Performance Evaluation of the Designed Two-Axis Solar Tracking System for Trabzon

Abstract

In this paper, a photovoltaic system, which can move both east–west directions horizontally and in a north–south vertically, is designed according to the sun’s angle of incidence. Experimental studies have been carried out on this system, which can follow the change of the sun’s daily angle depending on the local time throughout the day. This study was evaluated for one of the cloudy provinces of Turkey: Trabzon. Optimum motor steps of the two-axis solar tracking system were determined, according to the open-loop control system in order that solar rays reach a perpendicular (90°) to the system. The power generation performance of the two-axis solar tracking system prototype was compared with that of a PV panel, which has a fixed position facing the south. Experimental studies were carried out for three cloudy days. The average power obtained from the fixed system is 12.5, 11.15, and 12.77 W, and the designed system generated 15.67, 14.05, and 15.79 W power, respectively. The results show that the designed system generates approximately 24.7% more power than the 45° fixed-tilted system with the proposed method. In Trabzon, that the number of sunny days is low encourages the widespread use of the two-axis solar tracking system design. The prototype will be an inspiration for researchers who want to generate maximum energy from solar tracking systems in cloudy places or any locations.

KEYWORDS:

• Open-loop control system
• Photovoltaic
• Solar angles
• Solar energy
• Two-axis solar tracking system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Merve Mollahasanoglu

Merve Mollahasanoglu was born in Trabzon, Turkey. She received her BSc and MSc degrees from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey, in 2014 and 2016, respectively. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey. Her research interests include electrical machines, power electronics, renewable energy systems, and control.

Halil İbrahim Okumus

Halil İbrahim Okumus was born in Rize, Turkey. He received his BSc degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) and PhD from Bristol University (UB), United Kingdom, in 1992 and 2001, respectively. He is currently Professor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department at KTU. He has been a member of the Chamber of Electrical Engineers in Turkey. His main research interests are intelligent control of power systems and utilization of renewable energy.Email: [email protected]