Design, Fabrication and Experimental Study of a Novel Two-Axis Sun Tracker

This paper presents the design, construction and also investigates an experimental study of a two axis (azimuth and Polar) automatic control solar tracking system to track solar PV panel according to the direction of beam propagation of solar radiation. The designed tracking system consists of sensor and Microcontroller with built in ADC operated control circuits to drive motor with control software, and gearbearing arrangements with supports and mountings. A digital program operates the designed Sun tracker in the control system. Two steeper motors are used to move the system panel, keeping the sun’s beam at the center of the sensor. To investigate the effect of using two-axis sun tracking systems on the electrical generation of a flat photovoltaic system (FPVS) an experimental study is carried out to evaluate its performance under local climate. The measured variables are compared with the fixed axis. The results indicate that the energy surplus becomes about (3045%) with atmospheric influences. In case of seasonal changes of the sun’s position there is no need to change in the hardware and software of the system. . Considering all above aspects of this tracking system it can be concluded that, it is a flexible tracking system with low cost electromechanical set-up, low maintenance requirements and ease on installation and operation. Index Term–Microcontroller, Solar energy, Sensor, Stepper motor, Two-axis solar tracker.