EPE/PEMC).

[55]  Shelly Vadhera,et al.  Hardware implementation of solar tracking system using a stepper motor , 2015, 2015 International Conference on Energy, Power and Environment: Towards Sustainable Growth (ICEPE).