Simulation Development of Multi-Axis PV System Tracker

Solar energy is the energy generated by harnessing the power of solar radiation. In order to extract maximum energy from the sun, the solar panel installed must be positioned as much as possible perpendicular to the sun’s incident radiation. However, due to the continuous change in relative angle of the sun with reference to earth and other constraints, for instance; shadow of long buildings and trees around the PV plant, reduces the yield power delivered by solar panel is reduced considerably. To reduce the loss and to increase the efficiency of the photovoltaic panel solar trackers are best alternative. Various types of tracking systems were developed. However, most of them were done with the emphasis of the unceasing change of relative angle of the sun. In this research work, inspired by a previous collaboration with the University of the District of Columbia, in Washington DC, USA, we, at the faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, proposed a novel multi axis tracking system aimed at reducing shadow effect and improve PV panel efficiency by extending solar extraction daily hour in small scaled system for the selected rural locations.