MICROCONTROLLER OPERATED FULLY AUTOMATIC PRECISION DUAL AXES TRACKER FOR HIGH CONENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC (CPV) CELL PANELS

摘要

An automatic dual axes tracker is capable of tracking the Sun to the precision of 0.1 degree accuracy or better. The solar tracker system includes Concentrated Photovoltaic Panels fixed on the mild steel frame. The frame is moved in two axes namely horizontal and vertical rotation with two different slewing gears with high overall gear ratio and geared Motors. The systems position and time is determined using GPS and readings from satellite. The positions of Sun at very fine interval are calculated and stored in micro-sd ram. The physical initialization is set using magnetometer and accelerometer. The structure is moved automatically to follow the Sun exactly. The actual motor movement is obtained from Hall Effect feedback. The optical feedback is used to cross check the accuracy of obtained result. In case of CPV Panels the accuracy of tracking becomes more critical with increase in concentration ratio. At present 500X concentration has become common but present trackers being not sufficiently accurate results into poor overall efficiency of the system. The automatic tracking with microcontroller will be able to handle concentration upto 5000X.