Optimizing the position of photovoltaic solar tracker panels with artificial intelligence using MATLAB Simulink

Abstract

This research aims to apply an artificial intelligence (AI) system to control the position of photovoltaic (PV) panels to maximize the use of solar energy using the solar tracker. The implementation of AI algorithms to achieve optimal panel orientation, considering factors such as sunlight intensity and sun position is also discussed. The simulation results using matrix laboratory (MATLAB) Simulink can be observed on the scope, displaying the position control graph of the solar panel from sunrise to sunset. By employing proportional integral derivative (PID) control, the error is likely to be minimal, ensuring that the panel will continue to follow the sun until it sets at the maximum point of 4:00 PM. After that, the panel can be adjusted back or reset to the initial position at 6:00 AM for the following day. In a full-day simulation, the solar panel will follow the sun's movement from sunset to sunrise. At the basic level, sunrise occurs in the first hour at position 1.0, which is 6:00 AM in the minimum point at the bottom left corner of the curve, and sunset occurs in the afternoon at position 5.25, which is 4:00 PM at the maximum point in the top right corner of the curve.