Modeling Horizontal Single Axis Solar Tracker Upon Sun-Earth Geometric Relationships

Abstract

Many investments and commitments have recently been set to use renewable energy source, overcome energy crisis and align with climate target. Solar power development and deployment make investment in power generation sustainability. The goal of this study is harvesting energy by rotating solar panel toward the sun direction. Astronomical formula is derivate to calculate the sun altitude and azimuth depending on given latitude, longitude coordination. The photovoltaic (PV) panels rotate horizontally and track the sun direction in 9 positions regarding to their actual time and calculated azimuth angle. Partial shaded effectiveness that produces between the adjacent panels due to PV panel’s inclination is calculate accordingly. The total increment of power production from fix to tracked panel structure is 17.3% per day. The extra power generation is distributed over the period between solar noon times.