Mr.Pinij Siripuekpong Assistant Director of

Research and Development OfficeElectricity Generating Authority of Thailand

Appropriate TechnologyAppropriate Technologyforfor

Solar Tracking SystemSolar Tracking System

OutlineOutline

• BackgroundBackground

• The Principle of Solar Tracking SystemThe Principle of Solar Tracking System

• Design and componentsDesign and components

• Testing Testing

• ConclusionConclusion

BackgroundBackground

- PV solar water pumping system will be startedPV solar water pumping system will be started at 9:30 and stopped at 15:00at 9:30 and stopped at 15:00- The most simple and principal way to get moreThe most simple and principal way to get more energy output from the PV modules is rotatingenergy output from the PV modules is rotating the modules following the sun as it orbits fromthe modules following the sun as it orbits from the East to the West during the day.the East to the West during the day.- The problems of solar tracking system are :-The problems of solar tracking system are :- * Imported tracking system (high investment cost)* Imported tracking system (high investment cost)

* No spare parts for maintenance* No spare parts for maintenance * high energy consumption for tracking system* high energy consumption for tracking system

The amount of electrical energy generated from PV panelsThe amount of electrical energy generated from PV panelsdepends ondepends on incident angles/projected areasincident angles/projected areas

Projected AreaProjected Area

Collector AreaCollector Area

PV panelsPV panels

Comparison of Solar Energy Comparison of Solar Energy (Stationary vs. Tracked)(Stationary vs. Tracked)

Photovoltaic Solar Water PumpPhotovoltaic Solar Water Pump

Storage Tank

Controller

Water Pipe line

PV Solar Panels

Filter Tank

Cumulative PV Installation in Thailand Cumulative PV Installation in Thailand ((20012001))

Applications Peak kW installedApplications Peak kW installed - Water pumping 1061.3- Water pumping 1061.3- Stand alone for home village 195.3- Stand alone for home village 195.3 - Battery charging station 1821.3 - Battery charging station 1821.3 - Telecommunication repeater 1,513.0 - Telecommunication repeater 1,513.0

- Remote primary school 165.0 - Remote primary school 165.0

- Remote health care 21.0- Remote health care 21.0 - Navigation aid 18.0- Navigation aid 18.0 - Hybrid/Grid Interface 247.3- Hybrid/Grid Interface 247.3 - Miscellaneous 123.3- Miscellaneous 123.3 Total 5,165.5Total 5,165.5

ObjectivesObjectives

The Design of Solar Tracking System for PV water

pumping system aims to

-: Get more volume of water/Day -: Get more volume of water/Day

-: Use local materials-: Use local materials

-: Lower maintenance and system cost-: Lower maintenance and system cost

-: Get more reliability & better performance from-: Get more reliability & better performance from

PV system than stationary one used PV system than stationary one used

Take Moment / Consider about Center of GravityTake Moment / Consider about Center of Gravity

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The Principle of Solar Tracking SystemThe Principle of Solar Tracking System

WaterWater

Conceptual Design of Solar Tracking SystemConceptual Design of Solar Tracking System

1. Single axis Solar Tracking System (E-W tracking direction)1. Single axis Solar Tracking System (E-W tracking direction) - Solar Tracking has been installed in N-S axis, - Solar Tracking has been installed in N-S axis,

- Tilt angle 15- Tilt angle 15oo (facing South) (facing South)

2. The basic principle to follow the Sun is by transfering a water2. The basic principle to follow the Sun is by transfering a water

to one side and drain off another sideto one side and drain off another side - by using 2 pipes for counter weight and water from storage tank - by using 2 pipes for counter weight and water from storage tank

3. Use sensors and controllers for controlling pumps automatically3. Use sensors and controllers for controlling pumps automatically - 4 LED are used as a sensor of the sun direction which create signals- 4 LED are used as a sensor of the sun direction which create signals

to control valves. to control valves. - Limit switches are used to limit the end position of solar tracking- Limit switches are used to limit the end position of solar tracking system when the sun orbits out of the limit position in the morning system when the sun orbits out of the limit position in the morning

and evening and evening (Left&Right)(Left&Right)

Component of 450 Wp Solar Tracking SystemComponent of 450 Wp Solar Tracking Systemfor Solar Homefor Solar Home

Small PumpSmall Pump

Small PumpSmall Pump

Component of 1.05 kWp Solar Tracking SystemComponent of 1.05 kWp Solar Tracking Systemfor PV Water Pumpingfor PV Water Pumping

PVC pipePVC pipeControl ValvesControl Valves

Sensor and controllerSensor and controller

Control ValvesControl Valves

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EW4 3 2 1

AB

EW 43

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AB

EW4 3 2 1

AC

The Principle Sensor for Tracking SystemThe Principle Sensor for Tracking System

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Case: ReversingCase: ReversingCase: Tracking SunCase: Tracking Sun

Load & Data Logger

Solar Tracking Solar Cells

Stationary Solar CellsSensor&Controller

Water Pump

Details of Solar Tracking System 1Details of Solar Tracking System 1

6 PV panels = 6 PV panels = 6 x 75 Wp6 x 75 Wp= 450 Wp= 450 Wp

Solar Tracking Solar Cells

Stationary Solar Cells

Control Valve

Details of Solar Tracking System 2Details of Solar Tracking System 2

PV panels = PV panels = 14 x 75 Wp14 x 75 Wp= 1050 Wp= 1050 Wp

Load & Data Logger

Sensor&Controller

Energy Output & Solar RadiationEnergy Output & Solar Radiation Tracking vs. Non-TrackingTracking vs. Non-Tracking

29 November 200329 November 2003

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600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

Sola

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(W/m

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er

(W)

Solar Radiation : Non Tracking Solar Radiation : Tracking Power : Non Tracking Power : Tracking

- Solar Radiation : Non Tracking 6,010.97 Wh/m2/Day

Tracking 7,223.45 Wh/m2/Day 2017% Increase . %

- Energy : Non Tracking 2 ,0 1 5 .5 4 Wh/Day 254937Tracking , . Wh/Day

% 2 6 .4 9 %

Variation of Energy OutputVariation of Energy OutputTracking vs. Non-TrackingTracking vs. Non-Tracking

DATA : NOVEMBER DATA : NOVEMBER 20032003

0.00

500.00

1,000.00

1,500.00

2,000.00

2,500.00

3,000.001-N

ov2-N

ov3-N

ov4-N

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Energy Outpu

t (Wh/D

ay)

Non-Tracking TrackingSolar Cell : Shell Solar 6 panels/Set, 75 Watts/panel

Compared Solar Radiation

Non-tracking/Tracking System

First Model

Second Model

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May June Nov Dec Month

kWh/s

q.m./d

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Solar Radiation/non-tracking

Solar Radiation/tracking

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500

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May June Nov Dec Month

Wh/da

y

Energy/non-tracking

Energy/tracking

Compared PV Energy from

Non-tracking/Tracking System

First Model

Second Model

Increase 20.30%Increase 20.30%

Increase 20.64%Increase 20.64%

Increase 23.29%Increase 23.29%

Increase 20.99%Increase 20.99%

System cost for Solar HomeSystem cost for Solar Home

1.1. 450 Wp of Solar Cells (75 Wp: 6 panels) / 1 solar Tracker set 450 Wp of Solar Cells (75 Wp: 6 panels) / 1 solar Tracker set

2. The net electrical energy output is increased ~ 20% higher than 2. The net electrical energy output is increased ~ 20% higher than

Non-tracking systemNon-tracking system

3. In reverse, the installation of PV module less to 90 Watt peak, 3. In reverse, the installation of PV module less to 90 Watt peak,

which cost about 360 US$ can generate the same amountwhich cost about 360 US$ can generate the same amount

of electric energy.of electric energy.

4. The cost of tracking system is 120 US$/unit, so EGAT can4. The cost of tracking system is 120 US$/unit, so EGAT can

save 200 US$/setsave 200 US$/set

System cost for Solar PumpSystem cost for Solar Pump

1.1. 1050 Wp of Solar Cells (75 Wp: 14 panels) / 1 solar Tracker 1050 Wp of Solar Cells (75 Wp: 14 panels) / 1 solar Tracker set set

2. The net electrical energy output is increased ~ 20% higher than 2. The net electrical energy output is increased ~ 20% higher than

Non-tracking systemNon-tracking system

3. In reverse, the installation of PV module less to 210 Watt peak, 3. In reverse, the installation of PV module less to 210 Watt peak,

which cost about 840 US$ can generate the same amountwhich cost about 840 US$ can generate the same amount

of electric energy.of electric energy.

4. The cost of tracking system is 500 US$/unit, so EGAT can4. The cost of tracking system is 500 US$/unit, so EGAT can

save 340 US$/setsave 340 US$/set

ConclusionConclusion

The invention of Solar Tracking System helps us improveThe invention of Solar Tracking System helps us improve

thethe performance performance oof f PV solar system PV solar system inin a simple way a simple way

we can builwe can buildd the Solar Track the Solar Trackinging S Systemystem easily easily withwith cost cost

effectiveeffectiveness ness for the maximum for the maximum energyenergy or wateror water output from output from

any kind of PV any kind of PV Solar Home or Solar Water PumpingSolar Home or Solar Water Pumping