Mono-axial Solar Tracker with Equatorial Mount, for an Improved Model of a Photovoltaic Panel

Hicham Bouzakri, Ahmed Abbou

Abstract


In order to maximize the efficiency of a photovoltaic panel, a mechanical system known as a solar tracker is introduced.

This paper offers a model of a solar tracker that allows the photovoltaic panel with a single tracking axis and a single motor to receive a quantity of solar radiation similar to those received by a normal surface. Which will reduce the cost of production, facilitate maintenance and minimize the consumption of the system, keeping the maximum performance throughout the year.

Our solar tracker uses a modified equatorial mount, in order to follow the sun perfectly. Theoretical studies show that the yield of such a device varies according to the seasons between 91.7% at the winter and summer solstice, and 100% at the equinoxes compared to a normal surface to solar radiation. In order to compensate the loss at the solstices, we proposed to introduce mirrors at the top and bottom of the photovoltaic panel of a well-calculated size and angle.

After carrying out the project, a real comparison made, showed us that our model offers an efficiency of about 43.46% compared to a fixed installation of the photovoltaic panel.


Keywords


solar tracker; photovoltaic panel; mono axial; Sun tracking; equatorial mount; radiation

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References


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DOI (PDF): https://doi.org/10.20508/ijrer.v10i2.10645.g7927

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