PLC Controlled Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Astronomical Equations
Abstract
In recent years, climate change and the global energy crisis have increased the interest in renewable energy. Solar, wind and hydraulic energy, which are among the renewable energy sources, are the areas where the most investments are made. Of these three renewable energy sources, solar energy has the highest growth rate. In order to increase the electrical energy obtained from the sun, more efficient panels are being produced. Also, one of the good ways to increase the amount of energy produced by solar panels is to expose the solar panel to more solar radiation. This is possible if the angle between the panel and the sun is always perpendicular. Therefore, the panel should focus on the sun and receive the highest solar radiation according to the sun's daily and seasonal movements. In this study, firstly, the classification of solar tracking systems used for solar panels to follow the sun is explained. Then, the method of calculating azimuth and elevation angles using astronomical equations is given. Finally, the hardware and software details of the control of the solar tracking system with PLC using astronomical equations are presented.
References
Mohammadi, S. A. D., & Gezegin, C. (2022). Design and Simulation of Grid-Connected Solar PV System Using PVSYST, PVGIS and HOMER Software: Design and Simulation of Using PVSYST, PVGIS and HOMER Software. International Journal of Pioneering Technology and Engineering, 1(01), 36-41.
Elibol, E., Özmen, Ö. T., Tutkun, N., & Köysal, O. (2017). Outdoor performance analysis of different PV panel types. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 67, 651-661.
World Energy Resources: Solar World Energy Council 2013. (2013). https://www.worldenergy.org/assets/images/imported/2013/10/WER_2013_8_Solar_revised.pdf, (24.10.2022).
Kurşun, B., İşçi, A., Ünügür, T., Dartma, O., & Çelikkol, M. (2022). Analysis of immersion depth in cooling a photovoltaic module by water immersion: An experimental study. International Journal of Pioneering Technology and Engineering, 1(01), 28-31.
Nsengiyumva, W., Chen, S. G., Hu, L., & Chen, X. (2018). Recent advancements and challenges in Solar Tracking Systems (STS): A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81, 250-279.
Kabir, E., Kumar, P., Kumar, S., Adelodun, A. A., & Kim, K. H. (2018). Solar energy: Potential and future prospects. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 894-900.
Kumar, K., Varshney, L., Ambikapathy, A., Saket, R. K., & Mekhilef, S. (2021). Solar tracker transcript—A review. International Transactions on Electrical Energy Systems, 31(12), e13250.
Kannan, N., & Vakeesan, D. (2016). Solar energy for future world:-A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 62, 1092-1105.
Nadia, A. R., Isa, N. A. M., & Desa, M. K. M. (2018). Advances in solar photovoltaic tracking systems: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 82, 2548-2569.
Hafez, A. Z., Yousef, A. M., & Harag, N. M. (2018). Solar tracking systems: Technologies and trackers drive types–A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 91, 754-782.
Singh, R., Kumar, S., Gehlot, A., & Pachauri, R. (2018). An imperative role of sun trackers in photovoltaic technology: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 3263-3278.
Clifford, M. J., & Eastwood, D. (2004). Design of a novel passive solar tracker. Solar Energy, 77(3), 269-280.
Almadani, I. K., Osman, I. S., & Hariri, N. G. (2022). In-Depth Assessment and Optimized Actuation Method of a Novel Solar-Driven Thermomechanical Actuator via Shape Memory Alloy. Energies, 15(10), 3807.
Safan, Y. M., Shaaban, S., & El-Sebah, M. I. A. (2018). Performance evaluation of a multi-degree of freedom hybrid controlled dual axis solar tracking system. Solar Energy, 170, 576-585.
Jeong, K., Hong, T., Koo, C., Oh, J., Lee, M., & Kim, J. (2017). A prototype design and development of the smart photovoltaic system blind considering the photovoltaic panel, tracking system, and monitoring system. Applied Sciences, 7(10), 1077.
Darin Koblick (2022). Vectorized Solar Azimuth and Elevation Estimation (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/23051-vectorized-solar-azimuth-and-elevation-estimation), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
