Single Axis Tracker Versus Fixed Tilt PV: Experimental and Simulated Results
Single Axis Tracker Versus Fixed Tilt PV: Experimental and Simulated Results
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Vasiliki Perraki
University of Patras
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SINGLE AXIS TRACKER VERSUS FIXED TILT PV: EXPERIMENTAL AND SIMULATED RESULTS
ABSTRACT: This work deals with the comparison between the photovoltaic properties as well as the energy
provided by a Photovoltaic module installed in fixed tilt angle and an identical one adapted on a tracker. The modules
have been installed on the roof of Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Patras,
Greece (latitude 380) and operated under real weather conditions. The PV properties of the tested modules which are
experimentally measured during a long period are compared with those extracted from simulation through the PVSol
software. The excess of the energy produced by the PV module installed on single axis tracker with 380 tilt angle,
relative to the PV module installed with constant inclination has been found experimentally equal to 23% and
theoretically equal to 24.6%.
Keywords: tracking, tilt angle, simulation
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29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
sunlight, resulting thus to the superiority of these devices Figure 3 indicates that the temperature does not differ as
in kilowatt hours per kilowatt of installed power and the maximum power Pmax, although both modules receive
efficiency. different amount of solar radiation during the day.
In this work we present the results between two Theoretically the temperature of the modules, Tmod,
similar modules, a (Conergy) fixed south facing module increases with the illumination (due to the partial
with 380 tilt angle and a (Five Stars) module mounted on conversion into those of the solar radiation into thermal
a single axis Tracker with 380 inclination. We have energy) wich changes during the day. However the
chosen to present the variation of their PV properties modules do not exhibit a significant difference in
during a summer sunny day where the irradiation and the temperature, because this parameter depends also on
temperatures are high and their influence will be obvious. other factors such as ambient temperature.
The difference in substantial properties observed The ratio Pmax / PSTC for the two modules is shown in
between the two modules, is due to the fact that the the same figure. As expected these diagrams are similar
Tracker is rotated around its vertical axis during the day in form with the corresponding ones to the maximum
"following" the sun. This retains the solar module power Pmax of the modules. However, what is interesting
perpendicular to the sun early and late in the day, while is that this ratio for the Tracked module is larger
collecting significantly more energy than the fixed throughout the day in relation to the fixed module, which
module facing south. is interpreted as a function of modules closer to the
standard conditions.
The variation of the solar radiation, G, incident on the
two modules as well as the maximum power they deliver
during the presented day, are shown in Fig.2. As the
Tracked module is rotated around the vertical axis T (oC) Tracked T (oC) Fixed
according to the movement of the sun it receives greater Pmax/Pstc Tracked Pmax/Pstc Fixed
amount of solar radiation, specifically the morning and
afternoon hours resulting in particularly noticeable 80 0,8
difference in solar radiation between the two modules. 75 0,7
Those hours the fixed module forms large azimuth angle 70
with the sun, as it is oriented towards the south, while the 0,6
65
sun is east or west respectively. On the contrary at solar 0,5
Tmod (0C)
Pmax / P stc
60
noon, when both panels are facing south, the solar
radiation incident on them is the same. Natural 55 0,4
consequences of the difference in solar radiation received 50 0,3
by the two modules are the different maximum power 45
they deliver. Especially in the morning and afternoon 0,2
40
hours, the difference in power output is large, as the 0,1
Tracker receives more solar radiation than the fixed 35
module. This difference in power and energy delivered is 30 0
less at midday since both modules are facing south. 9:07 11:31 13:55 16:19 18:43
Time (h)
Pmax (W)
45
module ranges between 63-66%. The tracked module
600 presents an almost constant FF of about 66 % during the
day, due to the almost flat curve of P max for the tracker
400 35 during the day. The efficiency of the modules, presented
in the same figure, is higher in the case of the tracked
200 25 modules especially around solar noon, due to the higher
values of Pmax.
0 15
9:07 11:31 13:55 16:19 18:43 Figure 5 presents the Power-Voltage plots, which
Time (h) were obtained from experiments at different times during
a summer day. The graphs have been extracted using the
program PVPMdisp adapted to the PVPM device.
It has been observed that early in the morning, the
Figure 2: Variation of the incident radiation G (W/m2) as maximum power output of the tracked module is about
well as the maximum output power P max (W) during a 80% higher than that given by the fixed. This superiority
sunny day of June for the fixed facing south PV module decreases approaching to solar noon, when it falls almost
and the one axis tracked module. to zero, while the maximum power is assigned later.
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29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Efficiency (%)
Fill Factor (%)
15
Figure 4: Fill factor and efficiency variation during a
sunny day of June for the fixed facing south PV module 13
and the one axis tracked module.
E(kWh)
11
8:28h,Fixed 8:28h,Tracked
10:34h,Fixed 10:34h,Tracked
11:36h,Fixed 11:36h,Tracked 9
12:58h,Fixed 12:58h,Tracked
15:08h,Fixed 15:08h,Tracked
16:24h,Fixed 16:24h,Tracked 7
90
80 5
70
60
50
Pout (W)
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29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
also shown that the electric energy consumed by the Engineering, London, CRC Press, 2000
linear actuators is small enough and may be ignored [2] V. Popa, I. Visa, D. Diaconescu, 24th EUPVSEC
when compared to the energy gain resulting from the Hamburg, Germany 2009, p3680.
implementation of the PV tracking system. [3]
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/arti
Tmod(0C) kWh/kWpExpFixed cle/2014/08/listen-up-whats-the-deal-with-solar-trackers
[4] Makrides G, et al, Ren2ewable and Sustainable
kWh/kWp,ExpTracked η(%)Exp.Fixed Energy Reviews, February 2010, pp.4.
175 15 [5] V. Perraki and V. Georgitsas, 25th EUPVSEC
14 Valencia 2010, 4AV 3.92
155
135
Tmod (0C), kWh/kWpExp
13
ηexp(%)
115 12
95
11
75
10
55
35 9
15 8
4 CONCLUSIONS
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks must be addressed to Mr K. Kidoniatis,
graduate of the Department of Electrical & Computer
Engineering, for providing certain measurements.
References
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