Development of Solar Tracking System for Domestic Application
By
MOHAMAD SHAW ARI BIN ABU BAKAR
FINAL REPORT
Submitted to the Electrical & Electronics Engineering Programme in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Electrical & Electronics Engineering)
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Bandar Seri Iskandar
31750 Tronoh Perak Darul Ridzuan
© Copyright 20 II by
Mohamad Shawari Bin Abu Bakar, 2011
CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL
Development of Solar Tracking System for Domestic Application
Approved by,
Project Supervisor
By
MOHAMAD SHAW ARI BIN ABU BAKAR
A project dissertation submitted to the Electrical & Electronics Engineering Programme
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Electrical & Electronics Engineering)
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Senior M•nsger Academic Central SerJl sSingh Mahinder Singh)
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS
TRONOH, PERAK
May 2011
CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY
This is to certify that I am responsible for the work submitted in this project, that the original work is my own except as specified in the references and acknowledgements, and that the original work contained herein have not been undertaken or done by unspecified sources or persons.
Mohamad Sha
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ABSTRACT
The highly volatile prices fossil fuel currently creates an opportunity for the development of alternative approaches in electricity generation. Comprehensive and concerted efforts are focused at developing SEGS (Solar Electricity Generation System). One of the challenges faced by SEGS is the apparent trajectory of the sun.
Often, SEGS designers use standard testing condition, whereby the level of solar insolation is taken to be a constant value of 1 OOOW/m2 The fact remains that the only constant value of solar insolation occurs just outside the earth atmosphere, where the value of 1353W/m2 is declared as solar constant. This value drops significantly as the solar radiation passes through the atmosphere, where the typical range is between 150 W/m2 and 1000W/m2• The aim of this project is to address the apparent trajectory of the sun. A novel design of the sun tracker has been tested and is able to do two-axis tracking for photovoltaic based SEGS.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All pra1se to Allah the Almighty, which have helped and guided me m completing my Final Year Project.
First and foremost, my deepest gratitude goes to my mother for her support and love.
My highest appreciation goes to all staffs in Universiti Teknologi Petronas for their commitment and cooperation in creating this course successful which is beyond my expectation.
Special thanks to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh as my supervisor for his supervision from my first proposal until the presentation day. He has constantly provided valuable guidance and advice which has motivated me to contribute my fullest towards this project.
Last but not least thanks to all that involve directly or indirectly in the development of my project 'Development of Solar Tracking System for Domestic Application'.
Thank you.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT... 111
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... ··· ... ···... IV LIST OF FIGURES ... ···... VIII LIST OF TABLES... x
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ... . 1.1 Background of Study ... . 1.2 Problem Statement.. ... . 1.3 The Objectives ... . 1.4 Scope OfStudy ... . CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ... . 2.1 Energy from the Sun ... . 2.2 Solar Geometry ... . 2.2.1 Earth motions and Declination ... . 2.2.2 Sun Position ... ... . 2.2.3 Solar Radiation on a Titled Surface ... ... . 2.3 Solar Collector ... . 2.3.1 Photovoltaic Effects- Method for Producing Electricity ... . 2.3.2 The Silicon Solar Cells ... ... . 2.3.3 Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells ... ... . 2 2 3 4 4 6 6 8 10 ]] 11 12 13 2.4 Solar Trackers... 13
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY... 16
3.1 Project Flow... 16
3.2 Design Approach... 17
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