Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems
The use of a highly portable, efficient Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems can be very useful to applications of the military, industrial, or residential variety. To produce an efficient solar generation system, a scaled down dual-axis solar tracker was designed, built and tested. At most, the solar tracker was perpendicular to the light source within 3 degrees.
Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems uses motors, gears, and actuators to position the solar tracker so that it is perpendicular to the sunlight. Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems that use sensors to track the sun position inputs data into the controller, which in turns drives the motors and actuators to position the tracker. There are also trackers that uses solar map. Depending on the location, solar maps give information on where the sun is at different time of day throughout the year. Dual Axis Solar Tracking Systems that use solar map do not need sensors input to track the sun. But there are also tracker that uses both sensors and solar map. During sunny weather, the sensor would be used to track the sun. But during cloud-covered times, the information from the solar map would be used. It is important to track the sun even in cloudy condition since solar panels can produce energy during cloudy conditions. Passive Passive trackers use compressed gas to move the tracker. Depending on the position sunlight is falling on the gas containers difference in gas pressure is created, moving the tracker until it gets to an equilibrium position. The advantage of passive tracker is that the tracking system does not require a controller. But passive trackers are slow in response and are vulnerable to wind.
Control
The main purpose of the controller is to receive data from the sensors, process it, and give signals to drive the motors and actuators. Looking at it simply, a human can take the place of a controller. A person can see where the sun is and rotate the tracker manually to get the most energy. But it is not a feasible option for a long term or when there is more than one tracker, like in a solar power plant. So automated controllers become a necessity. Controllers must also take into account what to do when the sun sets, when the wind is too high, or other physical conditions.
