Assessment of Single-Axis Solar Tracking System Efficiency in Equatorial Regions: A Case Study of Manta, Ecuador

IF 3 4区工程技术 Q3 ENERGY & FUELS Energies Pub Date : 2024-08-09 DOI:10.3390/en17163946

M. A. Ponce-Jara, Iván Pazmiño, Ángelo Moreira-Espinoza, Alfonso Gunsha-Morales, Catalina Rus-Casas

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Abstract

Ecuador is grappling with a severe energy crisis, marked by frequent power outages. A recent study explored solar energy efficiency in the coastal city of Manta using an IoT real-time monitoring system to compare static photovoltaic (PV) systems with two single-axis solar tracking systems: one based on astronomical programming and the other using light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors. Results showed that both tracking systems outperformed the static PV system, with net gains of 31.8% and 37.0%, respectively. The astronomical-programming-based system had a slight edge, operating its stepper motor intermittently for two minutes per hour, while the LDR system required continuous motor energization. The single-axis tracker using astronomical programming demonstrated notable advantages in energy efficiency and complexity, making it suitable for equatorial regions like Manta. The study also suggested potential further gains by adjusting solar positioning at shorter intervals, such as every 15 or 30 min. These findings enhance our understanding of solar tracking performance in equatorial environments, offering valuable insights for optimizing solar energy systems in regions with high solar radiation. By emphasizing customized solar tracking mechanisms, this research presents promising solutions to Ecuador’s energy crisis and advances sustainable energy practices.

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赤道地区单轴太阳能跟踪系统效率评估：厄瓜多尔曼塔案例研究

厄瓜多尔正面临着严重的能源危机，经常停电。最近的一项研究探索了沿海城市曼塔的太阳能效率，利用物联网实时监控系统比较了静态光伏（PV）系统和两个单轴太阳能跟踪系统：一个基于天文编程，另一个使用光敏电阻（LDR）传感器。结果表明，两种跟踪系统的性能均优于静态光伏系统，净收益分别为 31.8% 和 37.0%。基于天文编程的系统略胜一筹，其步进电机每小时间歇运行两分钟，而 LDR 系统则需要电机持续通电。使用天文编程的单轴跟踪器在能效和复杂性方面表现出明显的优势，使其适用于像曼塔这样的赤道地区。研究还表明，通过缩短调整太阳定位的时间间隔，例如每 15 或 30 分钟调整一次，还可能进一步提高效率。这些发现加深了我们对赤道环境中太阳能跟踪性能的了解，为优化高太阳辐射地区的太阳能系统提供了宝贵的见解。通过强调定制的太阳能跟踪机制，这项研究为厄瓜多尔的能源危机提出了有希望的解决方案，并推动了可持续能源实践。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Energies ENERGY & FUELS-

CiteScore

6.20

自引率

21.90%

发文量

8045

审稿时长

1.9 months

期刊介绍： Energies (ISSN 1996-1073) is an open access journal of related scientific research, technology development and policy and management studies. It publishes reviews, regular research papers, and communications. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. There is no restriction on the length of the papers. The full experimental details must be provided so that the results can be reproduced.