A microcontroller-based multi-function solar tracking system

Author

Kassem, A. ; Hamad, M.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. & Comput. & Commun. Eng., Notre Dame Univ. Louaize, Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon

fYear

2011

fDate

4-7 April 2011

Firstpage

13

Lastpage

16

Abstract

Renewable energy solutions are becoming increasingly popular. Photovoltaic (solar) systems are but one example. Maximizing power output from a solar system is desirable to increase efficiency. In order to maximize power output from solar panels, one needs to keep the panels aligned with the sun. As such, a means of tracking the sun is required. This is definitely a more cost effective solution than purchasing additional solar panels. It has been estimated that the yield from solar panels can be increased by 30 to 60 percent by utilizing a tracking system instead of a stationary array. In this paper, a prototype for a microcontroller-based multi-function solar tracking system is described, which will keep the solar panels aligned with the sun in order to maximize efficiency. The maximum power point tracking (MPPT) data can be transmitted in real time to other solar systems in need of this data.

Keywords

control engineering computing; maximum power point trackers; microcontrollers; photovoltaic power systems; power engineering computing; solar power stations; MPPT; maximum power point tracking; microcontroller-based multifunction solar tracking system; photovoltaic systems; renewable energy; solar panels; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic systems; Sensor systems; Solar energy; Sun; Microcontroller; Photovoltaic; Power; Solar energy; Solar tracking;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Systems Conference (SysCon), 2011 IEEE International

Conference_Location

Montreal, QC

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-9494-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/SYSCON.2011.5929048

Filename

5929048