A simple tracking system to monitor solar PV panels

• We designed and constructed a solar tracking system based on light-dependent resistors (LDRs).
• A study was made to determine the optimal angle of LDRs inducing the best precision of the device.
• An experimental system was built to test different values of the angle between LDRs.
• Results showed a good agreement between the experience and the predicted values.
• The obtained results are useful for the design of new trackers based on the use of LDRs.

The solar tracking systems are a center of interest of a big number of researchers from the fifties. The deflection of sun rays on a solar photovoltaic panel can reduce its power output until 50%. For concentrators solar trackers are master parts of the systems.A simple tracking system based on light dependent resistors was locally constructed, tested and optimized. Good agreement was recorded between numerical optimization results and experimental ones. These results are useful for the design and construction of new sun trackers.