Solar Tracking System : What is this? How It works? Advantage and Disadvantage

Introduction:

·       Renewable energy solutions are becoming popular.

·       Maximizing output from solar system increases efficiency.

·       Presently solar panels are of fixed type which lower the efficiency.

·       Maintaining vertical direction between light and panel maximizes efficiency.

·       Solar tracking system has 35% higher generating power than fixed.

·       Solar tracking system based on PLC can adjust automatically orientation of panel.

WHAT IS SOLAR TRACKER?

A Solar Tracker is a device used for orienting a solar photovoltaic panel or lens towards the sun by using the solar or light sensors connected with the machine-like Stepper motor, gas filled piston, servo motor.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:

·       Auto-tracking control system composed of PLC, sensors, signal processing units, PV cells, electromagnetic and mechanical motion control modules and power supply systems.

·       Panel detects the sun light strength to sensors

·       The sensors output is given to the PLC which compares it and produces an equivalent output so as to rotate the motor and align the panel in the direction of sun

HARDWARE COMPONENTS:

·       SOLAR PANEL

·       LDR SENSORS

·       STEPPER MOTOR

·       RELAY

·       PLC

ADVANTAGES:

·       Simple

·       Low cost

·       Eco-Friendly

·       We can monitor directly using PC

·       Tracking accuracy is more

·       Reduce the usage of power from power grid

DISADVANTAGES:

·       Solar electricity is not available at night and is less available in cloudy weather conditions. Therefore, a storage or complimentary power system is required.

·       Limited power density.

·       Solar cells produce DC which must be converted to AC when used in currently existing distribution grids

CONCLUSION:

·       The invention of Solar Tracking System helps us improve the performance of PV solar system in a simple way

·       Used relative method of sunlight strength.

·       Established a model of automatic tracking system to keep vertical contact between solar panels and sunlight.

·       Improved the utilization rate of solar energy and efficiency of photovoltaic power generation system.