ADVANCE DESIGN OF DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM USING FUZZY LOGIC

Abstract

The demand for solar-generated power has surged in recent years due to the adverse environmental effects associated with fossil fuel usage, which have led to the proliferation of dangerous diseases. The efficiency of solar systems in generating power is heavily dependent on solar radiation intensity. Consequently, the primary challenge in improving solar systems lies in achieving high efficiency during daylight hours. This paper introduces a novel dual-axis solar tracker mechanism designed to optimize the capture of solar radiation by solar panels, regardless of weather conditions. The proposed solar tracking system employs fuzzy logic control to track the sun's position at any given time. By calculating the sun's relative position using Earth's angles, the system provides the necessary instructions to adjust the stepper motor, accordingly, thereby tracking the movement of the sun and maximizing light radiation. MATLAB Simulink was employed to simulate the proposed approach, and the results demonstrate superior energy production compared to a fixed system. The proposed solar tracking system achieves a power output of 10141.220 kW/m² with an accuracy of approximately 6%, surpassing the fixed system's output of 9920.346 kW/m². Experimental tests were conducted using a solar panel and the dual-axis solar tracker to evaluate the system's performance. The solar tracker was programmed to accurately follow the sun's path throughout the day, and measurements were taken at various times. The experimental results indicate that the proposed solar tracking system outperforms a fixed system even under cloudy conditions, offering enhanced energy generation and improved overall efficiency for solar systems. Thus, the dual-axis solar tracker presented in this study represents an effective mechanism for enhancing the efficiency of solar systems.