2015 International Conference on Energy Systems and Applications (ICESA 2015)

Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Engineering and Technology, Pune, India 30 Oct - 01 Nov, 2015

Motorless Solar Tracking System

Prabhakar R. Holambe
Electrical Engineering Dept.
College Of Engineering Pune
Pune, Maharashtra 411005
Email: holambepr13.elec@coep.ac.in
Prof. D. B. Talange
Electrical Engineering Dept.
College Of Engineering Pune
Pune, Maharashtra 411005
Email: dbt.elec@coep.ac.in
Assistant Prof. V. B. Bhole
College Of Engineering Pune
Pune, Maharashtra 411005
Email: vbb.elec@coep.ac.in

Abstract—Sun tracking system is used for ef¿ciency improve-

ment. To solve problems that presents in existing solar-tracking
system such as it cannot work without electricity, this report puts
forward an automatic sun tracker driven by differential pressure
Controlled system. Main work of this system is to collect the
maximum solar energy and convert it into electricity. Due to
gravity it turns the tracker, solar ray is used to heat canister to
move liquid from one side to the other side in the container to
reliably track the suns path from east to west. There is no motor,
no gears and no controls to fail. The present system provides
apparatus for tracking the sun which reorients itself immediately
in the absence of sunlight. Large and small canisters are provided
at the respective ends of a pivot-able frame. When the sun is not
normal to the plane containing the canister, the near canister
is shaded from direct sunlight and the far canister is exposed.
A conduit is provided between the canisters, and a quantity of
volatile Àuid is located in the canister and conduit. The liquid
volume of the volatile Àuid is greater than that of the small
canister plus the conduit, but less than the volume of the large
canister. A gas spring Àuid is located in the large canister, which
has a vapor pressure suf¿cient to force the volatile Àuid into the Fig. 1. Zomeworks Tracker model [3]
small canister in the absence of sunlight on the east canister.
I. I NTRODUCTION
Solar energy, the most abundant and Eco-friendly resources
of energy is still at its initial stage of development as a
potential source of energy to meet our increasing need of
energy. A photo-voltaic system converts the radiant thermal
energy of sun into electricity by means of photoelectric effect
however, such a system has very less ef¿ciency. Solar tracker
controls motion of solar panel that actually follows the Sun to
increase the power output. In present market active tracking
system uses an electrically driven stepper motor, the power
required to drive tracker comes from the electricity produces
by the solar array [1]. This leads to a net decrease in the energy
output of solar array. Moreover, stepper motor driven active Fig. 2. Design of solar tracker [4]
tracking system requires electronic controls, which increase
the complexity and cost of the system. A sunÀower slowly
rotate from east to west over the course of a sunny day, each
leaf seeking out as much sunlight as possible as the sun moves the lower ends of the canisters with Cu tube. A shadow bar
across the sky through an adaptation called heliotropism. It is covers the outer half of each canister to shade the near canister
a clever bit of natural engineering [2]. from direct sunlight when the sun is not directly above the
collector surface [4]. A volatile Àuid and its vapor is ¿lled in
II. S YSTEM AVAILABLE IN MARKET the canisters, and as the sun moves from east to west, the east
Zomework has been a leading company in design of passive canister is heated more as compare to west canister, it forces
solar energy products since 1969. The basic ideology of a the volatile Àuid into the west canister, tilting the frame toward
passive solar tracker employs a pivotal frame. This system west to follow the sun. The frame is balanced when sunlight
consists of canister at each end which are interconnected at equal. [4].

978-1-4673-6817-9/15/$31.00 ©2015 IEEE 358


Fig. 3. Working Mechanism of passive solar tracker
A. Working of the Model
Zomeworks System available in market starts with the day
facing toward west. As the sunrises in the east, it heats the
unshaded west-side canister; it forces moves liquid into the
shaded east-side canister [3]. As liquid moves through a copper
tube to the east-side canister. This leads to mass difference
in two ends, imbalance the tracker rotates so that it faces
toward east [4]. The heating of the liquid is controlled by
the aluminum shadow plates placed at each ends of canister.
When one canister is exposed to the sun more than the other,
its vapor pressure increases, and forcing liquid to the cooler,
shaded side. The shifting weight of the liquid causes the rack
to rotate until the canisters are equally shaded [4]. As the
sun moves, the rack follows (at approximately 150 /hour),
continually look for equilibrium as liquid moves from one
side of the tracker to the other [4]. The rack completes its
daily cycle facing west. It remains in this position over night
until it is ”awakened” by the rising sun the following morning
[4].
B. Advantage
Its ability to track the sun in a totally passive fashion.
C. Problems founds
It starts every day pointing in the wrong direction facing
toward west, losing sight of the sun as it attempts to reposition
itself toward East. It takes time to reorient east so which affects
ef¿ciency of solar tracker
D. Solution offered
1) The canisters are painted different colors or otherwise
provided with different insulation. Because of this the
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Àuid to be forced from the west canister to the east
canister at the end of the day because of differential
heat loss leads to reorient the tracker. However, under
certain environmental conditions, the desired heat loss
will not be achieved, and the tracker will not able to
reorient itself as desired position [?]
2) A separate plate is used on the pivotal axis of the
tracker to reorient it in the morning. This design adds
complexity and beats basic simplicity of system [5].
3) The use of mirrors underlying the east canister to catch
the early morning sun has also been suggested, but
this technique is often defeated by early morning cloud
cover, a common occurrence in certain locations [6].
4) Redesigned passive dual cylinder tracker, using a par-
tially pressurized Àuid. This system will effectively
compare the temperature between two points. A system
of quick return would be useful addition - one way
dampers, springs and eccentrically placed masses have
been considered New Modi¿ed System [6]
III. N EW S YSTEM
The new system has mechanism for reorienting the tracker
which does not add complexity to basic system. In addition
to that system is completely passive and not affected by
environment (Natural) disturbance like cloudy weather, warm
night. This Solar tracker reorient itself to east not only in night
but also other situation such as cloud over, rainy day.
A. Working of the Model
Fig. 4. Modi¿ed Solar Tracker [6]
The early morning con¿guration of the system is shown in
Fig. 4, with east small container essentially ¿lled with volatile
Àuid in its liquid form. Conduit is also ¿lled with the liquid
volatile Àuid, and a small quantity of volatile Àuid is present
in west large canister, because the volume of volatile Àuid in
its liquid form exceeds the volume of east small canister and
conduit. The liquid volume of Àuid is less than the volume of resulting in an overpressure which will force the liquid volatile
west large canister, and more than the east canister volume plus Àuid back through conduit to east canister, as illustrated in Fig.
conduit volume. Typically, the liquid volume will be less than 4. Frame will thus tilt about axis so that it is again pointed to
twice the volume of the east canister, resulting in less liquid the east and is ready for the morning sunrise.
in west canister than east canister, tilting the frame eastward.
The volatile Àuid is preferably R-12 or R-134a. The remaining IV. DATA C OLLECTION AND I NTERPRETATION
volume of west canister not occupied by the volatile Àuid in A. Mechanical Structure Data
its liquid form contains a spring gas such as air, along with 1) Solar panel (YGE 72 CELL): Solar panels are devices
vapor from the volatile Àuid. As the sun rises, west canister is that convert light into electricity. They are sometimes called
initially heated because frame is prevented from tilting fully photo-voltaic which means light-electricity. They are called
to the horizon by the 550 stop. Since east canister is shielded solar after the sun or Sol because the sun is the most powerful
from the early morning sun rays by shadow bar while west source of the light available for use. Solar cells or PV cells
canister is exposed, the vapor pressure in west canister initially works on principle of the photo-voltaic effect to absorb the
rises above that east canister. However, because east canister energy of the sun and cause current to Àow between two
is already ¿lled with liquid volatile Àuid, no Àuid transfer oppositely charge layers. The available solar panel is capable
takes place and the frame remains tilted toward the east. This of generated 300 W powers. As per given speci¿cation by
situation remain until the sun goes past normal to the frame, manufacturer (See Table):
after which the sun’s continued westward movement will result COG:
in more solar heat input to east canister than west canister ,
raising the temperature and thus the vapor pressure in east Xcog = H2 = 980mm
canister . Eventually, the vapor pressure in east canister will Yc og = D
2 = 2495mm
exceed the vapor pressure (and spring gas pressure) in west Zc og = L2 = 20mm
canister, resulting in an expansion of the gas content in east where,
canister and the forcing of liquid volatile Àuid from the east
canister to west canister, This transfer of liquid volatile Àuid cog = center of gravity.
from east canister to west canister continues throughout the Xcog = center of gravity of body along x-axis.
day so that the solar panels on frame remain pointed at the Volume:
sun. In the afternoon, as frame follows the sun, it will reach V = A×L (1)
its westward 550 stop. As the sun continues its movement,
west canister will be increasingly shaded by shadow bar while V=1176cm3
sunlight continues to fall on east canister. The vapor pressure
Mass:
of the volatile Àuid in east canister will continue to rise,
forcing essentially all of the liquid into west canister, as shown M =V ×p
in Fig. 4. A small reservoir is provided at the upper end M=2.7832 kg
of east canister, so that when substantially the entire liquid
where, p= density of material.
portion of the volatile Àuid has been forced into west chamber,
a) Moment of inertia: The moment of inertia, otherwise
a small amount of the volatile Àuid in liquid form will be
known as the angular mass or rotational inertia, of a rigid body
trapped in reservoir. This small amount of liquid volatile Àuid
determines the torque needed for a desired angular acceleration
in reservoir will then vaporize. Since the trapped volatile Àuid
about a rotational axis.
vaporizes last, any foreign gas in east canister is purged from
the east canister and swept into west canister, and bubbles Ix = 14516.25392kg − cm3 (2)
through the liquid to the gas ¿lled space at the high end of
the canister. Foreign gases must be periodically purged from Iy = 5143.33792kg/cm3 (3)
east canister, otherwise a ”gas spring” will result in the east b) Moment of inertia of front Cover glass:
canister, offsetting the gas spring utilized in west canister. At
the end of the day, the system will have con¿guration of Fig. 4, Material: Low iron tempered glass
with east canister occupied solely by vaporized volatile Àuid,
all of the liquid being contained in west canister. The spring Thickness: 4 mm
gas, trapped foreign gases (which act as gas springs), and a
certain amount of vaporized volatile Àuid, will be trapped in
M
the space at the upper end of west canister. After sunset, the p= V = 2507.6 kg/m3
vapor pressure in east canister will reduces because it is no where, p= density of material.
longer heated by direct sunlight, and the vapor pressures of the
volatile Àuid will be the same in east canister and west canister. Ix = 60724.621kg − cm3 (4)
However, the space at the upper end of west canister contains
3
not only vaporized volatile Àuid, but the spring gas as well, Iy = 15337.44kg − cm (5)

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C) Moment of inertia of Silicon layer of solar cells: 7) Conduit (Cu Tube) : The low ends of canister
are connected via conduit. A conduit provides Àuid
Thickness: 1 mm
communication between the two canisters and volume of
P=0.00233
conduit is given by Vc .

Ix = 14109.275kg − cm2 (6)

p=8940
2
Iy = 3563.51kg − cm (7) L=3160 mm
D=7 mm
d) Centroid of Solar Panel:
t=1 mm
Xcog= 980 mm
8) Bearing 6210: Dimension: 50 x 90 x 20
Ycog= 495 mm
Coef¿cient of Rolling Resistance:
Zcog= 34.41 mm with respect bottom (measured from
Crr=0.002 For 1 Bearing
bottom)
Crr=0.004 For 2 Bearings
2) Outer Base Support Frame: Solar panel mounted on this
frame. Frame has bearings which are rota-table, attached to a
B. Mechanical Structure Calculations
rod. Large and small canisters located at the respective ends
of the frame, Total Moment of inertia of composite solar system, we can
¿nd out by adding each M.I of component about rotating axis.
Ix = 14784.565kg − cm2 (8) Total M.I ¿nd out by using parallel axis theorem.
Iy = 5278.87541kg − cm2 (9) IN = IC + M R2 (10)
3) Shock absorber: It moisten rotation of the frame, mini- 1) Total Moment of Inertia of system: :
mizes perturbations due to wind. IT = Isupport + [Ic + M R2 ]Outerf rame
4) Stops: stops are connected such that rotation of frame + [Ic + M R2 ]solarcell + [Ic + M R2 ]Glasscover
relative to the rod is limited to +55 or -55 from a vertical + 4[Ic + M R2 ]T ubejoint
plane. N-Reference axis where panel rotate.
5) Shadow bar: shadow bars extended over respective Ic - M.I of each part axis about passing through centroid.
canister. Shadow bars point inwardly so that the near canister R- Distance between rotating axis and Centroid of body.
shaded more than far canister when sun rays of sun are not
normal to the frame. This results in less sunlight on the near IT = 10.6048Kg − m3 (11)
canister than on the far canister, heating the far canister and
raising the vapor pressure of the volatile liquid therein to a Total Torque to move solar panel:
greater degree than the near canister. Ttorque = Trot + Tf rict (12)
6) Canister or Cylinder: Made up from stainless steel with
black coating color for absorbing maximum heat from sun. We know that rotational torque of system is,
Cylinder ¿lled with volatile Àuid, as pressure is function of
Trot = I × α (13)
temperature, so as temperature changes a pressure difference
exists. Canister located on the east and west end of frame 1
θ = wt + αt2 (14)
members. In present system east canister has smaller volume 2
than west canister, about one-half We know solar panel initially at rest.
a) Large Canister:
Kg
P = MV = 2710 m3 150 for 60 min
M=0.245 kg Therefor, 10 for 4 min
L=700 mm
Initial angular velocity w=0 rad/sec.
D=40 mm
t=1 mm 1 1
θ = w × t + αt2 1 = αt2 Trot = 6.42 ∗ 10 − 6N (15)
inner volume=0.003518 m3 2 2
2) Total M.I about x-axis (length of solar panel): For
b) Small canister:
calculation of friction Torque at Bearing, required to know
the effective value of load axis friction.
L=0.35 m Suppose Bearing, [7]
M=0.120 kg Bearing SKU6210 Radial Ball Bearing
D=40 mm inner diameter=50 mm.
t=1 mm
inner volume=0.001759 m3 Ff rict = Crr × N (16)

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 Ff rict = 0.004 × (28) × (9.8)N
Tf rict = Ff rict × (Radiusof bearing)
Tf rict = 0.027N − m
 × F = 0.13886N
C. Thermodynamic Data
The Zomeworks Company of the liquid based equilibrium
system built their passive solar tracker system uses no
environmental friendly Freon-12 because of its low boiling
point [3]. There is no point in creating system which is
already available in the market, because the current system
can be easily recreated and not gives bene¿t to our society.
Instead choose system and ¿nd out pros and cons of system
and try to overcome these cons available in system. Select
low Boiling point liquid which has same characteristics as
Freon-12 and which is more environmentally friendly liquid
that can be used to move the tracker [8].
Select liquid based on following criterion:
(17) the heat transfer coef¿cient of air and the temperature differ-
ence between the container temperature and the surrounding
temperature. Then, based on the total amount of heat absorbed
(18) and lost, then heat transfer could be determined [10].
(19) Let,1000W/m2 Solar radiation incident on canister,
Solar Radiation = (Radiation losses) +( Convection losses)
(20) However, until the material reaches this equilibrium, the
difference in energy is conducted through the bar.
Conduction = (Solar Radiation) - (Total Losses)
Total Heat= (Heat absorbed by liquid) + (Convection losses)
+ (Radiation losses)
Convection losses: free convection i.e air, gases and dry
vapors (h=10)
Q = mCp T (24)
1000W/m2=10x(0.132)x(10)+0.8(5.67x10-8)x0.132x(314-
204)+Heat absorbed by liquid
Heat absorbed by liquid=598.6761
D. Volatile Àuid

• Boiling Point=−26.30C A quantity of volatile Àuid in the canisters and conduit

having a liquid volume Vf de¿ned by the limits
• Auto ignition Temperature=7700C
(Vs + Vc ) < Vf < Vl (25)
• Critical Temperature=1220C so that suf¿cient solar heating of the small canister relative
to the large canister forces all of the liquid volatile Àuid from
• Solubility In Water=0.11% by weight at250 C the small canister to purge it of any foreign gases; and a
gas spring Àuid in the large canister having a vapor pressure
Considering above criterion, selected one Àuid. Because of suf¿cient to force the volatile Àuid into the small canister in
the nature of this project, the necessary calculations were the absence of sunlight so that the frame tilts toward the small
somewhat dif¿cult to formulate. To simplify the determination canister at nightfall and at other times when sunlight does not
of values, we made several assumptions in the calculations. strike the small canister.
One of the assumptions we made was that the liquid inside the
tracker was already at its boiling point [9]. Additionally, in re- V. S IMULINK MODEL
ality, as the liquid evaporate in the tracker, the pressure would
increase. The thermodynamic values including boiling point,
speci¿c heats, are all functions of pressure and temperature.
Technically, as the pressure would increase, the boiling point
of the mixture would also increase resulting in greater amounts
of energy needed to heat and evaporate the mixture. Thus, it
was also assumed that these values remained constant. Finally,
the thermodynamic values we used were given at Standard
Temperature Pressure (P=1 atm, T=250 C) [10].
P V = nRT (21)
Q = hA(T − T o) (22)
F
P = (23)
A
To determine the amount of energy that could be absorbed, Fig. 5. Overall tracking system block diagrams in Simulink
we said that the sun gave off energy at a rate of 1000W/m2.
change the surface area and the amount of energy absorbed 14 years satellite solar data was taken hourly from year
[10]. To determine the amount of energy lost to the surround- 2000 to year 2014,and the averages in each hour were then
ings, we used the heat transfer equation which accounts for tabulated in excel sheet for one year that is for year 2015.

362
 VI. R ESULT power given by solar tracker during particular time over the
Completed MATLABTM/Simulink model of the ¿xed ¿xed solar panel and optimal solar tracker. The comparison
solar panel, passive solar tracker and optimal solar tracker between the Motor less Solar Tracking System and Active
is simulated at the time 11 am in the morning for the Solar Tracking System shows that it consumes zero energy
date 20/04/2015. This simulink model gives output for from the produced or stored energy and therefore it improves
any date, time, year.From this compared result of three overall ef¿ciency. It can be concluded that Motor less Solar
system, in the form of output current, output voltage, output Tracking System is more ef¿cient than Active Solar Tracking
power as shown in the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. This model also gives, System. Motor less Solar Tracking System is very cheap,
require unskilled worker, easy for maintenance and can be
Incident angle of ¿xed solar panel= −300 placed at hilly areas, remote or dusty to develop heat energy
Incident angle of passive solar Tracker= sun angle=600 or to produce electrical energy for different applications.
panel angle of passive solar Tracker=−300 R EFERENCES
Total solar Radiation from sun=709W/m2 [1] C. Chin, Model-Based Simulation of an Intelligent Microprocessor-
Radiation incident on ¿xed panel=614.8W/m2 Based Standalone Solar Tracking System. INTECH Open Access
Radiation incident on Motor less solar Tracker=704W/m2 Publisher, 2012.
[2] W. Lin, G. Deng, T. Wang, L. Sun, and L. Du, “A self-calibrating sun
tracker based on a differential pressure control system,” in Materials
for Renewable Energy and Environment (ICMREE), 2013 International
Conference on, vol. 2. IEEE, 2014, pp. 450–453.
7
[3] zomework, “www.zomework.com.”
Fixed Panel [4] A. P. N. J. Parmar, A. N. Parmar, and V. S. Gautam, “Passive solar
6 Solar Tracker
tracking system.”
Optimal Tracker
5
[5] W. A. Lynch and Z. M. Salameh, “Simple electro-optically controlled
dual-axis sun tracker.”
Current (A)

4
[6] S. C. Baer, “Gas spring solar tracker,” Oct. 16 1984, uS Patent 4,476,854.
[7] J. Gere, Mechanics of Materials. McGraw-Hill, 2001.
3 [8] R. S. Khurmi, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. S Chand and Co.,
2010.
2 [9] M. White, F., Fluid Mechanics (Fourth Edition). McGraw-Hill, 1999.
[10] R. K. Rajput, Heat and Mass Transfer. S Chand and Co., 2013.
1

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Voltage (V)

Fig. 6. Output Current

250
Fixed Panel
Solar Tracker
200 Optimal Tracker
Power ( W)

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Voltage (V)

Fig. 7. Output Power

VII. C ONCLUSIONS
Mathematical modeling and simulation of an single axis
motor less solar tracker is described with proper results. The
MATLABTM/SimulinkTM model of the ¿xed solar panel,
passive solar tracker and optimal solar tracker is simulated.
Simulated result used to determine the voltage, current and

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