Skip to main content
Log in

Performance evaluation of maximum light detection solar tracking system in the tropics

  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, a performance analysis of a photovoltaic (PV) tracking system is conducted, to evaluate its performance based on field data measurement. A dual-axis tracker with smart algorithms called maximum light detection (MLD) applied in the solar energy generation system is analyzed. In a tropical country that having a massive cloud cover throughout the year, the sky condition is categorized as sunny, intermittent and gloomy. The comparative results show that the system with MLD tracker improved the energy generation significantly all sky conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Y. Tong, H. M. Kim and H. H. Cho, Theoretical investigation of the thermal performance of evacuated heat pipe solar collector with optimum tilt angle under various operating conditions, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 30 (2016) 903–913

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. J. Farfan and C. Breyer, Structural changes of global power generation capacity towards sustainability and the risk of stranded investments supported by a sustainability indicator, Journal of Cleaner Production, 141 (2017) 370–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. G. Masson and M. Brunisholz, 2016 Snapshot of Global Photovoltaic Market (2016) http://www.iea-pvps.org/fileadmin/ dam/public/report/statistics/IEA-PVPS_-_A_Snapshot_of_ Global_PV_-_1992–2016__1_.pdf.

  4. S. Ahmad, R. M. Tahar, F. Muhammad-Sukki, A. B. Munir and R. A. Rahim, Role of feed-in tariff policy in promoting solar photovoltaic investments in Malaysia: A system dynamics approach, Energy, 84 (2015) 808–815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Mekhilef, M. Barimani, A. Safari and Z. Salam, Malaysia’s renewable energy policies and programs with green aspects, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 40 (2014) 497–504

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. R. Kardooni, S. B. Yusoff and F. B. Kari, Barriers to renewable energy development: Five fuel policy in Malaysia, Energy Environ., 26 (2015) 1353–1361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. C. P. C. Bong, W. S. Ho, H. Hashim, J. S. Lim, C. S. Ho, W. S. P. Tan and C. T. Lee, Review on the renewable energy and solid waste management policies towards biogas development in Malaysia, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 70 (2017) 988–998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. T. H. Oh, S. Y. Pang and S. C. Chua, Energy policy and alternative energy in Malaysia: Issues and challenges for sustainable growth, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 14 (2010) 1241–1252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Installed Capacity (MW) of Commissioned RE Installations, Sustain. Energy Dev. Auth. Malaysia (2017) http://www. seda.gov.my/ (accessed August 18, 2017).

  10. M. A. Green, Y. Hishikawa, W. Warta, E. D. Dunlop, D. H. Levi, J. Hohl-Ebinger and A. W. H. Ho-Baillie, Solar cell efficiency tables (version 50), Prog. Photovoltaics, 25 (2017) 668–676

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. B. Asiabanpour, Z. Almusaied, S. Aslan, M. Mitchell, E. Leake, H. Lee, J. Fuentes, K. Rainosek, N. Hawkes and A. Bland, Fixed versus sun tracking solar panels: An economic analysis, Clean Technol. Environ. Policy., 19 (2017) 1195–1203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Y. Yao, Y. Hu, S. Gao, G. Yang and J. Du, A multipurpose dual-axis solar tracker with two tracking strategies, Renew. Energy, 72 (2014) 88–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. A. Dolara, F. Grimaccia, S. Leva, M. Mussetta, R. Faranda and M. Gualdoni, Performance analysis of a single-axis tracking PV system, IEEE J. Photovoltaics, 2 (2012) 524–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. T. Huld, M. Šúri and E. D. Dunlop, Comparison of potential solar electricity output from fixed-inclined and two-axis tracking photovoltaic modules in Europe, Prog. Photovoltaics Res. Appl., 16 (2008) 47–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. D. Riley and C. Hansen, Sun-relative pointing for dual-axis solar trackers employing azimuth and elevation rotations, J. Sol. Energy Eng., 137 (2015) 31006–31008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. C.-K. Lin and J.-Y. Fang, Analysis of structural deformation and concentrator misalignment in a roll-tilt solar tracker, AIP Conf. Proc., 1556 (2013) 210–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. S. F. Khahro, K. Tabbassum, S. Talpur, M. B. Alvi, X. Liao and L. Dong, Evaluation of solar energy resources by establishing empirical models for diffuse solar radiation on tilted surface and analysis for optimum tilt angle for a prospective location in southern region of Sindh, Pakistan, Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst., 64 (2015) 1073–1080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. A. Ghazali, E. I. Salleh, L. C. Haw, S. Mat and K. Sopian, Feasibility of vertical photovoltaic system on high-rise building in Malaysia: Performance evaluation, Int. J. Low-Carbon Technol., 12 (2017) 263–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. T. Khatib, A. Mohamed, K. Sopian and M. Mahmoud, Solar energy prediction for Malaysia using artificial neural networks, Int. J. Photoenergy, 2012 (2012).

  20. D. Matuszko, Influence of the extent and genera of cloud cover on solar radiation intensity, Int. J. Climatol., 32 (2012) 2403–2414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. H. Djamila, C. C. Ming and S. Kumaresan, Estimation of exterior vertical daylight for the humid tropic of Kota Kinabalu city in East Malaysia, Renew. Energy, 36 (2011) 9–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Higher Yield -How? (2016) http://www.degerenergie. de/en/higher-yield-how.html (accessed December 1, 2017).

  23. Fraunhofer Ise Confirms: Deger Tracking Systems Achieve The Highest Solar Current Yields (2013) http://www. degerenergie.de/en/newseintrag/fraunhofer-ise-bestaetigtdeger-nachfuehrsysteme-erzielen-die-hoechsten-solarstromertraege. html (accessed September 1, 2017).

  24. M. H. M. Sidek, N. Azis, W. Z. W. Hasan, M. Z. A. Ab Kadir, S. Shafie and M. A. M. Radzi, Automated positioning dual-axis solar tracking system with precision elevation and azimuth angle control, Energy, 124 (2017) 160–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. A. Zain-Ahmed, K. Sopian, Z. Z. Abidin and M. Y. H. Othman, The availability of daylight from tropical skies: A case study of Malaysia, Renew. Energy, 25 (2002) 21–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. W. T. Chong, M. S. Naghavi, S. C. Poh, T. M. I. Mahlia and K. C. Pan, Techno-economic analysis of a wind-solar hybrid renewable energy system with rainwater collection feature for urban high-rise application, Appl. Energy, 88 (2011) 4067–4077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. TNB Electricity Tariff Schedule (2014) https://www.tnb. com.my/assets/files/Tariff_Rate_Final_01.Jan.2014.pdf.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmad Fazlizan.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Youngsuk Nam

Ahmad Fazlizan is a Research Fellow at the Solar Energy Research Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He obtained his B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, M.Eng. from University of Malaya (UM) and Ph.D. in Renewable Energy also from UM. His research interest is in Renewable Energy especially Wind Energy and Green Technology. He has published a significant number of technical papers in the high-ranked journals mainly in engineering and renewable energy research.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fazlizan, A., Abdulmula, A., Amran, A.N. et al. Performance evaluation of maximum light detection solar tracking system in the tropics. J Mech Sci Technol 33, 1391–1397 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-0240-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-0240-2

Keywords

Navigation