Innovative bi-axial tracking mechanism for PV modules

Abstract

The paper deals with an innovative bi-axial tracking mechanism for a group of photovoltaic (PV) modules, which combines the features of the classical platform and string configurations. For the daily movement (corresponding to the primary axis), the sun tracking is performed as in the case of a PV platform, while the elevation movement (around the secondary axis, which is referenced to the primary one) is transmitted similar to the case of a string of PV modules. The sun tracking is conducted by an open-loop control strategy, based on a predefined step-by-step algorithm, which was designed so that to capture as much as possible incident solar radiation with a minimum energy consumption for achieving the orientation. The modeling, simulation and optimization of the solar tracker is performed by using the virtual prototyping package ADAMS.