Development of solar tracker for low-cost Offset parabolic thermal concentrator

Abstract

The interest in exploiting solar energy has been steadily increasing as the world is aiming at sustainability. This work focused on making better use of solar energy through the manufacturing of a low-cost mechanism for solar tracking, with both horizontal and vertical rotating axes, to be coupled to a parabolic solar concentrator. For the electronic parts, it was employed a microcontroller Arduino UNO, power window regulator motors, a photoresistor sensor, a IBT-2 H-bridge, and a micro switch. On the other hand, the mechanical parts of the solar tracking system were fabricated using a 3D printer. Besides, this project introduced new concepts regarding the mechanical parts, which are not discussed in the literature of solar tracking systems, such as radial and straight oblong holes as well as the axial increase in the height of the motors. As a final result, we obtained an optimized setup for a parabolic solar concentrator equipped with a solar tracking system useful for water heating, which combines better efficiency in energy conversion with an affordable cost for needy people.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/interdiinovationscrese-021