Development and Testing of a Single-Axis Photovoltaic Sun Tracker through the Internet of Things

Sebastian Gutierrez, Pedro M. Rodrigo, Jeronimo Alvarez, Arturo Acero and Alejandro Montoya
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Sebastian Gutierrez: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Panamericana, Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer 101, Aguascalientes 20290, Mexico
Pedro M. Rodrigo: Centre for Advanced Studies on Energy and Environment (CEAEMA), University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
Jeronimo Alvarez: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Panamericana, Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer 101, Aguascalientes 20290, Mexico
Arturo Acero: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Panamericana, Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer 101, Aguascalientes 20290, Mexico
Alejandro Montoya: Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Panamericana, Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer 101, Aguascalientes 20290, Mexico

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Solar tracking systems enable increased efficiency of a photovoltaic system through a continuous adjustment of its position with respect to the sun, thus increasing the generation of electrical energy. The integration of photovoltaic solar tracking systems in buildings and houses enables the energy needs of users in a broader way to be covered. This integration is facilitated through the existence of technologies such as access to the Internet through Wi-Fi, which allows developing systems to be encompassed within the domain of the “Internet of Things” (IoT). In this study, a first-of-its-kind “open-loop” solar tracker was designed and developed, which executes the tracking algorithm in the Firebase web service and allows the exchange of data with said service through a NodeMCU development board, which has an integrated Wi-Fi module. After an experimental campaign in Aguascalientes, central Mexico, gains in terms of collected energy on average were measured at 29.9% in May compared to an optimally tilted fixed photovoltaic system. This study opens the possibility of integrating power generation systems into the IoT domain, which, among other things, allows for constant monitoring of the behavior of the system.

Keywords: building integration; Internet of Things; Mexico; photovoltaics; single-axis; sun tracker (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 (3)

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