Developing a multipurpose sun tracking system using fuzzy control

The present work demonstrates the design and simulation of time controlled step sun tracking Systems that include: one axis sun tracking with the tilted aperture equal to the latitude angle. equatorial two axis sun tracking and azimuth/elevation sun tracking. The first order Sugeno fuzzy inference system is utilized for modeling and controller design. In addition, an estimation of the insolation incident on a two axis sun tracking system is determined by fuzzy IF-THEN rules. The approach starts by generating the input/output data. Then, the subtractive clustering algorithm, along with least square estimation (LSE), generates the fuzzy rules that describe the relationship between the input/output data of solar angles that change with time. The fuzzy rules are tuned by an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). Finally, an open loop control system is designed for each of the previous types of sun tracking systems. The results are shown using simulation and virtual reality. The site of application is chosen at Amman. Jordan (32degrees North. 36degrees East), and the period of controlling and simulating each type of tracking system is the year 2003. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.