Fabrication of Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Controller Project
Author(s)
Nader Barsoum
ABSTRACT
The recent decades have seen the increase in demand for reliable and clean form of electricity derived from renewable energy sources. One such example is solar power. The challenge remains to maximize the capture of the rays from the sun for conversion into electricity. This paper presents fabrication and installation of a solar panel mount with a dual-axis solar tracking controller. This is done so that rays from the sun fall perpendicularly unto the solar panels to maximize the capture of the rays by pointing the solar panels towards the sun and following its path across the sky. Thus electricity and efficiency increased.
The recent decades have seen the increase in demand for reliable and clean form of electricity derived from renewable energy sources. One such example is solar power. The challenge remains to maximize the capture of the rays from the sun for conversion into electricity. This paper presents fabrication and installation of a solar panel mount with a dual-axis solar tracking controller. This is done so that rays from the sun fall perpendicularly unto the solar panels to maximize the capture of the rays by pointing the solar panels towards the sun and following its path across the sky. Thus electricity and efficiency increased.
Cite this paper
nullN. Barsoum, "Fabrication of Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Controller Project," Intelligent Control and Automation, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2011, pp. 57-68. doi: 10.4236/ica.2011.22007.
nullN. Barsoum, "Fabrication of Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Controller Project," Intelligent Control and Automation, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2011, pp. 57-68. doi: 10.4236/ica.2011.22007.
References
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[1] M. R. Patel, “Wind and Solar Power Systems Design, Analysis and Operations,” 2nd Edition, CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group Producing a PCB. n.d., Boca Raton, 2006. http://uk.farnell.com/images/en_UK/design_findings8pt2.pdf [2] Solar Tracker, “Sun Path Diagram Image,” 2010. http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/miri.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_ tracker [3] D. Appleyard, “Solar Trackers: Facing the Sun,” Renewable Energy World, Vol. 12, No. 3, 2009. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/ 2009/06/solar-trackers-facing-the-sun [4] N. Barsoum and P. Vasant, “Simplified Solar Tracking Prototype,” Global Journal of Technology and Optimization GJTO, Vol. 1, 2010, pp. 38-45. [5] J. Mak, “Personal Communication Messenger,” In: R. A. Messenger and J. Ventre, “Photovoltaic Systems Engineering,” 2nd Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2004. [6] Yearly Trends: Weather Averages and Extremes, 2010. http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Malaysia/Miri/climate-profile.aspx?month=4 [7] K. Andreas, “Wind Load,” 2002.http://k7nv.com/notebook/=topics/windload.html (accessed April 2, 2010). [8] S. Terry, “Using a Wiper Motor in Your Halloween Projects,” 2010. http://www.scary-terry.com/wipmtr/wipmtr. htm (accessed April 2, 2010). [9] R. Beardmore, “Rolling, Bearing, Friction,” 2010a. http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/Tribology/Bearing%20Friction.html (accessed May 25, 2010) “Coefficient of Friction,” 2010b. http://www.roymech. co.uk/Useful_Tables/Tribology/co_of_frict.htm# coefficients [10] E. A. Avallone and T. Baumeister, eds., “Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers,” 10th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996. [11] R. A. Messenger and J. Ventre, “Photovoltaic Systems Engineering,” 2nd Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2004. [12] J. Iovine, “PIC Microcontroller Project Book,” McGraw Hill, New York, 2000.