Web based Grid connected photovoltaic system with dual axis solar tracking

When it comes to the growth of any country, energy is the main driving factor. There is a massive quantity of energy that get extracted, distributed, converted and consumed in the global society. Now oil and coal are main source of energy, but there is a fact that the fossil fuels are limited and ha

Project Title

Web based Grid connected photovoltaic system with dual axis solar tracking

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

When it comes to the growth of any country, energy is the main driving factor. There is a massive quantity of energy that get extracted, distributed, converted and consumed in the global society. Now oil and coal are main source of energy, but there is a fact that the fossil fuels are limited and hand strong pollution. Utilization of this resources growths the emission of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCL), Nitrogen Oxides, and Sulphur Oxides which are accountable for the global warming and greenhouse effect. The utilization of renewable energy resources is the vital solution to these problems. They are derived from natural processes that replenish constantly, are everlasting, and clean as well. Earth receives solar energy approx... 6000 times of our total energy demand. In the last two centuries, we started using Sun's energy directly to make electricity. A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell) is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. A solar panel is a set of solar photovoltaic modules electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure.  To capture the sunlight onto the panels it is necessary that the panel should face the sun. Sunlight falling perpendicularly on the panel generates more electricity by photovoltaic effect due to the increased light intensity. For this purpose, we have introduced a tracking phenomenon, that tracks the sunlight onto the panels and electricity is generated. Single axis tracking system was built first, i.e. tracker rotates in a single direction only. Later on the technique that was introduced is a dual axis tracking system, that tracks the sun in both angles, i.e. azimuth and altitude. The panel rotates both in vertical and horizontal direction. For an uninterrupted supply of electricity throughout the day we have also introduced a bidirectional meter that not only saves the electricity but also helps getting the electricity form the grid to the consumer if required. There are different type of systems that are connected to the grid according to the consumer’s requirements. Grid connected system is a system that is connected to the public electricity grid via bidirectional meter (i.e. a two way meter for transferring of electricity from grid to consumer and vice versa) and any additional power that is generated is exported to the electricity grid and consumer usually gets credited for the energy they export. Solar energy promises of becoming a reliable energy source without any polluting effects. Useful energy is obtained for commercial and non-commercial purposes through this renewable source.

Project Objectives

• Designed a mechanical structure that is able to rotate in dual axis direction

The most challenging part of this system was assembling the mechanical structure of the system. The objective was to make tracking system an energy efficient which demands smart operation of the tracking motors. Generally one of these motors is used for tracking (east-west motion) and other for making a tracking (north-south motion). So the (east-west motion) tracking motor operates continuously based on light sensors and (north-south motion) motion tracking motor operates only a few times over the year.

• Identify the azimuth and altitude angles from sunrise to sunset

 The azimuth angle is the direction from which the sunlight is coming. At solar noon, the sun is always directly south in the northern hemisphere and directly north in the southern hemisphere. The azimuth angle varies throughout the day. The sun rises directly east and sets directly west regardless of the latitude, thus making the azimuth angles 90° at sunrise and 270° at sunset.

The altitude angle describes how high the sun appears in the sky. The angle is measured between an imaginary line between the observer and the sun and the horizontal plane the observer is standing on. The altitude angle is negative when the sun drops below the horizon.

• Increasing efficiency and accuracy of the system

In dual-axis tracking system, the sunrays are captured to the maximum by tracking the movement of the sun in four different directions. The dual-axis solar tracker follows the angular height position of the sun in the sky in addition to following the sun’s east-west movement. The dual-axis works in the same way as the single-axis but measures the horizontal as well as the vertical axis. The average power values prove that the dual-axis panel produces more power than that of the single axis. The power efficiency calculated for the singe-axis solar tracker is said to be 36% more than that of the single axis.

• Connecting the system with a bidirectional meter to ensure hybrid grid connected system

Bi-Directional meter senses the direction of flow of current and stores the data in separate registers for your consumption and production of electricity. This meter can measure the flow of electricity in two directions in coming as well as out-going at the same time. In the daytime, most of the loads are in off state. Therefore, the excess energy produced from your solar plant has to be feedback to the grid in case of a grid tied system. At this point, direction of flow of current is backward from your home system to the grid. The energy meter records the data in export register. In night time, there is no solar generation and electricity is imported from the grid or electric company “kWh delivered” to run the building load. Now, the direction of flow of current is forward and meter records the data in import register.

Project Implementation Method

The implementation methodology behind this project depends on various factors. Right from the beginning of the project, we developed a strategy that required for this project. Literature review is the most important factor for any project. After passing a literature review part, our team moved towards the phase of components collecting. Picking up right components was one of its tasks. Things that were need to be under consideration for components are rating of motor, size of panel, capacity of panel. Moreover, we programmed our micro controller that controls our motors and help panel for its rotation. After completing this phase of project, we moved on towards the net metering idea. That how we will introduce or bring net meter in our project. We are still in debate that either we will design our own meter or we will use meter from market.

Benefits of the Project

World is progressing towards renewable energy resources quite rapidly. From the beginning of power production by using various conventional energy sources like coal and petroleum, time has come to change the methodology of energy production. Due to advancement in technology and massive increment in world population, energy demand is increasing day by day.

As our project is completely based on solar energy so here are some the benefits of our projects which will indirectly relate to the benefits of renewable energy as well.

Solution to energy crisis

World is still deprived of availing electricity in many sectors. If we particularly discuss about Pakistan, so many villages are still under the limelight of not getting electricity. The reason behind such factor is that majority of electricity in Pakistan is being generated by the use of conventional energy sources like coal, fuel. For the running of industrial sector, government is burdened to produce them electricity which cause load-shedding factor to rise especially in small town or villages. If we move us towards the use of Solar, it means everyone can generate its own electricity and use it according to its demand. In either industrial sector or commercial sector, one should bring renewable/ non-conventional energy source as much as we can.

Clean and safe energy source

This will reduce the fossil fuel fired electricity generation. In particular, our target is to reduce the impact of CO2, NOx, and SO2 emission. Fossil fuel fired power plant are responsible for generating 40% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, 23% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and 67% of Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission

On Grid System

This project is based on grid connected system. These systems do not need batteries and use common solar inverters. The system is connected to the public electricity grid via bidirectional meter (i.e. a two way meter for transferring of electricity from grid to consumer and vice versa) and any additional power that is generated is exported to the electricity grid and consumer usually gets credited for the energy they export. When your solar system is not operating, or you are using more electricity than your system is producing, you will start importing or consuming electricity from the grid.

Easy Installation

Photovoltaic system does not required heavy methodology for its installation. You can install at your roof top or anywhere else. You just need to under consider the path of sunlight. The mechanism required behind its installation is very much easy. One should understand the concept of series and parallel circuitry. We can connect modules in series or parallel to increase voltages or current of a system. Other connections of system are also not as much difficult. Another major advantage behind PV system is that it does not required heavy plants to take care of them as compare to conventional energy sources.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

At the end of this project, we will be able to demonstrate the complete design of web based grid connected photovoltaic system with dual axis tracking. we will provide some statistical data after calculations which shows where our project is standing. our panelist will look our data which will be made by some testing of complete project under sunlight. We will provide a project with complete details, which includes circuit diagram, report witing, brief description of componenets used. we will also provide graphical data through which it will be easy for our panelist to judge our project.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

IT

Core Technology

Internet of Things (IoT)

Other Technologies

Big Data, Clean Tech

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and Production

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com