Abstract:
The paper presents a method to improve the efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) string by employing a mono-axis tracking
mechanism. The tracking system was optimized so that it has minimum energy consumption during tracking. The PV string
simultaneously changes the daily position using a linear actuator which transmits the motion to all modules by a rack-pinion gear
mechanism. The system is designed in virtual prototyping concept with the following software solutions: for the solid modeling -
CATIA, for developing the mechanical model as multi-body system - ADAMS, and for the control system design -
MATLAB/Simulink and ADAMS/Controls. The motion law was developed by a step-by-step tracking program, the application in
this paper being performed for the summer solstice day.