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http://dx.doi.org/10.5302/J.ICROS.2014.13.1966

A Hybrid Solar Tracking System using Weather Condition Estimates with a Vision Camera and GPS  

Yoo, Jeongjae (The Department of Automotive Engineering, Kookmin University)
Kang, Yeonsik (The Department of Automotive Engineering, Kookmin University)
Publication Information
Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems / v.20, no.5, 2014 , pp. 557-562 More about this Journal
Abstract
It is well known that solar tracking systems can increase the efficiency of exiting solar panels significantly. In this paper, a hybrid solar tracking system has been developed by using both astronomical estimates from a GPS and the image processing results of a camera vision system. A decision making process is also proposed to distinguish current weather conditions using camera images. Based on the decision making results, the proposed hybrid tracking system switches two tracking control methods. The one control method is based on astronomical estimates of the current solar position. And the other control method is based on the solar image processing result. The developed hybrid solar tracking system is implemented on an experimental platform and the performance of the developed control methods are verified.
Keywords
alternative energy; solar panel; solar tracking; sensor fusion; vision based control;
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