Overview
Solar energy has become a very attractive energy source in the world due to the rise of oil prices and the negative environmental effects that conventional energy production cause. To provide an efficient solar system, a dual-axis solar tracker was designed, built and tested to maximize the amount of solar energy that can be received from the sun. Dual-axis solar tracker system had a calculated energy gain of 45.4% compared to a fixed solar panel, while single axis tracker system had a calculated annual energy gain of 34.11% compared to a fixed solar panel. |
About us
This system designed for the "Final Year Project" in Electrical Engineering Department at The University of Jordan - Amman Designed by : Khaled Abu Shakh Omran Alamayreh Belal Samor Supervised by: Prof. Mohammed Zeki Khedher |
Our Project ranked as the best project in Jordanian Graduation Projects Contest 2013
This contest organized by Jordan Engineers Association at level of all universities in Jordan
This contest organized by Jordan Engineers Association at level of all universities in Jordan
Dual axis Solar Tracker
Total Energy = 1.2314 KWh per day Gain compared with the Fixed system : 45.4%
While consumed energy % of the total capture energy is 8.87% .
Single axis Solar Tracker
Single axis system (Elevation angle = 30)
Total Energy = 1.1432 KWh per day Gain compared with the Fixed system : 34.11%
While consumed energy % of the total capture energy is 8.84%
Total Energy = 1.1432 KWh per day Gain compared with the Fixed system : 34.11%
While consumed energy % of the total capture energy is 8.84%
Fixed system
Elevation angle = 30, Azimuth = 180 (toward the south )
Total Energy = 0.777 KWh
Total Energy = 0.777 KWh
Power curve for Fixed , single axis and Dual axis systems
As shown from the results obtained and the graph plotted above, it can be concluded that the use of dual axes tracking system results in an increase in total daily energy collection of about 45.4% as compared with 30° tilted fixed surface , while using single axis tracking system it is 34.11%.
The difference between curves appears obviously at morning and at the afternoon; this is because in tracking system the panel is positioned to be perpendicular to the sun light rays.
The difference between curves appears obviously at morning and at the afternoon; this is because in tracking system the panel is positioned to be perpendicular to the sun light rays.
What is new in our project ?
In solar tracking system there is two major theory to track the sun either by using sensors usually (LDR) to get sun position or by using mathematical equations programmed inside a microcontroller .
using sensors is very accurate but it has a big problem ! , in cloudy days the sensors can't track the sun precisely maybe in very cloudy day the tracker can't move !!
using mathematical equations in sunny day is not very accurate compared to sensors but it is acceptable to use it in cloudy days
so our project can run in two modes Equations mode or Sensors mode dependent if there clouds or not .
we get rid of the problem when the system run in sensors mode .
you can check Control Sequence for better understand
using sensors is very accurate but it has a big problem ! , in cloudy days the sensors can't track the sun precisely maybe in very cloudy day the tracker can't move !!
using mathematical equations in sunny day is not very accurate compared to sensors but it is acceptable to use it in cloudy days
so our project can run in two modes Equations mode or Sensors mode dependent if there clouds or not .
we get rid of the problem when the system run in sensors mode .
you can check Control Sequence for better understand