DEVELOPING SMART SELF ORIENTING SOLAR TRACKER FOR MOBLIE PV POWER GENERATION SYSTEMS
Abstract
The study covers the design and application of an autonomous dual-axis smart solar tracking system in order to maximise the energy output of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The system is built around a mathematical model that takes the position of the sun in relation to the PV panels into account. Microprocessor, Global Positioning System (GPS), a digital compass, and a gyro orientation sensor are all included. Technology increases the overall efficiency of PV panels while utilising the least amount of electricity possible for the tracking device by using a sophisticated method to precisely monitor the sun. Use of 50 W PV panels allowed for an empirical test of the system in Baghdad, Iraq. The testing also made use of simulated tracking data from Berlin, Singapore, and Sydney. The test results demonstrated that the designed system can follow the sun while minimising power consumption everywhere in the world. In order to achieve this, the tracker is run at regular intervals that make sure the tracking system consumes the least amount of electricity while allowing PV panels to produce the most power. The mechanism only briefly utilised 0.62% to 0.68% of the energy increase. An important prerequisite for the widespread acceptance of solar energy as a renewable energy source is the development of an autonomous solar tracking system that is well-designed and effective and can be utilised to maximise the energy output of PV panels in any place on Earth.
Keywords
Photovoltaic panels, Microcontroller, GPS, Digital compass, Gyro orientation sensor.