Estudo de caso: avaliação de desempenho de painéis fotovoltaicos com seguidor solar em comparação a painéis fotovoltaicos fixos

Abstract

There are several ways to increase energy generation efficiency through photovoltaic panels. This work aims to evaluate and compare the performance of a real photovoltaic system with a solar tracker panel in relation to a conventional system with a fixed panel in the Northwest region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Generation data were collected from each system individually under conditions identical climate and geographic positioning to later make the comparison. The bibliography indicates variations of 14% to 35% gains in similar systems, but, for the most part, in simulation environments. To enable the analysis, two identical photovoltaic panels were used, one installed with the two-axis rotating platform solar tracker and the other installed fixedly, aligned to the North at an angle of 28 degrees. For data collection, an on-grid micro inverter was installed with independent inputs monitoring. After collection, the data was divided into three categories: sunny days, cloudy days and rainy days. Generation performance comparisons were made between the systems in each of these categories and then a general analysis, making an average over the entire period analyzed. Finally, the analysis was redone taking into account the energy consumed by the tracking system during operation, reaching an average gain of over 20% in energy generation over the analyzed period under general conditions, and on sunny days the gain daily average exceeds 25% and on cloudy days it is close to 15%. With these values it becomes possible to find the performance of the tracking system for other regions with different climatic characteristics. With the results it was concluded that the objective of the work was achieved and that for the follower system to become commercially attractive, its sale and maintenance value should not reach 20% of the fixed system. It is suggested that the work be continued to evaluate this impact on financial return with Economic Engineering. Keywords: renewable energy sources, photovoltaic energy, solar tracker, energy yield, electrical energy matrix.