Comparison between fixed and solar oriented PV modules' energy production using a simplified PSIM model

Abstract

This paper presents a simplified Powersim (PSIM) model for simulating and estimating the power losses due to the change in the relative position of the sun to a fixed south oriented solar panel. The proposed equation used for describing the difference between the sun-tracking system and the fixed system is validated by testing a solar panel guidance system based on data provided by Stellarium software. The results obtained when using a fixed, a single-axis and a dual-axis tracking system are compared for different energy test reports. For example, in summer time (Cluj-Napoca), when using Stellarium indications, if only the azimuth is respected, the energy production can be increased by almost 31%, and by about 35% if the elevation is respected as well. This is compared to a fixed south oriented solar panel tilted at 45 degrees.