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Development of a Solar Tracker using LabVIEW for the enhancement of Solar Energy Utilization  

Oh, Seung-Jin (Nuclear and Energy Engineering Department, Jeju Nat'l University)
Lee, Yoon-Joon (Nuclear and Energy Engineering Department, Jeju Nat'l University)
Kim, Nam-Jin (Nuclear and Energy Engineering Department, Jeju Nat'l University)
Oh, Won-Jong (Nuclear and Energy Engineering Department, Jeju Nat'l University)
Kuan, Chen (Dept. of Mechanical enginerring, University of Utah)
Chun, Won-Gee (Nuclear and Energy Engineering Department, Jeju Nat'l University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society / v.30, no.3, 2010 , pp. 98-107 More about this Journal
Abstract
This paper introduces step by step procedures for the design, fabrication and operation of a solar tracking system. The system presented in this study consists of motion controllers, motor drives, step-motors, feedback devices and other accessories to support its functional stability. CdS sensors are used to constantly generate feedback signals to the controller, which assures a high-precision solar tracking even under adverse conditions. It enables instant correction if the system goes off track by strong winds causing gear backlash. A parabolic dish concentrator is mounted on the tracking system whose diameter was 30cm. The solar position data, in terms of azimuth and elevation, sunrise and sunset times were compared with 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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