Modeling and Technical Analysis of Solar Tracking System to Find Optimal Angle for Maximum Power Generation using MOPSO Algorithm

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the optimal performance characteristics of a solar tracking system in order to maximize the power generation through using the MOPSO algorithm. Considering the sun path during a day, the necessity of using solar tracking systems to achieve the maximum power output from photovoltaic (PV) panels has been investigated. The solar tracking system allows PV arrays to follow sunlight all day long. The unidirectional tracking system follows the sun path, thereby optimizing the angular motion of PV arrays relative to the sun resulting in higher power generation. To evaluate the performance of a PV system, the total solar radiation was calculated first for both fixed and unidirectional tracking systems. Analyzing the results indicates that for June 20th the power generation of the PV module equipped with a unidirectional tracker is 35% higher than the fixed PV module. The optimal value of the declination angle, Azimuth, and arrays’ tilting angles in a unidirectional tracking system calculated using the MOPSO algorithm are , and respectively.

Keywords

• solar tracker
• mopso algorithm
• photovoltaic systems
• energy analysis