Experimental performance comparison of a 2-axis sun tracking system with fixed system under the climatic conditions of Düzce, Turkey

Authors: ALİ ÖZTÜRK, SELMAN ALKAN, UĞUR HASIRCI, SALİH TOSUN

Abstract: In this study, an experimental performance comparison of a 2-axis tracking system with a fixed panel in a solar renewable energy system is conducted. The paper mainly focuses on a cost-benefit analysis of fixed and tracking modules. For this aim, an experimental setup was built and periodical measurements were then obtained from the setup. To provide a better comparison, the panels were exposed to the same conditions during the measurements. By considering the real-time experimental results, the paper provides a quantitative analysis of the feasibility of tracking panels for domestic applications as well as an analysis of payback period if a tracking system is used for a home-building application instead of using a conventional fixed module. The study is restricted to the geographical region of Düzce, Turkey.

Keywords: Photovoltaics, sun tracking systems, renewable energy, solar energy

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