Engineer Ivan Siry (Khmeln. region, Ukraine) developed and built DIY solar tracker. Ivan shared video, drawings and experience.
This tracker is twoaxis, designed according to the fullfledged AADAT ("azimuthelevation") scheme. The main axis of rotation here is vertical, on which the entire structure rotates in azimuth (X) from east to west during the day. Also in the rotary part of the structure there is a second axis, which provides a change in the angle of inclination of the array of solar panels along the elevation (Y). And the table of the solar tracker is oriented up and down depending on the current height of the sun above the horizon, as well as on weather conditions (is it cloudy or sunny, is there a strong wind, snow, hail). This scheme is the most energy efficient, windproof and userfriendly compared to TTDAT and other single axis solar trackers.
The tracker is controlled by the SONYAH DIN controller, which automatically orients the solar panels to the best position, in which the maximum PV modules surface illumination is achieved. The decision on reorientation is made by the control unit based on the analysis of the signals of photometric light sensors, taking into account the state of the X, Y drives and emergency situations (wind, hail). Orientation algorithms using real light signals allow you to get the maximum possible performance of a solar panel as opposed to tracking the estimated position of the sun, which is performed by astronomical calculation based on GPS coordinates and time.
The video shows the results of an experiment comparing the energy received from the static panels on the roof (6 kW) and from the solar tracker (6 kW).
The tracker uses standard drives X, Y:
Slewing device SC12 (based on a worm gear motor) bought in China for $500 + shipping $500.
Actuator SuperPowerJack QARL3636+ $150
Video reviews of the actuator:
Brief review from supplier "ROKS", Ukraine: • Актуатор для солнечного трекера Super...
Full review and comparison of QARL and HARL actuators: • Актуатор SuperPowerJack qarl 3624 о...
Where can I buy actuator for a solar tracker: https://roks.com.ua/satelits/aktuator...
The cost of a solar power plant without a tracker was $9000.
The cost of a tracker: construction $1800 + solar panels $2500.
Other questions regarding the design and operation of the tracker can be asked in the comments by contacting Ivan directly the AUTHOR of this project.
More about SONYAH controllers for solar tracker:
https://sonyah.solar/tracker
https://sonyah.solar/trackerdin
Thank you for your attention!
P.S.: Unfortunately, the graph on this video is not correct! The corrected graph can be viewed in the video (v.2): • Создание 6 кВт солнечного трекера: ис... The graph displays two data series of current output powers (P) of two identical arrays of solar panels on the roof and on the tracker (both arrays are identical, 6 kW each). It can be seen that on stationary panels, energy production increases smoothly in the morning, and reaches a peak at noon, then gradually decreases. On the tracker, however, the generation rises sharply in the morning, and also drops sharply in the evening, and throughout the day you can trace an almost flat area, a "plateau" at a level of about 6 kW. You can also see synchronous "dips" on both graphs this is cloudiness.