Sun-tracking system with plc control for photo-voltaic panels

In this study, the electromechanical control system of a photovoltaic (PV) panel tracking the sun on the axis it moves along according to its azimuthal angle was designed and implemented. In this system, Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) were used instead of photo-sensors, which are widely used for tracking the sun. The azimuthal angle of the sun from sunrise to sunset times was calculated for each day of the year at 37.6 degrees latitude in the Northern hemisphere, the location of the city where the experiment was conducted. According to this azimuth angle, the required analog signal was taken from the PLC analog module and sent to the actuator motor, which controlled the position of the panel to ensure that the rays fall vertically on the panel. After the mechanical control system of the system was started, the performance measurements of the solar panel were carried out. For this, the necessary measurements were implemented when the solar panel was in a fixed position. Afterwards, the panel was moved on a single axis according to the azimuthal angle and the necessary measurements were performed. The values obtained from the measurements were compared and the necessary evaluations were conducted.