Comprehensive Methodology to Evaluate Parasitic Energy Consumption for Different Types of Dual-Axis Sun Tracking Systems

Abstract

A dual-axis sun tracking system is an essential strategy to maximize the optical efficiency of harnessing solar energy. However, there is no significant study yet to optimize the net performance of the photovoltaic (PV) or concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system equipped with a dual-axis sun tracking system. Parasitic energy loss associated with the power consumption of the sun tracking system is one of the major concerns for the solar industrial players. To address this issue, a comprehensive methodology has been developed to evaluate the yearly cumulative range of motion for dual-axis sun tracking systems in the cases of with and without fixed parking positions across the latitudes ranging from 45°N to 45°S. The parasitic energy consumptions have been investigated for three selected types of dual-axis sun tracking systems, i.e., the azimuth-elevation sun tracking system (AE-STS), polar dual-axis sun tracking system (PD-STS), and horizontal dual-axis sun tracking system (HD-STS). The simulated results indicate that the dual-axis sun tracking system with the nonfixed parking (or stow) position has lower yearly cumulative parasitic energy consumption with respect to the sun tracking system with a fixed parking position. Lastly, our simulation result has shown that the parasitic energy consumption of the sun tracking is relatively smaller to that of the electrical energy generated by the concentrator photovoltaic system with the ratio between 0.15% and 0.29% for AE-STS, between 0.15% and 0.30% for PD-STS, and between 0.17% and 0.35% for HD-STS.