Since the solar panel will produce the most energy when the sunlight is perpendicular to the panel face. Since the solar panel I use will be charging a battery through MPPT method. Can I add this feature (rotating the solar panel based on the sun location) to increase the produced power while MPPT is implemented ?
Yes, You could add it, but you should then consider the mechanical parts maintenance costs and do a trade-off between energy conversion efficiency increase and the costs.
Yahya Naderi
Thank you, that's exactly what I thought of. but it is very difficult to estimate the system design efficiency with or without this feature before a actually designing. I will think about the trade-off, any advice?
Yes, but somethings the trade-off between cost and kWh generated is not appropriated for a project. Always, when the sunrays are perpendicular to the panel the energy rate generated is higher.
Dear Fahad
The answer is yes, you can. However, from engineering point view, the answer is neither yes nor no, that is an economic analysis needs to be done to decide whether the use of sun tracker is worthwhile. The key information for this analysis is the annual insolation with and without sun tracker for the the location where you PS system will be installed.
regards
Aissa Kheldoun Thank you very much! I didn't think that the annual insolation can be found online.
Dear Fahad abu Khald
If you don't have this data, you can get it from the following website:
http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/solar-irradiance.html.
More information don't hesitate to get in touch.
More importantly more energy would be produced. How to do this and keep the cost down is a challenge though.
MPPT is different from solar tracking, so you can add this feature. You have to verify if it deserve.
I know it is different, but as you said, I have to see if it is worth it or not. Thank you!
I think the cost is an important issue you have to decide about because it will increase rabidly.
Very challenging issue!. Requires careful energy evaluation versus sun tracker cost.
- Badges
- Science topic