Mauritian researchers develop solar tracker prototype that increases current by 37%

Researchers at the University of Mauritius have designed a low-cost sun-tracking system that can be used with portable, lightweight PV systems for use in remote areas in tropical climates.

The tracker is said to use a simplified and mechanically driven tracking mechanism. It can be connected to one solar panel and is able to orientate its linear displacement at each of the four corners of the module itself and make it rotate along the three principal axes.

Through the direction and rotational speed of the motors, PV system owners can achieve their desired tilt angles by precisely adjusting each corner of the solar panel.

Image: University of Mauritius, Energy Reports, Creative Commons License CC P-V Magazine

The motor components and electronic circuit are protected from adverse weather conditions by a lightweight protective casing made from aluminum composite panel (ACP) namely, alucobond.

The system moves the panel in accordance with the positioning of the sun based on the sensor data transmitted and processed by the Arduino Uno open-source microcontroller, which follows a voltage difference observed in the corresponding paired sensors due to variation in light intensity.

“The paired motors operate in synchronization but in the opposite direction in order to induce a tilting effect to the solar panels,” they said. “To achieve an optimized orientation in the three principle axes, the remaining two motors also operate in a similar fashion to compensate for tilting of the solar panel in accordance with variation in light intensity as detected by the two additional sensors.”

Image: University of Mauritius, Energy Reports, Creative Commons License CC P-V Magazine

The academics built a system prototype with a solar module measuring 450 mm x 170 mm with a power output of 22.5 W. The research group said the system was able to generate 37% more current than a reference panel without the tracker.

“The proposed device is projected to produce a total energy output of up to 8100 Wh if operated for 12 h over a 30-day period and if meeting the set target of maximum power output of 22.5 W,” it concluded.

The team described the device in “Low-cost solar tracker to maximize the capture of solar energy in tropical countries,” which was recently published in Energy Reports. 

Source: PV-Magazine