Exploration of the effect of two-axis PLC solar tracking system on the thermal performance of solar air collector

In the present study, the effects of a solar tracking system on the thermal performance of the solar air collector (SAC) were investigated in detail. Two SACs of equal size were designed to reveal the effect of the solar tracking system. One of the SACs was fixed at 38 degrees South-East; on the other SAC, two-axis PLC solar tracking system was integrated. Thermal efficiency analyses were carried out for both SACs at three different airflow rates under the same environmental conditions. While the highest energy efficiency value was calculated as 86% for the movable SAC, the lowest energy efficiency value was calculated for the fixed SAC as 14%. It was determined that the average exergy efficiency value of the movable SAC is 2.8 times higher than the exergy efficiency value of the fixed SAC. In addition, it was shown that the average SAC input-output temperature difference was increased by two times with the help of the solar tracking system. Also, according to the economic analysis, it has been observed that the movable SAC was two times more environmentally friendly than the fixed SAC. Additionally, it was revealed that the movable SAC has 2.13 times more heat transfer value than the fixed SAC. In addition to all these, Nu values obtained for three different mass flow values in SAC were compared with different Nu correlations in the literature, and it was shown that the experimental Nu values were compatible with these correlations. According to the experimental data, it was clearly stated that the solar tracking system significantly improves the thermal performance of the SAC.

Automated summary

The study revealed that the solar tracking system significantly improves the thermal performance of the solar air collector, with the movable SAC showing higher energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and heat transfer value compared to the fixed SAC. Additionally, economic analysis indicated that the movable SAC is more environmentally friendly.