Optical Performance of Horizontal Single-Axis Tracked Solar Panels

Abstract:

To investigate the optical performance of horizontal single-axis (HA) sun-tracked solar panels, a mathematical procedure to estimate daily collectible radiation on fixed, 2-axis and HA-tracked solar panels was developed based monthly horizontal radiation. Results showed that the annual solar gain on a HA-tracked solar panel was related to the orientation of HA, tracking the sun about the east-west axis was worst to boost the energy collection of solar panels, and tracking the sun about the south-north axis was best. Results also indicated that the ratio of annual collectible radiation on horizontal south-north sun-axis tracked solar panels to that with full 2-axis sun-tracking decreased with the increase in site latitude, implying that the horizontal south-north axis sun-tracking was suitable to be employed in regions with lower geographical latitude

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 424-425)
• Pages: 805-810
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.424-425.805
• Online since: January 2012
• Authors: Gui Hua Li, Run Sheng Tang, Hao Zhong
• Keywords: Horizontal Tracking Axis, Mathematical Procedure, Optical Performance, Sun-Tracked Solar Panels

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