Control strategy for a dual-axis sun tracker based on a radiometric cube to maximize the power output of the PV system

Mahery Henintsoa Andriamahefa (1) , Vincent Bourdin (2) , Xavier Mininger (1) , Jordi Badosa (3) , Johan Parra (3) , Anne Migan-Dubois (1)

1 GeePs - Laboratoire Génie électrique et électronique de Paris
2 LIMSI - Laboratoire d'Informatique pour la Mécanique et les Sciences de l'Ingénieur
3 LMD - Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (UMR 8539)

The use of solar energy as an energy source is essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a photovoltaic system, the use of a sun tracker can produce up to 40% more energy than a fixed system. However, it is important, especially in temperate climates, to have an effective control strategy that can adapt the movement of the solar tracker for all weather conditions. This work presents a new control strategy for a dual-axis sun tracker based on a radiometric cube with four photodiode sensors on its East, West, South and Zenith faces. The optimal direction that maximises the irradiance received by the sun tracker can be determined through the mathematical expression of the irradiances on the four faces of the cube, considering an isotropic model for the diffuse luminance of the sky. This new control strategy adjusts the movement of the solar tracker to an optimal position in all weather conditions. The proposed control strategy provides a 40.5% gain in energy output on a cloudy day compared to the standard chronometric sun tracking strategy. For periods of clear and highly variable sky, the difference between the two strategies is only 0.15% and 1%.

Mots clés: Solar tracking; control algorithm; photovoltaic; radiometric cube

Domaines: Energie électrique

Mahery Henintsoa Andriamahefa, Vincent Bourdin, Xavier Mininger, Jordi Badosa, Johan Parra, et al.. Control strategy for a dual-axis sun tracker based on a radiometric cube to maximize the power output of the PV system. EPJ Photovoltaics, 2023, 14, pp.35. ⟨10.1051/epjpv/2023022⟩. ⟨hal-04324696⟩