Skip to main content

Design of a Single-Axis Solar Tracker Using LDRs

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Intelligent Communication, Control and Devices

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 624))

Abstract

Trackers are equipment which are used to get direct sunlight through a uniform orientation according to the position of sun in sky. They are intended to get maximum power through sunlight tracking. Solar technology has been playing a major role in generating electricity. Tremendous research is going in for designing the efficient solar trackers. The initial cost of solar trackers is no doubt high but their running cost and maintenance cost is quite low. Nowadays, solar trackers are becoming beneficial for the grids which are difficult to connect and setup. The smooth operation of solar trackers making them widely used for electricity generation. This paper presents a design of an Op-Amp and relay-based solar tracking system that uses the servo motor and light dependent resistors (LDRs) for the systematic and effective operation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. YU, Peter, Cardona, Manuel, “Fundamentals of Semiconductors - Physics and Materials Properties”, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Volker Quaschning, “Renewable Energy and Climate Change”, 1st edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd Chichester, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kimiyoshi Kobayashi, Hirofumi Matsuo, and Yutaka Sekine, “An excellent operating point tracker of the solar-cell power supply system,” in IEEE Trans on IE, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 495–499, 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  4. F. Liu, S. Duan, B. Liu, and Y. Kang, “A variable step size INC MPPT method for PV systems,” in IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 55, no. 7, pp. 2622–2628, Jul. 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  5. T. Esram and P.L. Chapman, “Comparison of photovoltaic array maximum power point tracking techniques,” in IEEE Trans. Energy Convers., vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 439–449, Jun. 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  6. G. Petrone, G. Spagnuolo, R. Teodorescu, M. Veerachary, and M. Vitelli, “Reliability issues in photovoltaic power processing systems,” in IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 55, no. 7, pp. 2569–2580, Jul. 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Azadeh Safari and Saad Mekhilef, “Simulation and Hardware Implementation of Incremental Conductance MPPT With Direct Control Method Using Cuk Converter,” in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 58, no. 4, April. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Huang BJ, Sun FS, “Feasibility study of one axis three positions tracking solar PV with low concentration ratio reflector,” in Energy Convers Manage, vol. 48, pp. 1273–1280, 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  9. M. Veerachary, T. Senjyu, and K. Uezato, “Neural-network-based maximum-power-point tracking of coupled-inductor interleaved-boost-converter-supplied PV system using fuzzy controller,” in IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron, vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 749–758, Aug. 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Huld T, Cebecauer T, Šuri M, Dunlop E, “An analysis of one-axis tracking strategies for PV systems in Europe”, in Progress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 183–194, 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Neville RC, “Solar energy collector orientation and tracking mode,” in Solar Energy, vol. 20, pp. 7–11, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kalogirou S., “Parabolic trough collector system for low temperature steam generation: design and performance characteristics,” in Applied Energy, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chang TP, “The gain of single-axis tracked panel according to extra-terrestrial radiation,” in Applied Energy, vol. 86, pp. 1074–1079, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chang TP, “Output energy of a photovoltaic module mounted on a single-axis tracking system,” in Applied Energy, vol. 86, pp. 2071–2078, 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Nann S., “Potentials for tracking photovoltaic systems and V-troughs in moderate climates,” in Solar Energy, vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 385–393, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Helwa N, Bahgat A, El Shafee A, “Maximum collectable solar energy by different tracking systems,” in Energy Sources, vol. 22, pp. 23–34, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Al-Mohamad A, “Efficiency improvements of photo-voltaic panels using a suntracking system,” in Applied Energy, vol. 79, pp. 345–354, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Edenburn MW, “Performance analysis of a cylindrical parabolic focusing collector and comparison with experimental results,” in Solar Energy, vol. 18, pp. 437– 444, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Braun JE, Mitchell JC, “Solar geometry for fixed and tracking surfaces,” in Solar Energy, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 439–444, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Cucumo M, Kaliakatsos D, Marinelli V, “General calculation methods for solar trajectories,” in Renewable Energy, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 223–234, 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Morcos VH, “Optimum tilt angle and orientation for solar collectors in Assiut, Egypt,” in Renewable Energy, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 291–298, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kacira M, Simsek M, Babur Y, Demirkol S, “Determining optimum tilt angles and orientations of photovoltaic panels in Sanliurfa, Turkey” in Renewable Energy, vol. 29, pp. 1265–1275, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  23. E. Koutroulis, K. Kalaitzakis, and N. C. Voulgaris, “Development of a microcontroller-based, photovoltaic maximum power point tracking control system,” in IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 46–54, Jan. 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  24. S. Jain and V. Agarwal, “A new algorithm for rapid tracking of approximate maximum power point in photovoltaic systems,” in IEEE Power Electron, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 16–19, Mar. 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Pandey, N. Dasgupta, and A. K. Mukerjee, “Design issues in implementing MPPT for improved tracking and dynamic performance,” in Proc. 32nd IECON, pp. 4387–4391, Nov. 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  26. K. H. Hussein, I. Muta, T. Hoshino, and M. Osakada, “Maximum photovoltaic power tracking: An algorithm for rapidly changing atmospheric conditions,” in Proc. Inst. Elect. Eng.—Gener., Transmiss. Distrib., vol. 142, no. 1, pp. 59–64, Jan. 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  27. T.-F.Wu, C.-H. Chang, and Y.-H. Chen, “A fuzzy-logic-controlled single stage converter for PV-powered lighting system applications,” in IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 287–296, Apr. 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  28. N. Femia, G. Petrone, G. Spagnuolo, and M. Vitelli, “Optimization of perturb and observe maximum power point tracking method,” in IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 963–973, Jul. 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  29. N. Femia, D. Granozio, G. Petrone, G. Spagnuolo, and M. Vitelli, “Predictive & adaptive MPPT perturb and observe method,” in IEEE Trans. Aerosp. Electron. Syst., vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 934–950, Jul. 2007.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Utkarsh Jadli .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Jadli, U., Uniyal, S., Uniyal, I. (2018). Design of a Single-Axis Solar Tracker Using LDRs. In: Singh, R., Choudhury, S., Gehlot, A. (eds) Intelligent Communication, Control and Devices. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 624. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5903-2_110

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5903-2_110

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-5902-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-5903-2

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics