Experimental performance comparison of a 2-axis sun tracking system with fixed system under the climatic conditions of Düzce, Turkey

Abstract

In this study, an experimental performance comparison of a 2-axis tracking system with a fixed panel in a solar renewable energy system is conducted. The paper mainly focuses on a cost-benefit analysis of fixed and tracking modules. For this aim, an experimental setup was built and periodical measurements were then obtained from the setup. To provide a better comparison, the panels were exposed to the same conditions during the measurements. By considering the real-time experimental results, the paper provides a quantitative analysis of the feasibility of tracking panels for domestic applications as well as an analysis of payback period if a tracking system is used for a home-building application instead of using a conventional fixed module. The study is restricted to the geographical region of Düzce, Turkey.