Sun Tracker Systems Effects on Flat Plate Photovoltaic PV Systems Performance for Different Sky States: A Case of an Arid and Hot Climate

This work aims at determining the most appropriate sun tracking system. The effect of using different types of sun tracking systems on the flat plate photovoltaic system performance for different sky states has been investigated. Several days representing different seasons have been considered. The corresponding main parameters affecting the amount of the electrical energy output and the gains have then been compared to those experienced with two traditional fixed photovoltaic systems inclined according to a yearly and a seasonal optimum slope. Additionally, five configurations of sun tracking systems have been considered while a seasonal and a yearly optimum slope have been applied to those based on rotating axes systems. Hourly data collected over thirty one days for different seasonal sky conditions have been employed. The daily collected global solar radiation and produced electrical energy as well as the electrical gains related to the different moving panels have been quantified separately for each sky state. It is found that for a completely clear day, the highest obtained gains are those related to the two-axis sun tracker systems while the day length is the main parameter affecting these gains. On the other hand, for the partially clear days, the gain amounts mainly depend on the daily clarity level factors and on the seasonal variation of day length values. For a cloudy day, however, all considered systems produced the same electrical energy. Furthermore, the horizontal position of the photovoltaic panel presented the best performance