Techno-economic Feasibility Assessment of Implementation of Solar Tracking for Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Plants in Sri Lanka

• Published in: 2019 IEEE PES GTD Grand International Conference and Exposition Asia (GTD Asia) pp. 637 - 642
• Main Authors: Kumarawadu, S., De Seram, E. M. S. D, Kumara, A. D. M, Madhushanka, H. B. G, Sagara, D. K. P. R
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.03.2019
• Subjects: energy; Renewable; solar tracking; techno economic analysis
• DOI: 10.1109/GTDAsia.2019.8715867

Solar tracking is a method for enhancing the energy yield of a solar photovoltaic array by orienting the solar panels to align with the path of the sun using an electro mechanical drive system. The details of different tracking systems, their performances and their extra yields tend to exhibit high variances strongly depending on the location where it is implemented. Based on this, there is an argument that there is no significant requirement for implementing solar tracking for solar parks in equatorial regions like Sri Lanka, that experience a good solar irradiance throughout all months of the year. The paper presents the results of a techno-economic feasibility analysis of implementing solar tracking, carried out for a utility scale solar photovoltaic plant of a selected site location in Sri Lanka. During the analysis, the energy yields of different tracking systems were estimated by incorporating the weather data for the selected site location. The results obtained were incorporated with a sound cost benefit analysis to justify the techno economic feasibility of solar tracking strategy for Sri Lankan context.The paper also contains some proposals for future directions for improving tracking systems to enhance their ability to harness more solar energy.