Abstract:
This thesis describes an optimal method to control a solar tracking system forphotovoltaic power system, using PV sensor to search optimal position for PV modules.This method emphasizes the increase in the energy obtained compared with the energyused in control action. The control system are divided into 3 sections : (1) optimizingposition to PV sensor, (2) decision making, and (3) position tracking control of PVmodules.The thesis procedure was divided into 6 steps : (I) testing performanceparameters of the control system, (2) designing and modifying mechanical structure,(3) modelling the control system, (4) designing and constructing electrical interfaces,(5) programing, and (6) testing and analysing the system.The results of the experiment, showed that the PV power system could generatemore energy than the fixed modules by about 30-32 %, or 3 10 W-h or 4 7 W (onaverage) during the time interval from 9:30 am to 4 pm, while the energy consumptionof control systems and driver required 3-5 W-h. The PV system that tracks at aconstant rate of movement (15 degrees per hour) could generate more energy than thefixed modules by about 26-28 % or 270 W-h or 42 W (on average) in the sametime interval, while the energy consumption required 8-l 0 W-h. For the period before9:30 am (9:00-9:30 am) and after 4 pm (4 pm-5 pm) where there were nomovement of the PV modules, the energy obtained was about 30-40 W-h higher thanthat for the case where PV modules remain fixed at all time with no energy consumptionby the control system.