Tracking System for a Parabolic Dish Solar Concentrator: Development and Evaluation

de Sousa, Marco Damasceno, Marques, Adriano da Silva, Almeida, João Pedro Cruz, Silva, Leonardo Pereira de Lucena

ISES Solar World Congress 2025 · Fortaleza, Brazil · 2025-11-03
Published by International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
DOI: 10.18086/swc.2025.06.33

Abstract

This work presents the development and evaluation of a two-axis active solar tracking system applied to a parabolic dish solar concentrator (CSP). The objective was to ensure higher accuracy in aligning the concentrator with the Sun’s position, thereby maximizing the capture of Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI). The system employs paired LDR sensors connected to an Arduino microcontroller, which implements a control algorithm with a function called rampPWM , designed to smooth motor actuation and reduce mechanical stress. The methodology included hourly measurements of DNI and Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), as well as the determination of the Instantaneous Solar Tracking Error (ISTE) using a gnomon. The system was experimentally tested over a period of 10 days. Results indicated that, on clear-sky days, DNI exceeded GHI by up to 64%, while on partly cloudy days the gain was reduced. The maximum ISTE recorded during the tests was 2.86°, demonstrating the good performance of the tracker. It can be concluded that the system is robust, efficient, and shows potential for application in both CSP solar technologies and photovoltaic systems.

Keywords

Solar tracker, accuracy, solar concentrator, solar energy, automation, solar radiation

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