Design, operation, and performance evaluation of a cable‐drawn dual‐axis solar tracker compared to a fixed‐tilted system

Design, operation, and performance evaluation of a cable‐drawn dual‐axis solar tracker compared to a fixed‐tilted system

This article discusses the design, operation, and performance evaluation of a unique cable‐operated 6.24 kWp commercial‐size solar tracking system called iPV dual‐axis tracker or iPV DAT with a position detector to gain the maximum power from the sunlight. Compared with other solar tracking systems,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy science & engineering Vol. 3; no. 6; pp. 549 - 557
Main Authors: Lo, Summer, Cheng, Fritz, Chang, Vincent, Liu, William Der‐Jenq, Chang, Leo, Adurodija, Ojo F., Chou, ErhNan, Lung, Curtis, Liu, Jeff, Lu, Tim, Su, Jeffery, Cheng, Eve
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-11-2015
Subjects:
Algorithms
Cables
Celestial bodies
Corners
Design analysis
Design engineering
Dual axis
Electric cables
Electric motors
Electricity generation
Electronic control
fixed‐tilt PV system
Galvanized steel
Ground cover
iPV dual‐axis tracker
Maximum power
Modules
Optimization
Performance evaluation
Photovoltaic cells
photovoltaic system
solar energy
solar tracking system
Stainless steel
Structural steels
Sun
Tracking systems
China
Taiwan
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Summary:This article discusses the design, operation, and performance evaluation of a unique cable‐operated 6.24 kWp commercial‐size solar tracking system called iPV dual‐axis tracker or iPV DAT with a position detector to gain the maximum power from the sunlight. Compared with other solar tracking systems, low cost, simplified hardware structure, and controlling algorithm are the advantages of this system. The operating method of the 6.24 kWp iPV DAT follow a simple pull and release of the steel cables connecting the corners of the PV module frame to the electric motors and directed by an electronic control system. The steel cables attached to the corners of the module frame also provide an extra stability in the event of high wind of up to 220 km/h. The accuracy of the tracking effect is managed by an astronomical algorithm that enables a full 360° azimuth rotation and altitude tilt of −40° to 40° (0 = horizontal). The controller algorithm also includes backtracking capability that allows optimization of ground cover ratio. Performance evaluation of the iPV DAT installed and operated in Taiwan for 12 months is compared with a fixed‐tilt PV system. An average electricity gain of 30.1% and performance ratio of 93% are realized using iPV DAT. The design, operation, and performance evaluation of a cable‐drawn dual‐axis solar tracker compared to a fixed‐tilted system. Work is based on the development and application of an innovative 6.24 kWp commercial solar tracker (iPV) that uses drawn cables to drive position the PV array in the direction of the sun throughout the day. The iPV tracker is attempted to simplify and increasing the reliability of the solar tracking systems, thus lowering the operation and maintenance costs.
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ISSN:2050-0505
2050-0505
DOI:10.1002/ese3.92