Pseudo-Azimuthal Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Technique Using the Hourly Method for Photovoltaic Modules

New technologies to increase the performance of photovoltaic modules are a promising alternative to meet the growing demands for electric energy and the worldwide concern with polluting sources of energy generation. In this sense, several studies focus on extracting the maximum generation of photovoltaic modules with the integration of new installation and manufacturing technologies. Solar tracking is one of the technologies used to increase energy production by PV modules. This technique aims to keep the PV modules perpendicular to the sun’s rays, increasing the incident solar radiation. Currently, solar tracking has several classifications, methodologies and topologies. Particularly, in this article it is evaluated the active, temporal (timetable) solar tracking with a non-azimuthal topology. An equation is presented to define the solar trajectory with the proper mathematical conversion of angles for the pseudo-azimuthal tracker. Based on this model, it is simulated the annual scanning of angles to track the sun position for an experimental non-azimuthal photovoltaic plant. Details of the used control and automation methodologies of this plant are presented using both direct current and induction motors to move the photovoltaic modules. The positioning error of this tracker is close to 0.4° with respect to the reference, which is characterized by a reduced energy consumption (0.2%) with an appreciable increase to generate electrical energy by photovoltaic modules (54.9%) under some well-defined test conditions.