Comparison of performance of solar photovoltaics on dual axis tracker with fixed axis at 13 degrees N latitude

Rao, Roshan R and Swetha, HR and Srinivasan, J and Ramasesha, Sheela K (2015) Comparison of performance of solar photovoltaics on dual axis tracker with fixed axis at 13 degrees N latitude. In: CURRENT SCIENCE, 108 (11). pp. 2087-2094.

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Abstract

Tracking systems, that continually orient photovoltaic (PV) panels towards the Sun, are expected to increase the power output from the PV panels. Tremendous amount of research is being done and funds are being spent in order to increase the efficiency of PV cells to generate more power. We report the performance of two almost identical PV systems; one at a fixed latitude tilt and the other on a two-axis tracker. We observed that the fixed axis PV panels generated 336.3 kWh, and the dual-axis Sun-tracked PV panels generated 407.2 kWh during August 2012 March 2013. The tracked panels generated 21.2% more electricity than the optimum tilt angle fixed-axis panels. The cost payback calculations indicate that the additional cost of the tracker can be recovered in 450 days.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	CURRENT SCIENCE
Publisher:	INDIAN ACAD SCIENCES
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the INDIAN ACAD SCIENCES, C V RAMAN AVENUE, SADASHIVANAGAR, P B #8005, BANGALORE 560 080, INDIA
Keywords:	Cost payback time; dual axis Sun tracker; energy conversion; solar panel
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Divecha Centre for Climate Change
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2015 05:21
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2015 05:21
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/51920

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