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Experimental Assessment of Photovoltaic Systems Using One-Axis Tracking and Positioning Strategies in Equatorial Regions

Abstract:

The performance of photovoltaic systems may be enhanced by using solar tracking and positioning strategies. In equatorial regions, one-axis tracking seems to be more advantageous than two-axes tracking, because the solar movement that implies similar energy productions with less mechanical elements for the one-axis tracking. Moreover, to increase the energy production of such systems, positioning strategies, that consist in put the FV panels in horizontal position when cloudy conditions, are suggested to be implemented. In this work, experimental results of the enhancement of a one-axis solar tracking system and a positioning strategy system are reported. For the positioning strategies, three algorithms were studied: one with a GHI threshold, one with a DNI/GHI threshold and one with a TA threshold. The test bench was implemented in Quito-Ecuador. Results show the big advantage to use one-axis solar tracking for PV systems, achieving enhancements between 6 to 37%, facing to a fixed system. Also, results suggest that positioning strategies do not mean big enhancements, with increases of 6% for cloudy conditions and becoming negative for sunny conditions. These results suggest that positioning strategies are interesting only for locations with high number of time with cloudy conditions.