Hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for solar panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for solar panels which utilises the buoyancy of water.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION HYDROELECTRONIC DAYLIGHT TRACKING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR PANELS Technical Field The invention relates to a hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for solar panels which utilises the buoyancy of water. Prior Art One of the technological developments for the widespread use of solar energy is solar tracking systems. These systems enable solar panels to receive maximum light by following the position of the sun, which increases efficiency in energy production. Solar tracking systems are designed to move solar panels according to the movements of the sun. These systems can be designed to track in single axis (SA) or dual axes (DA). Single-axis tracking systems generally rotate on a horizontal axis, adapting to the movement of the sun from east to west. These systems ensure that the panels remain at a favourable angle with the sun throughout the day. In the studies in the literature, it is stated that designs that follow the sun on a single axis provide an average of 25%-30% additional energy production compared to fixed systems. It is also stated that dual axis tracking systems provide additional energy production between 10%-15% compared to single axis tracking systems. It is stated that tracking systems are costly and require maintenance, so tracking systems should be as simple as possible. Dual-axis tracking systems include panels that can rotate in both horizontal and vertical axes. This provides greater efficiency in situations where the sun moves both horizontally and vertically. In solar tracking systems, light-sensitive sensors called LDRs are used to track the sun, as well as algorithms created only depending on the instantaneous position of the sun in the sky. The most widely used system in solar tracking systems in the art is to control the motor that moves the panel by evaluating the signals received from the photosensors placed at the ends of the photovoltaic (PV) panel with various control systems. In addition, the technique also includes sun tracking by means of certain algorithms using the sun position angle instead of sensors. In the studies in the literature, stepper motor, AC motor, servo motor, DC motors with linear actuators or gearboxes are most commonly used to move the panel. These motors directly provide the movement of the panel. These solar tracking systems are complex structures. These systems require both high installation costs compared to fixed panels and maintenance costs. US2013025583A1 discloses a solar panel tracking system. When the existing studies in the technique were examined, it was necessary to develop a hydroelectronic daylight tracking system utilising the buoyancy of water for solar panels. Objectives of the Invention The object of the present invention is to develop a hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for solar panels which utilises the buoyancy of water. Another object of the present invention is to develop a hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for increasing the efficiency of solar panels to be used for garden irrigation and for supplying electricity to household appliances, especially in rural areas where access to electricity is not possible. Detailed Description of the Invention The hydroelectronic daylight tracking system realised to achieve the object of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures. Figures; Figure 1: A schematic view of the main solar angles coming to the Earth. Figure 2: Schematic view of derived sun angles. Figure 3: Schematic view of the inventive system. Figure 4: A schematic view of the inventive system in a different position. Figure 5: Schematic view of the change of the water level during the movement of the panel in the inventive system. Figure 6: A schematic view of the mathematical expressions used in the calculations related to the inventive system. Figure 7a: Schematic view of the position of the inventive system at sunrise. Figure 7b: Schematic view of the position of the inventive system when the sun is overhead. Figure 8: Schematic view of the position of the inventive system at sunset. The parts in the figures are numbered one by one and the equivalents of these numbers are given below. 1. Water tank I 2. Water tank II 3. Body 4. Rotating rod 5. Pushing rod 6. Buoy 7. Guide 8. Water pump I 9. Water pump II 10. Control unit 11. Pin A hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for solar panels utilising the buoyancy of water, it comprises, - water tank I (1), which ensures continuous circulation of water and is used as a storage reservoir, - water tank II (2) connected to water tank I (1) and containing the water required for moving the solar panel, - the housing (3) located in the water tank II (2), - rotation arm (4) fixed on the housing (3) with the solar panel on it, - rail (7) fixed on the body (3), - push lever (5) connected to the rotation lever (4) and moving on the rail (7) to move the rotation lever (4), - buoy (6) connected to the rail (7) on the body (3) by a shaft and moving upwards as the water level rises with the float logic, - water pump I (8), located in the water tank II (2), used to start and stop the first flow of water, - water pump II (9) located at the bottom of the water tank I (1) and transporting the water in the reservoir to the water tank II (2), - the control unit (10) which ensures that the water in the water tank I (1) is transported to the water tank II (2) by means of the water pump II (9) located at the bottom of the same reservoir within the framework of a certain algorithm. Most of the available energy coming from the sun to the earth's surface is in the region between 45onorth and 45osouth latitudes, including Türkiye, which is called the sun belt of the world. According to the measurements made, it is possible to benefit from solar energy for 10 months in 63% of Türkiye and for 1 year in 17% of Türkiye.[1]According to the Solar Energy Potential Atlas of Türkiye (GEPA), the average annual total sunshine duration in Türkiye is 2,741 hours and the average annual total radiation value is calculated as 1,527.46 kWh / m2.[2]Since Türkiye is located in the north, the fixed solar panels installed in Türkiye face south. The geographical location of the region and the seasons are the main components that help to decide how much angle the fixed solar panels should have with the horizontal. The amount of solar energy collected in solar panels varies according to the angle at which the sun's rays fall on the solar panel (tilt angle), the time of day and year, the location of the solar panels, location and weather conditions. In order to obtain maximum efficiency from solar panels, the angle of the solar panels with the horizontal is very important. There are many parameters affecting the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. The most important of these are shading, dusting, reflection, radiation, temperature, wind and incompatibility. In determining the tilt angle of the solar panel, it is revealed that the optimum collector tilt angle (βopt) values are between 45-60° and these values vary according to the latitude value of the region.[3]Duffie and Beckman[4], Heywood[5]and Doğan[6]reported that βopt = (ϕ ± 15°), that is, it is recommended to place the solar panel at an angle equal to the latitude of the location for year-round use, at an angle 150 less than the latitude of the location for the summer season only, and at an angle 150 more than the latitude of the location for the winter season only. Benghanem (2011) found the annual optimum tilt angle to be approximately equal to the latitude of the location.[7]In the literature review, it is stated that the slope angle that provides maximum efficiency in Türkiye is between 1 and 65 degrees depending on the location and time.[8]In order to increase the energy to be produced from solar panels, systems that follow the sun during the day by moving in single or double axis are made. Single axis solar tracking system is easier to design and more useful than dual axis systems.[9]Dual axis systems are difficult and costly to implement. It is quite superior in terms of electrical performance but difficult and costly to implement. In dual axis tracking systems, the daily movement of the sun can be designed automatically, seasonal movement can be designed manually, or both can be designed automatically. Sun tracking is done either by tracking the position of the sun in the sky within an algorithm or by means of photosensitive resistance sensors called LDR. In literature reviews, it has been observed that single axis solar tracking system provides 25- 30% electricity generation increase compared to fixed system,

[0010] while dual axis solar tracking system provides 30-40% more electricity generation increase compared to fixed system.

[0011] The energy coming out of the atmosphere through radiation from the sun is between 1300 and 1400 W / m2. This energy coming from the sun to the earth is variable due to the elliptical orbit of the earth around the sun. While the amount of radiation reaching the atmosphere on 3 January, when the distance between the Earth and the sun is minimum, is 1412 W / m2, the amount of radiation reaching the atmosphere on 4 July, when the distance is maximum, is 1322 W / m2.

[0012] The Earth has two different orbits, its own and the Sun's axis. On Earth, the most important features of solar radiation are determined by the rotation of the Earth around its own axis and its elliptical orbit around the Sun. Certain angles are formed between the rays reaching the earth from the sun and the surfaces on the earth. In order to make maximum use of solar energy, it is necessary to know the solar angles. In Figure 1, there are latitude angle (ϕ), hour angle (ω) and solar declination angle (^^) whose positions on the globe are shown as representative.

[0013] Latitude Angle : It is the angle that the line connecting any point on the earth's surface to the earth's centre makes with the earth's equatorial plane. It takes values from 0° to +90° as you go north from the equator, while it takes values from 0° to -90° as you go south from the equator. The angle of latitude is shown with the symbol ^^. Hour Angle (ω): Converts local solar time (LST) to the number of degrees the sun moves across the sky. By definition, the Hour Angle is 0° at solar noon. Since the Earth rotates 15° per hour, each hour of solar noon corresponds to 15° of angular movement of the sun in the sky. In the morning the hour angle is negative, in the afternoon the hour angle is positive. The hour angle is calculated with equation I. (Local time must be used to calculate the sundial angle.) At solar noon, the sundial is (GS)12. ω = 15 x (GS-12) (Equation I) Declination Angle (^^): It is defined as the angle made by the sun's rays with the equatorial plane. The declination angle is formed depending on the angle of 23º27 with the earth's orbital plane. It is indicated by the symbol ^^. The declination angle is calculated by equation II. 360(284+^^) ^^ = 23.45 sin( 365 ) (Equation II) Here, ^^ denotes the relevant day of the year and 1 January is considered as the beginning (^^ = 1). Derived Sun Angles: There are angles derived as a function of the three basic solar angles. There are zenith angle, elevation angle and solar azimuth angle (γ), which are used in the radiation calculations to the horizontal surface and shown in Figure 2. Zenith Angle: The zenith angle is the angle formed between the sun's rays directly on the earth- sun axis and the normal of the horizontal surface. While the zenith angle is 90º at sunrise and sunset, it is 0º when the rays are perpendicular to the earth. The zenith angle can be calculated with the help of Equation III and Equation IV based on the basic solar angles with the following expressions. cos θz =cos ^^ x cos θz cos ω +sin^^ sinθz (Equation III) The zenith angle θ = 90o, and if it is substituted in Equation II, the sunset angle ωs, can be determined as ωs =cos-1(-tan^^ tan θz) (Equation IV) Sun Elevation Angle (α): It is the angle formed between the sun's direct solar radiation and the local horizontal surface at any given moment. It is expressed by the symbol α. This angle takes its highest value at noon in all seasons. The elevation angle completes the zenith angle to 90°. The elevation angle can be calculated with equation V. α = 90 – θz(Equation V) Sun azimuth angle (^^^^): It is the angle made by the projection of the sun-earth direction on the horizontal surface with the north-south direction. It is expressed by the symbol γ^^ and is calculated by Equation VI. The value calculated in this equation is multiplied by +1 when the sun hour angle (ω) is positive and by -1 when it is negative and the solar azimuth angle is calculated. ^^^^ = sgn (Equation VI) In the inventive system, two stacked water tanks are used. The lower water tank I (1) is positioned for continuous circulation of water and acts as a storage tank. The upper water tank II (2) is the panel where the water level is controlled to move the solar panel. Minimal energy consumption is realised by using the natural flow of water (pressure difference) to drain the water from tank II (2) to tank I (1). Only the water pump I (8), which is located inside the water tank II (2), operates for a short period of 5 s to start the initial flow of water and to stop the flow of water completely. This gives the design an advantage in terms of electricity consumption. The water in the water tank I (1) is transported to the water tank II (2) by means of the water pump II (9) located at the bottom of the same tank according to a certain algorithm. In the water tank II (2), there is a cylindrical buoy (6) with a very small mass compared to the mass of the water. This buoy (6) moves upwards as the water level rises with the same float logic found in toilet reservoirs. In order to move the panel with this movement of the buoy (6), the buoy (6) is connected to a movable guide (7) with a shaft passing through its centre. A maximum lifting force proportional to the volume of the buoy (6) is generated on the buoy (6) used in the system. Considering this force on the buoy (6), the moment calculation was made according to the rotation point on the part where the panel is placed and the equilibrium situation was ensured. As the water level increases, the buoy (6) will move upwards with the rise of the water level. Therefore, together with the buoy (6), the guide (7) connected to the buoy (6) will move upwards. As the water level increases, the movement of the solar panel from east to west will be completed. If we accept the angle of 0 degrees when the sun rises and 180 degrees when it sets, the inventive system operates between 20 and 160 degrees. In time periods when the panel cannot be moved, even if the instantaneous position of the panel changes in possible external effects such as strong wind, it comes back to its original position (due to moment) without the need for any software etc. However, different solutions should be investigated against wind load. Calculation of Water Quantity and Water Level in Water Tank II (2) during Solar Tracking Calculations have been made for the critical points of sunrise, sunset and the moments when the sun is at its peak, and the calculations for other intervals are made in the computer environment and the results are shared in a table. The equivalents of the symbols specified in the equations are given below. Fk= Buoyancy force on buoy (6) Gbuoy= Weight of buoy (6) Gguide= Weight of guide (7) (moving part only) Fpushing rod= Force (Fcb) on the pushing rod (5) Fs-guide= Friction force on guide (7) Gsolar panel= Weight of the pins of the solar panel Gpushing rod= Weight of the pushing rod (5) Gconnection pins-1= Weight of pins (11) between guide (7) and pushing rod (5) connections Gconnection pins-2= Weight of the pins (11) between the rotating rod (4) and pushing rod (5) connections Grotating rod= Weight of the pins (11) between the rotating rod (4) and pushing rod (5) connections Vbuoy = Volume of buoy (6) (12600 cm3) (Vb) Dbuoy = Core mass of buoy (6) (0,017 gr / cm3) Gbuoy=214 gr (Gcb) Gguide=300 gr Gsolar panel=4200 gr Gconnection pins=80 gr Grotating rod=800 gr Fs-guide= It has been neglected. L1=Distance of the centre of gravity on the rotating rod (4) (total weight of the rotating rod (4) and the components connected to it) from the moving point that allows the panel to move L2=Distance of the pushing rod (5) to the moving point that allows the panel to move Calculation of Water Quantity and Water Level in Water Tank II (2) at Initial Position When the solution is performed in the computer environment by taking the initialisation angle values β=160oand α=149,19oin Equations VII and VIII below, the lifting force acting on buoy (6) is found as Fk =127,85 N. The β angle varies between 160oand 20oduring the movement of the solar panel. The angle α varies between 149.19oand 9.41oduring the movement of the solar panel. G x sin(β) x L1= Gcbx sin(α) x L2+Fcbx sin(α) x L2(Equation VII) G=(Grotating rod+ Gsolar panel +Gconnection pins-2) Fcb=(FK- Gguide – Gbuoy) x sin(180- α- β) (Equation VIII) The Fkvalue is the lifting force value formed on the buoy (6), which balances the weight of the panel and components, for the panel to start moving. In order to change the initial position of the panel, the weight of the panel and components must be balanced by the buoyancy force on the buoy (6). For this purpose, the water tank II (2) must be filled with water up to the level h1. The lifting force Fk on the buoy (6) is expressed by equation IX. Fk=Vbx d x g (Equation IX) Vb= Submerged volume of buoy (6) g= Gravitational acceleration 127,85= Vb x d x g h1=20,18 cm The amount of kater in the cylinder container filled with water up to the height h1 is calculated by equation X. Vh1= ^^^^2ℎ1- π x rbuoy2x hrbuoy(Equation X) h1 = the initial water level in water tank II (2) (water tank II (2) must be filled with water to level h1 before the panel starts to move). Rbuoy= radius of the cylindrical buoy (6) hbuoy= height of the submerged part of the buoy (6) Vh1=14,3 lt With a pump with a label rating of 240 l / h, 18.3 litres of water can be transferred to water tank II (2) in approx.4 minutes and 30 seconds. Calculation of the Water Amount and Water Level in Water Tank II (2) when the Panel is Parallel to the Ground on the East-West Axis Utilising Figure 7; hr-t=40,34+21,14-34,27=27,21 cm. To bring the water level from level r to level t, the amount of water in tank II (2) is calculated by equation XI. Vhrt= ^^^^2ℎrt- π x rbuoy2x hrtbuoy (Equation XI) Vhrt=28,7 lt Rbuoy= Radius of the cylindrical buoy (6) hrt-buoy= Height of the submerged part of the buoy (6) (when the panel is parallel to the ground on the east-west axis) hrt= Water height in water tank II (2) from the initial position of the panel until the panel is horizontal on the east-west axis hts-buoy= Height of the submerged part of the buoy (6) (during the position of the panel at sunset) hts= Water height in water tank II (2) from the horizontal position of the panel on the east-west axis (at noon) until sunset With a pump with a label rating of 240 l / h, 28.7 litres of water can be transferred to water tank II (2) in approx.7 minutes and 17 seconds. Calculation of the amount of water and water level in tank II (2) at sunset To bring the water level from level t to level s, the amount of water in tank II (2) is calculated by equation XII. ht-s=34,27-(40,34-21,14)=15,07 cm Vh_ts= ^^^^2ℎ - π x rbuoy2x htsbuoy(Equation XII) Vh_ts=13,6 lt With a pump with a label rating of 240 l / h, 13.6 litres of water can be transferred to water tank II (2) in approx.3 minutes 24 seconds. Calculation of the water level in water tank II (2) for different angular values between sunrise and sunset The change in the water level during the movement of the panel in the east-west direction at different angular values was calculated and the values are given in a table below. Table 1: Water level and buoyancy in water tank II (2) at different angular values According to measured values in stationary and mobile systems for different weather conditions: On a sunny day, the mobile system reached the highest production value from the early morning and continued to produce the highest value until the early evening. On a cloudy overcast day, the production curves of the systems showed similar characteristics. On a sunny day, it was found that the mobile system produced 33% more electricity than the stationary system. The annual electricity consumption of the units moving the system is calculated as 0.7 kWh. The annual electricity production of 25 watt panel is estimated as 54 kWh. By using this method in solar panels used near water sources in rural areas, more electricity can be generated with the buoyancy of water. Less energy is consumed in moving the panel compared to other methods in the literature. The system can operate as closed and open cycle in terms of water utilisation. In this design, unlike other studies, as the panel weights increase, that is, as the systems grow, the power of the water pump to be used does not need to change proportionally and this means less energy consumption. In the studies carried out in the literature, all of the weights in the panel and the parts moving with the movement of the panel must be covered by the engine and its components. In the inventive system, the load / weight in the movement of the panel is met by the buoyancy of the water, not by the engine. It is predicted that this system, in which the panel is moved by the buoyancy of the water, will require less mechanical maintenance and minimise motor-related malfunctions. References: [1] Çakmanus, İ. (2001) Türkiye’nin enerji problemleri ve çözüm önerileri, Mühendis ve Makine, 492, 29-34. [2] https: / / enerji.gov.tr / eigm-yenilenebilir-enerji-kaynaklar-gunes [3] Güngör, A., Koçer, A., Demirci, E. (2013) Güneş enerjisi kullanımında optimum tilt açısının önemi, 6. Güneş Enerjisi Sistemleri Sempozyumu ve Sergisi, 6-7 Aralık 2013, Mersin. [4] Duffie, JA., Beckman, WA. (1982) Solar engineering of thermal processes, New York: Wiley. [5] Heywood, H. (1971) Operational experience with solar water heating, J Inst Heat Vent Energy, 39, 63–9. [6] Doğan, İ. (1995) Optimum tilt angle for solar collectors used in Cyprus, Renewable Energy, 6-7, 813-819, doi:10.1016 / 0960-1481(95)00070-Z [7] Benghanem, M. (2011) Optimization of tilt angle for solar panel: case study for Madinah, Saudi Arabia, Applied Energy, 88(4), 1427–33, doi:10.1016 / j.apenergy.2010.10.001 [8] Bakırcı K. (2012) General models for optimum tilt angles of solar panels: Turkey case study Renewable andSustainableEnergyReviews16(2012)6149–6159 [9] Tırmıkçı,C.A İki Eksen Güneş İzleyen Hareketli Güneş Sistemi Ve En Uygun Yıllık Eğim Açısı İle Konumlandırılmış Sabit Güneş Sisteminin Gerçek Zaman Karşılaştırması,Sakarya Üniversitesi Doktora Tezi (2018)

[0010] Sitompul, D.K.H, OyasW. Cahyadi A.:Single-Axis Solar Tracker for Solar Panel with Power and Cost Analysis. 2021 International Conference on Advanced Mechatronics, Intelligent Manufacture and Industrial Automation (ICAMIMIA)

[0011] Vătăşescu M.M., Diaconescu D. Clean Energy Response Of Pv Systems Wıth Azımuth And Pseudo-Equatorıal Trackıng, Environmental Engineering and Management Journal September 2011, Vol.10, No.9, 1395-1406

[0012] Sidek, M.H.M. Azis,N., Hasan.W,Z,W , Ab Kadir M.Z.A., Shafie S. , Radzi. M.A.M. Automated positioning dual-axis solar tracking system with precision elevation and azimuth angle control Energy 124 (2017) 160-170

[0013] Küçüktekin.M, Konya-Beyşehir’de Yatay Yüzeye Gelen Aylık Ortalama Günlük Toplam Güneş Işınımı Tahmini İçin Uygun Model Belirleme Ve Yeni Model Çalışması, Konya Teknik Üniversitesi Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü (2022)26

[0014] Taze, G., 2010, “Düz Güneş Kollektörü Verimini Etkileyen Bazı Parametrelerin Deneysel İncelenmesi” Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Makine Mühendisliği Anabilim Dalı

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A hydroelectronic daylight tracking system for solar panels utilising the buoyancy of water, characterized in that, it comprises, - water tank I (1), which ensures continuous circulation of water and is used as a storage reservoir, - water tank II (2) connected to water tank I (1) and containing the water required for moving the solar panel, - the housing (3) located in the water tank II (2), - rotation arm (4) fixed on the housing (3) with the solar panel on it, - rail (7) fixed on the body (3), - push lever (5) connected to the rotation lever (4) and moving on the rail (7) to move the rotation lever (4), - buoy (6) connected to the rail (7) on the body (3) by a shaft and moving upwards as the water level rises with the float logic, - water pump II (9) located at the bottom of the water tank I (1) and transporting the water in the reservoir to the water tank II (2), - the control unit (10) which ensures that the water in the water reservoir I (1) is transported to the water tank II (2) by means of the water pump II (9) located at the bottom of the same reservoir within the framework of a certain algorithm.

2. A hydroelectronic daylight tracking system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a water pump I (8) located in a water tank II (2) for starting and stopping the first flow of water.

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