Modelling for optimization of photovoltaic positioning applied in pumping water irrigation

• Grant number: 12/51422-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2013 - June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Rural Energization
• Principal Investigator: Tarlei Arriel Botrel
• Grantee: Tarlei Arriel Botrel
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Conversion of solar energy directly in electricity with a clean process, quiet and made at owning local of consume meets the great aspiration of modern society. It mainly, when the major transport and production electricity processes are targets of criticism due environmental damage that cause. Electricity production through photovoltaic generators already today is a technical and economic reality that spreads worldwide. It is necessary that the agricultural sector accompany this development of power generation, especially irrigated agriculture. For pumping water to supply irrigation systems, that use mainly electric motors, or in some regions without public supply of electricity, internal combustion engines diesel. Such regions, photovoltaic energy from of an inexhaustible source is the most promising nowadays. Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that have poor efficiency. Hence, is necessary the developing of means for improving the efficiency these cells like installing the panels so that sunbeams hit always perpendicular, changing the tilt angle of panels throughout the day in other to equalize the power generated. However, it is not clear how much will be the water pumping yield by using panels with different tilts when compared to static panels. It is expected that the solar tracker that does not used any or little energy to perform this movement, be an alternative viable technique to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic plates. (AU)