Technologies of solar tracking systems: A review

Abstract

Abstract Solar energy is abundantly in nature and sustainable energy resources around the world. The main challenge with the solar field is less amount of sun energy captured by using photovoltaic (PV) systems. The great performance of the PV systems can be achieved if the panel is kept perpendicular to the direction of the radiations of sun. Hence, solar tracker system is the method to keep the optimum position of the PV panel for always perpendicular to the solar radiation. This paper aims to review on various technologies of solar tracking to determine the best PV panel orientation. The various types of technologies of solar tracking system have been discussed which includes passive solar tracker, active solar tracker and chronological tracker system. The movement degrees of solar tracking system also have been addressed which consisting single-axis solar tracking system and dual-axis solar tracking system. This paper is also overviews the tracking techniques performance, construction, performance, advantages, and disadvantages of existing solar tracking system. The limitations of solar tracking systems are also highlighted for future action improvement. Through this research studies, the most favorable solar tracking system was identified as active solar tracker with the dual axis rotation.