AN ECONOMICAL AND RELATIVELY
EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
REAL–TIME SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM
Sabir Ali Kalhoro
Department of Electronics Engineering NED University of
Engineering and Technology, Karachi (Pakistan)
E–mail: sabir13es66@gmail.com
Sayed Hyder Abbas Musvi
Indus University. Karachi (Pakistan)
E–mail: dean@indus.edu.pk
Sikandar Ali
Indus University. Karachi (Pakistan)
E–mail: sikandar.shah@indus.edu.pk
Saadullah Rahoojo
Department of Geography, University of Sindh. Jamshoro (Pakistan)
E–mail: rahoojosaad@gmail.com
Asim Nawaz
Department of Geography University of Karachi. Karachi (Pakistan)
E–mail: asimpmd@gmail.com
Recepción: 05/03/2019 Aceptación: 27/03/2019 Publicación: 17/05/2019
Citación sugerida:
Kalhoro, S. A., Abbas Musvi, S. H., Ali, S., Rahoojo, S. y Nawaz, A. (2019). An
economical and relatively ecient implementation of the Real–Time Solar Tracking
System. 3C Tecnología. Glosas de innovación aplicadas a la pyme. Edición Especial, Mayo 2019, pp.
68–99. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17993/3ctecno.2019.specialissue2.68–99
Suggested citation:
Kalhoro, S. A., Abbas Musvi, S. H., Ali, S., Rahoojo, S. & Nawaz, A. (2019). An
economical and relatively ecient implementation of the Real–Time Solar Tracking
System. 3C Tecnología. Glosas de innovación aplicadas a la pyme. Special Issue, May 2019, pp.
68–99. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17993/3ctecno.2019.specialissue2.68–99
3C Tecnología. Glosas de innovación aplicadas a la pyme. ISSN: 2254–4143
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ABSTRACT
The bi–facial solar system which is available in the commercial markets having a
variety of advantages and eciency but they are too much costly. Therefore there
is a dire need to design a low price solar system that overcomes the increasing
energy demand. In this research, we have designed a system which reects the
bi–facial model with an economical prize for the developing nations. However,
the eciency of the proposed solar system was checked on a sunny day and
its observation was closely related to the real–time bi–facial solar system. The
prototype has been designed by combining the two equal watts solar penal having
anti–parallel alignment with each other. The rear penal of the design system
is supported by concentrator for strengthening the eciency of the scattered
irradiation. The scattered irradiation generates extra energy due to the design
structure of the proposed system. The voltage of the system is conjoint increases
slightly as the timely increasing irradiation strength. The power of the designed
system increases with the increasing voltage proportional relationship with the
current. The design system veries the voltage, current and power measurement
from all location of the calculation.
KEYWORDS
Renewable Energy, Solar System, Ecient Design System.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays deciency of energy issues has been increasing which causes social
and environmental problems, however, the developing countries urging the
researchers to seek out alternative resources which may balance the demand for
fossil fuel.
The alternative source like solar and wind are highly available to fulll the
increasing demand (Guerrero–Lemus, Vega, Kim, Kimm & Shephard, 2016).
While freely available solar irradiation is a reliable source of solar power
generation and solar energy will be generated easily by harnessing the facility of
the radiation, this energy source is clean and environmental friendly (Jia, Gawlik,
Plentz & Andrä, 2017; Luque, Torres & Escobar, 2018). The energy from the sun
intercepted by the earth is roughly 1.8x1011MW which is several thousand times
larger than the current consumption.
The most drawbacks with solar power are its dilute nature. Even within the
hottest regions on the planet, the irradiation ux available nearly is inadequate for
technological utilization. This drawback may be corrected by many techniques
which ensure the greatest intensity of sun rays striking the surface of the panel
from sunrise to sunset (Kim, Kim & Hwang, 2018; Duan, Zhao, He & Tang,
2018). This drawback can be overcome by the advanced design system, which is
a bifacial solar system, it may generate electricity from either front or rear face, it
will consider as the advanced photovoltaic system. This system is the noticeably
exaggerated physical phenomenon of advance conversion system (Lamers, et al.,
2018). We tend to gift here such type of model which associates in the alternating
deposition technique such as bi–facial solar cells (Liu, Zhao, Duana, He, Zheng
& Tang, 2018). Such type of photovoltaic unit maximizes the output power by
utilizing both sides of the PV cell to capture the maximum irradiation. The bi–
facial solar device yields and maximizes the eciency of available system and this
strategy provides new opportunities for fabricating high performance (Lo, Lim &
Rahman, 2015; Sun, Khan, Deline & Alam, 2018). Bi–facial solar system which
harvests the incident light irradiation from the front face and collects scattering
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light irradiation with the help of concentrator to facilitate the rear surface for the
maximum utilization of light irradiation, therefore, system gain the best power
outputs.
The rear face uses to increase the eciency of the solar system as well as support
the name bi–facial. The traditional aluminum metal is used to collect the scattered
irradiation to get advantage from the useless irradiation and provide support to
the rear pedal. The rear penal adds its power to increase the eciency of the
overall solar system. The scattered irradiation plays a signicant rule for the rear
side of the solar penal. The rear penal gets the advantage from the scattered
irradiation to extract the maximum power from the bi–facial solar system (Pan,
Cardoso, & Reis, 2018). This system has a relatively little bit less photoelectrical
conversion potency of the rear penal as compare to the front penal. The proposed
system provides a signicantly attainable application in the existing solar system.
Generally, the designed system organized in well–observed alignments, thus
partial sunlight is mirrored by the concentrator and throw toward the rear penal,
so that requires energy might convert into thermal energy with the high eciency
by using the advanced bi–facial solar system (Zhu, Wang, Wang, Sun, He & Tang,
2017).
The concentration of scattered irradiation in rear surface increases the overall
eciency of the designed system. All solar panels are in a much–maligned
arrangement in a real application of electrical phenomenon power stations. The
high–eciency solar system expected to gain the scatter irradiation with the
help of concentrator (Rodriguez, et al., 2018). The metallic portion encompasses
a well–made reection to the incident irradiation resulting in comparatively
eective implementation of the system eciency. A major motivation for the
proposed system with a concentrator that is a program by the microcontroller
known as Raspberry Pi for tracking the system to yield the additional energy.
The mono facial panels are not so much reliable due to the light sensitivity as
compare to the bifacial solar system. Most of the panel is using single access
tracking system but we are motivated to design the bi–facial solar tracking system
having two sides for the power extraction sides X at the front and Y for the
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rear penal to collect the scattered irradiation (Wang & Lu, 2013; Patil & Asokan,
2016). The potential of this improved module power output and energy yield
was repeatedly commendable from all measurements through installations in
numerous orientations. However, uncertainties regarding the particular output
of this projected system still deter attainable investors. Even within the solar
community, the important quantitative prot thanks to the bifacial system to suited
technical ideas square measure still below discussion. The bi–facial solar system
will dramatically improve the condition of generation compared to the existing
solar system, so this type of advance model will gain a lot of attention in the future.
This advanced solar model has been investigated intensively and characterized
largely in the eld with completely high gain. The proposed systems will provide
the lump sum output power gain of the front and rear penal measurement. Such
measurements were very reliable, so typically the dierent installation angles and
backgrounds were terribly support to the eective measurement (Khalil, Asif,
Anwar, Haq & Illahi, 2017). Basically, the performance of this bidirectional
solar system originates from the strength and angle of each location, and the
scattered irradiation from the background at the rear penal. The precise nature
of the bidirectional solar system would be more characterize at the well–dened
research laboratory. Signicantly the irradiation intensity level and the angle
dependence area unit are highly important. The strength and angle dependences
are individually investigated; no systematical collaborative investigations are
performed on bidirectional solar system module.
In the old era mono–facial, solar cells were used without any tracking system.
These systems were useful but with respect to time technology continuously
changing by the research and technology by Scientist and demand by the
consumers. They used mono–facial solar cells in combination with single access
tracking system to increase the eciency of the solar tracking system (Khan, et
al., 2017). The rule of a bidirectional module is similar to it of a mono–facial
one. In a mono–facial module, light radiation enters through the front side that
absorbed by the solar PV and reborn into electrons that give electrical power. In
this bidirectional module, an equivalent front side light irradiation assortment
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method happens and, additionally, light radiation is absorbed from the backside
of the module (Rajshree, Jaiswal, Chaudhary & Jayswal, 2016). This rear penal
gets the solar irradiation source from the reected collection of the irradiations
by the concentrator from the ground or a neighboring row of PV modules. The
extra light radiation generates a lot of electrons within the cells that primarily
will increase the module eciency. The voltage of the cell conjointly will increase
slightly as the timely increasing irradiation strength so the power is increased
because of the increasing voltage proportional relationship with the current.
The most typical, bidirectional modules conguration is economical and
viable reliable for the local as well as commercial usage. Bi–facial PV systems
are highly compatible with already existing PV systems and generally achieve a
markedly higher energy yield than mono–facial systems (Brady, Wang, Steenho
& Brolo, 2019). At the same time, bifacial systems are competitive because the
manufacturing costs for the solar cells are slightly lower and the modern cell types
are inherently bifacial and do not involve additional costs. Certied production
technologies for the large–scale manufacture of bifacial cells and modules are
already available on the market. The bifacial systems can be planned in exactly
the same way as mono–facial systems, with a few factors demanding the extra
attention, for example, the properties of the reective ground. This attention will,
however, be rewarded with a higher energy yield. Bifacial modules are opening
up new application possibilities, often arising from the dual use of the installation
area. All in all, bifacial modules can be employed to good advantage for most
applications in terms of energy yield (Ooshaksaraei, Sopian, Zulkii, Alghoul &
Zaidi, 2013). The single access tracking system is to work only one direction with
the help of dierent microcontrollers. The proposed bifacial modules produce
solar power from both sides front and rear side. Whereas the traditional panels
are only designed to convert solar irradiance from one side of the module into dc
power, the bifacial modules are manufactured with clear plates on both the front
and back side of the solar cells. They are designed to convert solar irradiance
from both sides into dc power (Solarworld, in google). Similar to mono–facial
modules, bifacial modules come in a variety of types including framed and
frameless. The reason for this growth in engagement with bifacial technology is
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the capacity to extract maximum power by utilizing the scattered irradiation. It
has been calculated from the experiment that this model is able to increase the
power output compared to the available solar conguration (Sengupta, 2016).
The bi–facial with the tracking system has been made an eort to track the motion
of the sun for collecting maximum energy. The power generation with the help of
a bi–facial solar tracking system is much more as compared to the single axis solar
tracking system. In two several places, the require generation of the electricity is
through the pricy fossil fuels. The user subjected to implies the restriction and
pollutant environment that accompanies by fossil fuels (Renewables 2017 Global
Status Report, 2017). The value intensive system should be placed in the way to
protect the infrastructure and environment pollution. This implies the renewable
energy to fulll the growing demand. Today demand requires an easy plug and
play electricity setup which provides an abundant solution in the way of power
generation and consumption. This system involves in the autonomous frequent
maintenance which will allow the alternative energy generation in an exceeding
system which will be carried out in the form of the solar system (Livingston,
Sivaram, Freeman & Fiege, 2018).
2. MODEL AND METHODS
The bi–facial solar system model provides an eective measurement of power. The
solar radiation such as global, diuse and direct irradiation is fallen on the design
solar system. These models are representing the principal climate phenomena
to attain solar electricity. We analyze the output power of the proposed design
system which is highly depending upon the Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI)
as well as Global Tilted Irradiation (GTI). The power of the system depends
upon solar irradiation received by the surface of photovoltaic modules and the
GHI is the sums of the direct and diuse solar radiation [kWh/m2]. The GHI is
considered as a climate reference as it is an important parameter to check for the
solar PV installation.
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The elevation angle measured relative to the sea level (ELE), also determines the
optimum choice of a site and performance for the solar energy system. Elevation
Angle can be measured by applying Eq. 1
Eq. 1
The zenith angle is the angle between the sun and the vertical. Thus making the
zenith angle = 90° – elevation as under Eq. 2.
Eq. 2
DNI (Direct Normal Irradiation): Solar radiation component that directly reaches
the surface kWh per m square. It is signicant for the proposed system as Eq. 3.
Eq. 3
DIF (Diuse Horizontal Irradiation): Solar radiation component that is scattered
by the atmosphere in kWh/m2 Eq. 4.
Eq. 4
GHI (Global Horizontal Irradiation): The GHI is the Sum of direct and diuse
solar radiation, kWh/m2. It is considered as a climate reference as it is an
important parameter to check for the solar PV installation which can be seen in
Eq. 5.
Eq. 5
Atmospheric temperature, known as the air temperature is another most
important variable determining the ecient performance of solar power systems.
The air temperature degrees or degrees determines the temperature of PV cells
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and modules and has a direct impact on PV energy conversion eciency and
resulting energy losses. Air temperature also some other weather parameters
are the main part of each solar project assessment as they regulate the eective
conditions and operation eciency of the solar power plant (Please refer Eq. 6).
Eq. 6
The solar module is the most widely applied and also the most versatile technology
for the power generation. The solar electricity simulation algorithm, incorporated
in the atlas always provides an approximate estimate of the potential photovoltaic
energy, which can be produced at any location covered by the interactive map, as
shown in Eq. 7.
Eq. 7
Air temperature determines the temperature of PV cells and modules and has
a direct impact on PV energy conversion eciency and resulting energy losses.
The operating conditions and operation eciency of the solar power plant can be
related to the air temperature model is given to nd out the eecting temperature
on the system as Eq. 8.
Eq. 8
The solar radiation model, air temperature model and PV power simulation
model. These models provide location–specic solar radiation and temperature
data. In order to calculate an on–demand utility by assessing the possible PV
system type and conguration, the PV power simulation models are employed.
The air temperature model and another PV power simulation model are given
to nd out the eecting temperature on the system as below Equations Eq. 9–11.
Eq. 9
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.
Eq. 10
Eq. 11
The long–term yearly solar resource estimates by satellite–based models can be
characterized by calculating the bias (systematic deviation) at the validation sites,
where high-quality solar measurement are available. Also the World Bank choose
the same as Eq.1-11 for solar potential calculation in the in the solar atlas so here
these Eq.1-11 reect the same model in this design system.
The polynomial function expresses the estimated best t of the designed solar
model at the available irradiation for the eciency dierence measurement of
front and rear penal of the proposed solar system on any day of the month line
by general polynomial function model, represented as Eq. 12.
Eq. 12
or
The voltage measurement of the proposed design solar system for the front and
rear penal is tted for the eciency dierence checking as shown in Figure 7. We
have selected the dates from 08 to 10 of the Feb 2019 by using the polynomial
regression of 6 degrees as, The quality of the best t for the design system with
the measured voltage data is determined by the value of R2 being close by 1. In
the case of voltage data the R² = 0.993 for the front penal and R² = 0.9754 for
the rear panel. With the application, the polynomial of six degrees seems to be
the best t on the available data. The best t in the case of front penal as shown
in the Eq. 13.
y = –0.0002x6 + 0.0102x5 – 0.1795x4 + 1.6129x3 – 7.9224x2 + 21.999x – 15.328
Eq. 13
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And in the case of rear penal shown in the Eq. 14.
y = 0.0003x6 – 0.0135x5 + 0.2317x4 – 1.9128x3 + 7.4858x2 – 9.0814x + 3.4818
Eq. 14
The measurement of current for front and rear solar penal is tted for the
eciency dierence checking of the designed solar system as shown in Figure 10.
We have selected the dates from 08 to 10 of the Feb 2019 with the polynomial
regression of 6 degrees as, The quality of the best t with the irradiation data
is determined by the value of R2 being close by 1. In this case R² = 0.9595 for
the front penal and R² = 0.9509 for the rear penal. With the application of the
polynomial to 6th degree seems to be the best t on the available data. The best
t in the case of front penal as shown in the Eq.15.
y = 6E–05x6 – 0.0029x5 + 0.0508x4 – 0.4443x3 + 1.9444x2 – 3.3536x + 1.8066
Eq. 15
And in the case of rear penal as shown in the Eq. 16.
y = 7E–05x6 – 0.003x5 + 0.0513x4 – 0.4341x3 + 1.849x2 – 3.1683x + 1.7129
Eq. 16
The power measurement of front and rear solar penal is tted for the eciency
dierence checking as shown in Figure 13. We have selected the dates from 08
to 10 of the Feb 2019 with the polynomial regression of 6th degree as, The
quality of the best t for the designed bi–facial solar system with the irradiation
is determined by the value of R2 being close by 1. In this case R² = 0.9677
for the front penal and R² = 0.9676 for the rear penal. With the application
of the polynomial 6th degree seems to be the best t on the available power
measurement data. The best t in the case of front penal as shown in the Eq. 17.
y = 0.0007x6 – 0.0323x5 + 0.5627x4 – 5.0022x3 + 23.254x2 – 43.174x + 24.743
Eq. 17
And for the case of rear penal as shown in the Eq. 18.
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y = 0.0007x6 – 0.0276x5 + 0.4603x4 – 3.9598x3 + 18.306x2 – 34.732x + 20.41
Eq. 18
3. SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
The proposed design solar system have Light dependent resistors (LDR) that use
the light sensing element. We are using two 12 volts to a gear dc motor. The dc volt
geared the motor so it is used for east–west tracking and other geared dc motor
with a threaded rod for the linear up–down motion for north–south movement.
The LDR’s are sensing the light intensity as shown in Figure 2. The tracking of
sun movement, in that way we can get optimum power of the solar system. The
main object of the design system is to gain maximum power from the sun. The
design system supports the tracking strategy as the annual motion of sun at 23.5o
degree in east–west direction is occurred. In this project, the relay module is used
for converting binary data to electrical output. The design system is controlled by
the microcontroller known as raspberry pi. The raspberry pi is the main control
unit of the design system. The raspberry pi microcontroller gets a signal from the
sensor that decides the direction of the movement of the motors in the required
axis. The python is used to program the raspberry pi for the tracking and control
purpose. The Python is associated with the interpreter, interactive programming
language. It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic writing, and terribly high
level of dynamic knowledge.
3.1. BLOCK DIAGRAM
The basic blocks diagram consisting of Solar PV Panel, light dependent resistor
(LDR), raspberry pi, relay module, analog to digital converter (ADC), power
supply, and battery. The panel gets the irradiation and converts it into electricity
or electrical signal. This generated electricity hold in the battery for upcoming
use. The power will be ow from solar panels to store in the battery. The battery
will be charged fully and get alarms for disconnection within the event of a fault.
The microcontroller is placed in between the solar penal and battery for the
tracking and the system control. The microcontroller has been used to generate
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the control commands from the LDR sensor. The microcontroller oers the
motion to the motor to rotate the parabolic dish. The design system accuracy
depends upon sensor and its accuracy is important for the successful performance
of the algorithm. The last block is load, we are able to use any kind of dc load
here as we have not inserted electrical converter block within the design system.
The ac appliances on solar panels we need to feature electrical converter block
in on top of the diagram in order that it can convert dc power provided by the
solar battery into ac.
Figure 1. Flow Diagram of the Design Solar System.
3.2. EXPERIMENTATION
The potency of a mono–facial solar module is expected to decrease considerably
as compared to the availability of the irradiation thanks to the bi–facial solar
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system to upgrade the eciency of the solar system. The proposed design system
consists of front and rear solar penal with a solar concentrator that gradually
increase the eciency of the reected or scattered solar irradiation tipped on the
rear side of the system. The solar modules square measure mounted beside one
another on a metal frame. Each module is connected to a variable load depending
on the requirement. The circuit includes a two–way relay switch that is tailored
to the circuit to energize the motor to set the direction of the solar penal module
at a time for measurement its output I–V characteristics.
Figure 2. Experimental Setup of Design System.
3.3. MEASUREMENT SETUP
Digital Clamp Meter and Solar Power Meter are used for the measurement. The
Digital Clamp Meter measures voltage, current, and power for each selected days
and the solar power meter used to measure the solar irradiation.
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Figure 3. Digital Clamp Meter and Solar Power Meter.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The specic period of result duration 08 to 10 of the Feb 2019, as of Friday,
Saturday and Sunday are chosen for the resulting survey, we have to use the
clamp meter for the voltage and the current measurement and solar power meter
for the solar irradiation calculation as shown in the Figure 3. The measurement
of the entire process proves that the proposed design system is feasible for the all
advanced solar power system.
5. SOLAR RADIATION MEASUREMENT
The solar irradiation for each of the selected day is observed as shown in the
Figures 4–5. Irradiation and air Temperature measurement analysis for the
design solar PV system is shown in Figure 6.
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Figure 4. Irradiation and air Temperature measurement for the solar PV (Panel X1 and Y1) for the 1st–day
experiment.
Figure 5. Irradiation and air Temperature measurement for the design solar PV system for 1st, 2nd, and
3rd–day experiment.
Figure 6. Irradiation and air Temperature measurement analysis for the design solar PV system for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd–day experiment.
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6. VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT
The voltage measurement of the design system is observed for the selected days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday under the time frame of 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The
X and Y show the front and rear side of the designed solar system. The X1, X2,
and X3 show the selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd day of the front side measurement
similarly Y1, Y2, and Y3 for the rear side measurement. It is observed that the
voltage is maximum during 1:00 PM and a minimum at the 6:00 AM and 7:00
PM as shown in Figure 7. The voltage measurement of front and rear solar PV for
the three days experiment is observed as shown in Figure 8. From the experiment,
it is clearly observed that there is a little bit of output voltage discrimination
between the front and rear solar penal. The voltage dierence between the front
and rear solar penal is due to the direct and scattered fall of solar irradiation.
The direct fall of solar irradiation at the front penal and indirect or scattered
irradiation fall on the rear solar penal make the dierence in the observed voltage
output as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 7. Voltage measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X1 and Y1) for the 1st–day experiment.
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Figure 8. Voltage measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X and Y) for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd–day
experiment.
Figure 9. Voltage measurement difference between the front and rear solar PV (Panel X and Y) for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd–day experiment.
7. CURRENT MEASUREMENT
The current measurement of the design system is observed for the selected days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday under the time frame of 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The
X and Y show the front and rear penal of the designed solar system. The X1, X2
and X3 show the selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of the front side measurement
similarly Y1, Y2, and Y3 for the rear side measurement. It is observed that the
current is maximum during 12:00 AM to 1:00 PM and a minimum at 6:00 AM
and 7:00 PM as shown in Figure 10. The current measurement of front and
rear solar PV (front panel X and rear penal Y) for the three days experiment
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is observed as shown in Figure 11. From the experiment, it is clearly observed
that there is a little bit of output current discrimination between the front and
rear solar penal. The current dierence between the front and rear solar penal
is due to the direct and scattered fall of solar irradiation. The direct fall of solar
irradiation at the front penal and indirect or scattered irradiation fall on the rear
solar penal make the dierence in observed current output as shown in Figure 12.
Figure 10. The current measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X1 and Y1) for the 1st–day
experiment.
Figure 11. The current measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X and Y) for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd–day
experiment.
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Figure 12. Current measurement difference between the front and rear solar PV (Panel X and Y) for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd–day experiment.
8. POWER MEASUREMENT
The power measurement of the design system is observed for the selected days
Friday, Saturday and Sunday under the time frame of 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The
X and Y show the front and rear side of the designed solar system. The X1, X2
and X3 show the selected 1st, 2nd and 3rd days of the front side measurement
similarly Y1, Y2, and Y3 for the rear side measurement. It is observed that the
power is maximum during 1:00 PM and minimum at the 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM
as shown in Figure 13. The Power measurement of front and rear solar PV (front
panel X and rear penal Y) for the three days experiment are observed as shown
in Figure 14. From the experiment, it is clearly observed that there is a little bit of
output power discrimination between the front and rear solar penal. The power
dierence between the front and rear solar penal is due to the direct and scattered
fall of irradiation. The direct irradiation fall at the front penal and indirect or
scattered irradiation fall on the rear penal make the dierence in observed output
power values as shown in Figure 15.
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Figure 13. Power measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X1 and Y1) for the 1st–day experiment.
Figure 14. Power measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X and Y) for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd–day
experiment.
Figure 15. Power measurement difference between the front and rear solar PV (Panel X and Y) for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd–day experiment.
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The total three days voltage, current, and the power measurement is observed
for the selected days as shown in Figure 16. The total values observation is based
upon the addition of the front and rear penal voltage, current and power values.
Figure 16. Total voltage, total current and total power measurement of front and rear solar PV (Panel X
and Y) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd–day experiment.
9. DISCUSSION
Bifacial solar tracking system performed well while taking results. The power
capabilities of the proposed design system had been experimentally tested with
two 40W solar panels at dierent rotations of the time frame under standard test
conditions. Hence total 80W solar panel was connected with the dierent loads
and checked one by one in series and in parallel. The tracker was connected in
parallel to the voltmeter (0–100 V). The 12 V battery keep in closed circuit voltage
at a constant level throughout the experiment. The current and voltages have been
measured at various time frames throughout the day as the sun moved. To keep
the system simple for experimental purpose, the designed system can be rotated
manually with the help of proper gearing and motor, but we can actually rotate
the panel with external power supply or from the power generated by itself. The
required voltage level to maintain the system is 10V and the standard alignment
of the tracker was kept at 45°. Then the tracker was moved with the help of dc
gear motors in the direction of incident solar radiation. So the designed system
can extract the maximum amount of solar power from the available radiation
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throughout the day as the sun kept moving from east to west. To analyze the
performance of the tracker, the measurements take place at dierent selected
days after every hour from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The voltage level was very
good while taking the reading in series connection. On the other hand, the while
connected in parallel the maximum current was 4.39 amperes and the total power
was 82.61 watts that were too good for our experiment and had a good result.
Only very minor discrimination was found between the readings of direct facing
panels and reected or back side connected panel. The rear penal of design solar
system is supported by the concentrator for amplifying the strength of reected
irradiation. We took the readings of 3 days and got the results which were very
successful in our study of this project design to provide the optimal require value.
10. ANALYSIS
The advance bi–facial system is designated for the tracking strategy which enables
high collectible energy surplus at medium tracking accuracy which is new and
low–cost tracking system with the soft ridge concentrator together. The bi–facial
PV panels can double photovoltaic energy harvest in comparison with xed
panels and substantially reduce the price of PV energy which is fundamental
aspects of the energy production. The system is designed by combining the two
equal watts solar penal having anti–parallel alignment with each other. The rear
penal of the design system is supported by concentrator for strengthening the
eciency of the scattered irradiation. The scattered irradiation generates a lot of
extra energy due to the design structure of the proposed system. The rear penal
of the system primarily increases the eciency of the module. The voltage of the
system is conjoint increases slightly as the timely increasing irradiation strength.
The design system illustrates the little bit dierent in the observed values of front
and rear penal of the voltage, current, and power as shown in the Figures 9,12
and 15. The most typically, the designed module’s conguration is economical
and viable reliable for the local as well as commercial usage.
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The measurement of voltage, current, and power for front and rear solar penal is
tted for the eciency dierence checking of the designed solar system as shown
in Figures 7, 10, and 13. We have surveyed the proposed system in the dates
as 08 to 10 of the Feb 2019 with the polynomial regression of 6 degrees. The
quality of the best t with the irradiation data is determined by the value of R2
being close to 1 in the case of front and rear penal. The below table explores the
design system in the way of eciency enhancement. The front and rear penal
show the little bit dierent in the value of R2 as shown in the Table 1. Hence
from the whole observation it is proved that rear penal gives the relatively little
bit less value of voltage, current, and power as compared to the front penal. So
by adding the values both sides the system expresses the feasible eciency which
is comparatively best then the foreign–based expensive available bi–facial model.
Design Module Front Penal R
2
Rear Penal R
2
Voltage 0.993 0.9754
Current 0.9595 0.9509
Power 0.9677 0.9676
Table 1. The 6th degree polynomial R2 values.
The output power for a proposed setup is ecient and reliable. This system
provides wide–range usage in developing countries. Our goal is to develop an
economical and relatively best combination of hardware and software to enable
the manufacturers globally to make and improve the design strategy.
11. CONCLUSION
The designed bifacial solar system is more ecient than all other old methods of
getting solar power from the sun. The proposed bifacial system is useful for all
the o–grid and on–grid areas. The design system is a low–cost solar system that
is compatible and reliable. The users are aordable in order to use this system
domestically as well as commercially to get great eciency. The design system is
highly ecient and economical reliable in terms of the electrical energy output
as compared to the other system.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The eorts of the Department of Electronic Engineering, NED University of
Engineering &Technology and Indus University, Karachi, are acknowledged for
its support.
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AUTHORS
Sabir Ali Kalhoro
M.Engg (Industrial Electronics) Student from Department of
Electronics Engineering NED University of Engineering and
Technology Karachi Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Engr. Sayed Hyder Abbas Musvi
Senior Member of IEEE
Dean at Faculty of Engineering, Science & Technology Indus
University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sikandar Ali
MS (RS & GIS) From Department of Geography University of
Karachi Pakistan, Currently working as lecturer at Faculty of
Engineering, Science & Technology Indus University Pakistan.
Saadullah Rahoojo
Lecturer at Department of Geography, University of Sindh Jamshoro,
Pakistan.
Asim Nawaz
MS (RS & GIS) Student Department of Geography University of
Karachi.
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