Estudio energético en sistemas fotovoltaicos empleando seguimiento solar en regiones ecuatoriales.

Abstract

The present work aims to perform a quantitative analysis of the energy gain in photovoltaic systems that implement solar tracking located in equatorial regions. After an extensive bibliographic review, it was determined that solar tracking systems represent an energy gain of 15% to 55% in the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. Studies are being conducted to test how this relates to latitudes close to the equator line. The numerical study presented below presents three configurations of panels, a static arrangement and two systems that include one and two axes tracking, using “System Advisor Model-SAM” software package as a simulation tool. Results generated by the models that implement solar tracking, show an increase in the energy gain that exceeds 27% and based in this information different tracking strategies to maximize the energy gain were proposed based on meteorological conditions and the hours of greater benefit. This analysis was necessary since implementing solar tracking system does not guarantee an increase in energy production all the time. As a final part of this project an impact study of shadows was developed to analyze the reduction of efficiency in photovoltaic systems. Three elements capable of generating shadows were studied. Firstly, shadows produced by objects close to the array of panels were analyzed, which can reduce the solar gain of the system by up to 30% depending on the elevation angle relative to the array of panels. Secondly, shadows produced by nearby panels can represent 35% of energy loss by not placing them at a prudential distance. Finally, the decrease of the incident radiation due to the horizon produced by natural obstacles like mountains around Quito, Ecuador, is lower than 3% decrease of the electric energy produced.