LECTURE 12

24- 9 -2020
ER
A ME
DI F T H
T

O RT H
E
Non
EA 2 Km
1 27 4
conventional
energy sources
Contents
Solar radiation geometry

Declination δ
Hour angle ω
Solar azimuth angle Ys
Altitude angle α( solar altitude )
Zenith angle Θ z

Surface azimuth h angel (Y)

Slope (s)
Solar radiation on tilted surface
Traching mechanism
Sun and Earth
angles
  Where, θz = is Zenith angle,
α= solar altitude (is Zero at sunrise &sunset),
α + θz = 90º.
γsun= solar Azimuth angle.

Solar declination – the angle that sun’s rays

makes with the equatorial plane.

4
Where, n = no. of days of the year (1≤n≤365).
Its maximum value is 23.45º on 21 December & the
minimum value is –23.45º on 21June

5
The main mechanism of the solar tracking system consists of the
Tracking device,
Tracking algorithm,
Control unit,
Positioning system,
Driving mechanism,
Sensing devices.

The tracking algorithm determines the angles which are used to determine the position of solar
tracker. There are two types of algorithms
Astronomical algorithms and
Real time light intensity algorithms.
The astronomical algorithm is a purely mathematical algorithm
based on astronomical references.
The real-time light intensity algorithm is based on real-time light intensity readings.

6
The control unit performs the tracking algorithm and manages the positioning system and
the driving mechanism.

The positioning system operates the tracking device to face the sun at the calculated angles.
The positioning system can be electrical or Hydraulic.

The driving mechanism is responsible for moving the tracking device to the position
determined by the positioning system.

The sensing devices are group of sensors and measurements that measure the ambient
conditions, the light intensity in case of real-time light intensity algorithms, and the tilt angle
of the tracker (by means of an inclinometer or a combination of limit switches and motor
encoder counts)

7
Solar Angles [Animated] - Angle of Latitude- Zenith Angle-Azimuth Angle-Tilt & Inclination[English].mp4

8
Non-conventional energy sources
ASSIGNMENT 1
Answer all the questions Issue Date: 24 Sep 2020
Date of submission: 27Sep 2020
•Discuss the scientific principles of renewable energy?
•What are the technical implications associated with the usage of renewable energy?
•What are the prospects of non- conventional energy sources in India? Explain.
•Explain about terrestrial and extra-terrestrial solar radiation.
•What are the instruments used for measuring solar radiation?