LAPSE:2021.0271
Published Article
LAPSE:2021.0271
The Impacts of Tracking System Inaccuracy on CPV Module Power
Henrik Zsiborács, Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai, András Vincze, Philipp Weihs, Stefan F. Schreier, Christian Gützer, Michael Revesz, Gábor Pintér
April 29, 2021
The accuracy and reliability of solar tracking greatly impacts the performance of concentrator photovoltaic modules (CPV). Thus, it is of utmost significance to know how deviations in tracking influence CPV module power. In this work, the positioning characteristics of CPV modules compared to the focus points were investigated. The performance of CPV modules mounted on a dual-axis tracking system was analysed as a function of their orientation and inclination. The actual experiment was carried out with CPV cells of 3 mm in diameter. By using a dual tracking system under real weather conditions, the module’s position was gradually modified until the inclination differed by 5° relative to the optimal position of the focus point of the CPV module. The difference in inclination was established by the perfect perpendicularity to the Sun’s rays. The results obtained specifically for CPV technology help determine the level of accuracy that solar tracking photovoltaic systems are required to have to keep the loss in power yield under a certain level. Moreover, this power yield loss also demonstrated that the performance insensitivity thresholds of the CPV modules did not depend on the directions of the alterations in azimuthal alignment. The novelty of the research lies in the fact that earlier, no information had been found regarding the tracking insensitivity point in CPV technologies. A further analysis was carried out to compare the yield of CPV to other, conventional photovoltaic technologies under real Central European climate conditions. It was shown that CPV needs a sun tracking accuracy of at least 0.5° in order to surpass the yield of other PV technologies. Besides providing an insight into the tracking error values of solar tracking sensors, it is believed that the results might facilitate the planning of solar tracking sensor investments as well as the economic calculations related to 3 mm cell diameter CPV system investments.
Keywords
azimuth angle, concentrator photovoltaic module, solar energy, sun-tracking, sun-tracking sensor, tilt angle
Suggested Citation
Zsiborács H, Baranyai NH, Vincze A, Weihs P, Schreier SF, Gützer C, Revesz M, Pintér G. The Impacts of Tracking System Inaccuracy on CPV Module Power. (2021). LAPSE:2021.0271
Author Affiliations
Zsiborács H: Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, Nagykanizsa Campus, University of Pannonia, 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Baranyai NH: Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, Nagykanizsa Campus, University of Pannonia, 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Vincze A: Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, Nagykanizsa Campus, University of Pannonia, 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Weihs P: Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment (WAU), Institute of Meteorology and Climatology (BOKU-Met), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria
Schreier SF: Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment (WAU), Institute of Meteorology and Climatology (BOKU-Met), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria
Gützer C: Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment (WAU), Institute of Meteorology and Climatology (BOKU-Met), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria
Revesz M: Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment (WAU), Institute of Meteorology and Climatology (BOKU-Met), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria [ORCID]
Pintér G: Soós Ernő Research and Development Center, Renewable Energy Research Group, Nagykanizsa Campus, University of Pannonia, 8800 Nagykanizsa, Hungary
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
8
Issue
10
Article Number
E1278
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-10-12
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr8101278, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2021.0271
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doi:10.3390/pr8101278
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Apr 29, 2021
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Calvin Tsay
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