Automação Para Uma Usina Solar Tipo Tracker de Um Eixo

Abstract

Electricity generation via photovoltaic systems which harness incident solar radiation on solar cells to produce electricity is expanding in Brazil. This growth is largely due to the country's location in the intertropical zone, where solar irradiation levels exceed those of European nations such as Spain, Germany, and France. The use of photovoltaic generation systems is also increasing in agricultural areas; many producers are shifting toward net metering or selling electricity to utility companies by installing solar power plants on their properties. However, electricity generation efficiency is limited by the capacity of individual photovoltaic modules, as the installations are fixed while the sun’s position shifts throughout the day. This study developed an automated tracking system specifically a single-axis Tracker to follow the sun's position. A comparison was conducted between the fixed system and the operating Tracker system; the results showed a cumulative generation advantage of R$ 296,091.43 over a 25-year period in favor of the Tracker-based plant. Based on these findings, the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was determined to be R$ 361.07, and the discounted payback period for the investment was calculated at six years.