**3.2 Dual axis solar tracker**

 **Figure 1** shows the dual axis tracking system which is uniquely designed on sensor based technology avoiding the need for manual programming from time to time. It can generate a maximum of 1.5 kW of electrical power through 20 multi crystalline solar panels of 75 W generation capacity each. The maximum power generated/day was approximately 6 kW out of which only 5 W was consumed by the tracker for automatic tracking mechanism. It was observed that there were maximum 3400 horizontal rotation and 700 vertical tilting of tracker. As the maximum base capacity of the tracker was of 3 kW, extra 20 panels each of capacity 75 W can be attached to double the power generation. The batteries connected in circuit stores the excess power which can be utilized during non-solar conditions. To study the increase of power generated in tracking mode, the test was repeated in fixed mode and tracking mode.

 Initially, the tracker was tested in fixed position at the latitude angle of 22°E at Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India. To study the increase of power generated in tracking mode, the test was repeated in tracking mode. **Figure 2** show fixing the angle of solar tracker with angle finder. **Figure 3** shows the junction box which is an essential part connected at the back of the solar module. There were two bypass diodes for 36 series connected cell in PV module. For calculation of efficiency of the PV module, both output power and input power were measured. The output power can be calculated by measuring voltage and current by voltmeter and ammeter respectively. The rated power of the multi crystalline SiN module is 75 W. Module efficiency is 11.6% which is less than the cell

**Figure 1.**  *Dual axis solar tracker.* 

*Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Innovations in Automation...* 

**Figure 3.**  *Junction box.* 

efficiency 13.2%. This reduction of efficiency is due to deposition of unequal solar cells in module.
