Energy crisis promotes the development of renewable
energy, especially the solar energy. Sun tracking system proposed in this paper
is such a device for efficiency improvement. This closed loop tracking system
with two axis sun tracking method is controlled by a programmable logic
controller (PLC) and is used for a large dish solar collector. A combination tracking
mode combined active and passive tracking methods used in the design make the
tracker efficient whatever the circumstances. Two stepper motors and two
reduction boxes move the device towards the sun with chain transmission.
Besides sun tracking, the system also has functions of overheat monitoring,
wind speed monitoring and measurement of illumination.
References
[1]
International Energy Agency,World energy outlook 2012, 2012.
[2]
R. Eke and A. Senturk, “Performance Comparison of a Double-axis Sun Tracking Versus Fixed PV System,” Solar Energy, Vol. 86, No. 9, 2012, pp. 2665-2672.
doi:10.1016/j.solener.2012.06.006
[3]
P. Roth, A. Georgiev and H. Boudinov, “Design and Construction of a System for Sun-tracking,” Renewable Energy, 2004, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 393-402.
doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(03)00196-4
[4]
F. R. Rubio, M. G. Otega, F. Gordillo and M. Lopez-Martinez, “Application of New Control Strategy for Sun Tracking,” Energy Conversion and Management, 2007, Vol. 48, No. 7, pp. 2174-2184.
doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2006.12.020
[5]
C. X. Du, P. Wang and C. F. Ma, “A High Accuracy Algorithm for the Calculation of Solar Position,” Energy engineering,Vol.2,2010,pp.40-48. http://www.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?
[6]
R. Foster, M. Ghassemi and A. Cota, “Solar Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment,” BeiJing: Post and Telecommunications Press, 2010.
[7]
S. Abdallah and N.Salem, “Two Axes Sun Tracking System with PLC Control,” Energy Conversion and Management,2004,Vol.45,No.11-12,pp.1931-1939. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2003.10.007
