Arindam Dutta

A simple and efficient sun tracking mechanism using programmable logic controller

To increase the unit area illumination of solar ray on PV panel, it is required to track the sun throughout the day. So to reach the goal various type of sun tracking mechanism is already developed but in this paper we designed two different types of sun tracking mechanism: single axis and dual axis tracking using programmable logic controller (PLC) as it has numbers of unique advantages like—it is faster, reliable, requires less maintenance and reprogrammable. A comparative study between those two systems is also presented in this paper. The whole system has been designed and tested using GE, FANUC PLC.

Optimum Tilt Angles for Manual Tracking of Photovoltaic Modules

ABSTRACTThis article reports the investigation for the average optimal tilt angle of solar panels on a monthly basis (single axis tracking) for a wide range of latitudes in the northern hemisphere to collect maximum total solar irradiation. Based on experimentally validated modeling, a new set of empirical relations has been proposed to compute the optimum tilt angle on a monthly basis for the entire year. The accuracy of equations set is evaluated by standard statistical measures. The proposed set of empirical equations is compared with an existing set of empirical equations on various cities within the latitude and has yielded significantly better results. Solar Advisory Model (SAM) has been used to compare—with respect to a fixed Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) panel—the electricity predicted by (1) a new set of manual solar tracking equations, (2) an established set of solar tracking equations, and (3) data from an automated single axis tracking system by a Programmable Logic Controller or PLC. It is found ...

Reassessment of the Indian renewable energy policy through technology implementation

Govt. of India scaled up of budget during 12th five year plan for Rooftop solar project to achieve the target of 40 GWp as committed before UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). In this connection through a case study it is shown that there is a chance to reduce the target and also the space of solar project installation if a manual solar tracking based on optimum tilt angle as proposed in the study can be included in the policy for future small solar project initiatives. An equation set of monthly solar optimum tilt angle has been proposed based on an anisotropic validated model developed by FORTRAN 77 Compiler. The equation set is applicable for a wide latitude range of 13° to 39° of northern hemisphere i.e. it includes all over India. If the proposed optimum tilt based manual tracking has been adopted in Govt. policy of solar project then the target to UNFCC will be reduced to 36.5 kWp i.e. a decrease of 8.75% and the required area for solar installation will also be decreased of 8.84%.