IMPROVED DUAL-AXIS SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

This paper presents techniques for improving dual-axis solar tracking system for maximum energy conversion. The design maintains the solar panel at 900 to the solar rays throughout the hours of the day at Zaria, Kaduna state of Nigeria. The system was designed to ensure an automatic control of solar tracking using Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) attached to both sides of the frame, which houses the solar panel. Tracking motor spin is controlled when the LDRs are exposed to different solar intensity. It was observed that a maximum output voltage of 20.2V was achieved between 8:30am to 5:30pm when the device was used, which has proved the efficiency of solar conversion. The output voltages (V01 and V02) from the comparators IC were tested during, motor in stationary position, motor spins in clockwise direction and when the motor spins in anti-clockwise direction to ascertain the system operation. V01 and V02 were found to obey the theoretical operation of the system by complementing each other at pin1 and pin7 of the dual comparators respectively.