Influence of Solar Position Calculation Methods Applied to Horizontal Single-Axis Solar Trackers on Energy Generation

Karen Barbosa de Melo, Hugo Soeiro Moreira and Marcelo Gradella Villalva
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Karen Barbosa de Melo: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas, 400 Albert Einstein Avenue, Campinas 13083-852, Brazil
Hugo Soeiro Moreira: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas, 400 Albert Einstein Avenue, Campinas 13083-852, Brazil
Marcelo Gradella Villalva: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Campinas, 400 Albert Einstein Avenue, Campinas 13083-852, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-15

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems have been explored as a solution to meet the growing demand for electricity from a clean and renewable source. However, the low energy conversion efficiency of photovoltaic panels is one of the critical factors that hinder the competitiveness of this energy source concerning the others. An effective way to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic systems is by using solar trackers. The tracking strategy most used in photovoltaic plants employs algorithms to calculate the Sun position. This work presents energy generation estimation applying six algorithms in horizontal single-axis solar tracking: the Solar Position Algorithm (SPA) and Grena 1–5 algorithms. The aim is to evaluate the influence of these algorithms on energy generation. For all simulated locations, comparing to an ideal scenario, the SPA presented the best energy generation results. However, the other algorithms showed negligible differences between themselves, which allows us to conclude that any of the algorithms can be used without implying significant energy losses. Thus, Grena 1–2 can be highlighted for easier implementation.

Keywords: photovoltaic systems; solar trackers; solar position calculation algorithms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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