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Development of an Embedded Solar Tracker using LabVIEW  

Oh, Seung-Jin (Jeju National Univeristy, Nuclear & Energy Engineering Department)
Lee, Yoon-Joon (Jeju National Univeristy, Nuclear & Energy Engineering Department)
Kim, Nam-Jin (Jeju National Univeristy, Nuclear & Energy Engineering Department)
Oh, Won-Jong (Jeju National Univeristy, Nuclear & Energy Engineering Department)
Chun, Won-Gee (Jeju National Univeristy, Nuclear & Energy Engineering Department)
Publication Information
Journal of Energy Engineering / v.19, no.2, 2010 , pp. 128-135 More about this Journal
Abstract
This paper introduces step by step procedures for the fabrication and operation of an embedded solar tracker. The system presented consists of application software, compactRIO, C-series interface module, analogue input module, step drive, step motor, feedback devices and other accessories to support its functional stability. CompactRIO that has a real-tim processor allows the solar tracker to be a stand-alone real time system which operates automatically without any external control. An astronomical method and an optical method were used for a high-precision solar tracker. CdS sensors are used to constantly generate feedback signals to the controller, which allow a solar tracker to track the sun even under adverse conditions. The database of solar position and sunrise and sunset time was compared with those of those of the Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The results presented here clearly demonstrate the high-accuracy of the present system in solar tracking, which are applicable to many existing solar systems.
Keywords
Solar tracker; Solar position; Sunrise and sunset time; LabVIEW;
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