Self-regulating solar tracking device and its control method

ZHU Jun-hao1， HE Zhong-jie2
（1. Hangzhou Junlong Neon Electronic Products Ltd. Co.， Hangzhou 310006， China；
2. School of Automation， Hangzhou Dianzi University， Hangzhou 310018， China）

Abstract： In order to solve the problems of low photovoltaic power generation efficiency for that the angle of sun and solar panels is difficult to maintain the vertical，an automatic tracking which could maintain the vertical of the sun and solar panels to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic was designed. The control strategy and adjustment algorithm of the system were presented. The control system has single-chip microcomputer AT89C51 as the core，and can judge independently whether meet the boot operation conditions according to environmental conditions. If the conditions are satisfied，according to the duration of sunshine and the control periods，the solar elevation angle and azimuth angle are regulated by two groups of stepping motors and driving mechanism respectively，thus making the implementation of the time-division automatic tracking regulation control all day，which makes the panels and sunlight keeping the vertical angle，to obtain the best efficiency. If the weather conditions do not meet the requirements，for example，mechanism will shut down automatically when it rains or the illuminance is insufficient，and automatical change of the attitude could avoid unnecessary outside force damage when the wind may cause damage. The experimental results show that the system has the advantages of convenient installation，low initial investment and operating costs，and good reliability. Compared to the fixed installation of photovoltaic system，the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the system is significantly improved.
Key words： solar device；tracking control；stepping motor