IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i16p3946-d1453085.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessment of Single-Axis Solar Tracking System Efficiency in Equatorial Regions: A Case Study of Manta, Ecuador

Author

Listed:
  • Marcos A. Ponce-Jara

    (Faculty of Engineering, Industry and Architecture, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Av. Circunvalación S/N, Manta 130213, Ecuador)

  • Ivan Pazmino

    (Faculty of Engineering, Industry and Architecture, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Av. Circunvalación S/N, Manta 130213, Ecuador)

  • Ángelo Moreira-Espinoza

    (Faculty of Engineering, Industry and Architecture, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Av. Circunvalación S/N, Manta 130213, Ecuador)

  • Alfonso Gunsha-Morales

    (Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Av. Quito km. 11/2 vía a Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Quevedo 120301, Ecuador)

  • Catalina Rus-Casas

    (Electronic Engineering and Automatic Department, University of Jaén, Las Lagunillas Campus, A3 Building, 23071 Jaén, Spain
    Center for Advanced Studies in Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences CEACTEMA, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

Abstract

Ecuador is grappling with a severe energy crisis, marked by frequent power outages. A recent study explored solar energy efficiency in the coastal city of Manta using an IoT real-time monitoring system to compare static photovoltaic (PV) systems with two single-axis solar tracking systems: one based on astronomical programming and the other using light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors. Results showed that both tracking systems outperformed the static PV system, with net gains of 31.8% and 37.0%, respectively. The astronomical-programming-based system had a slight edge, operating its stepper motor intermittently for two minutes per hour, while the LDR system required continuous motor energization. The single-axis tracker using astronomical programming demonstrated notable advantages in energy efficiency and complexity, making it suitable for equatorial regions like Manta. The study also suggested potential further gains by adjusting solar positioning at shorter intervals, such as every 15 or 30 min. These findings enhance our understanding of solar tracking performance in equatorial environments, offering valuable insights for optimizing solar energy systems in regions with high solar radiation. By emphasizing customized solar tracking mechanisms, this research presents promising solutions to Ecuador’s energy crisis and advances sustainable energy practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcos A. Ponce-Jara & Ivan Pazmino & Ángelo Moreira-Espinoza & Alfonso Gunsha-Morales & Catalina Rus-Casas, 2024. "Assessment of Single-Axis Solar Tracking System Efficiency in Equatorial Regions: A Case Study of Manta, Ecuador," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:3946-:d:1453085
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/3946/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/16/3946/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Almonacid, F. & Rus, C. & Pérez-Higueras, P. & Hontoria, L., 2011. "Calculation of the energy provided by a PV generator. Comparative study: Conventional methods vs. artificial neural networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 375-384.
    2. Sebastijan Seme & Bojan Štumberger & Miralem Hadžiselimović & Klemen Sredenšek, 2020. "Solar Photovoltaic Tracking Systems for Electricity Generation: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Dobrotkova, Zuzana & Surana, Kavita & Audinet, Pierre, 2018. "The price of solar energy: Comparing competitive auctions for utility-scale solar PV in developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 133-148.
    4. Vieira, R.G. & Guerra, F.K.O.M.V. & Vale, M.R.B.G. & Araújo, M.M., 2016. "Comparative performance analysis between static solar panels and single-axis tracking system on a hot climate region near to the equator," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 672-681.
    5. Cevallos-Sierra, Jaime & Ramos-Martin, Jesús, 2018. "Spatial assessment of the potential of renewable energy: The case of Ecuador," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1154-1165.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Reza Sadeghi & Mattia Parenti & Samuele Memme & Marco Fossa & Stefano Morchio, 2025. "A Review and Comparative Analysis of Solar Tracking Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-48, May.
    2. Abdul-Hussein, Mustafa A. & Mohammed, Jamal A.-K. & Abdul-Lateef, Wisam E., 2025. "Design and implementation of pneumatic actuators in a dual-axis solar tracker under the climatic conditions of karbala city," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rehman, Shafiqur & El-Amin, Ibrahim, 2012. "Performance evaluation of an off-grid photovoltaic system in Saudi Arabia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 451-458.
    2. Mac Clay, Pablo & Börner, Jan & Sellare, Jorge, 2023. "Institutional and macroeconomic stability mediate the effect of auctions on renewable energy capacity," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    3. Trigo-González, Mauricio & Batlles, F.J. & Alonso-Montesinos, Joaquín & Ferrada, Pablo & del Sagrado, J. & Martínez-Durbán, M. & Cortés, Marcelo & Portillo, Carlos & Marzo, Aitor, 2019. "Hourly PV production estimation by means of an exportable multiple linear regression model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 303-312.
    4. Nawaz Edoo & Robert T. F. Ah King, 2021. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Plus Battery Power Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Xu, Bin & Lin, Boqiang, 2018. "Do we really understand the development of China's new energy industry?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 733-745.
    6. Mansoor Mustafa & Muhammad Omer Farooq Malik & Ahsen Maqsoom, 2024. "Barriers to Solar PV Adoption in Developing Countries: Multiple Regression and Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, January.
    7. Dirk Johan van Vuuren & Annlizé L. Marnewick & Jan Harm C. Pretorius, 2021. "A Financial Evaluation of a Multiple Inclination, Rooftop-Mounted, Photovoltaic System Where Structured Tariffs Apply: A Case Study of a South African Shopping Centre," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-26, March.
    8. Mohammed W. Baidas & Rola W. Hasaneya & Rashad M. Kamel & Sultan Sh. Alanzi, 2021. "Solar-Powered Cellular Base Stations in Kuwait: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-26, November.
    9. Alassi, Abdulrahman & Bañales, Santiago & Ellabban, Omar & Adam, Grain & MacIver, Callum, 2019. "HVDC Transmission: Technology Review, Market Trends and Future Outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 530-554.
    10. Dias, Luís & Gouveia, João Pedro & Lourenço, Paulo & Seixas, Júlia, 2019. "Interplay between the potential of photovoltaic systems and agricultural land use," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 725-735.
    11. Carlos Cacciuttolo & Martin Navarrete & Edison Atencio, 2024. "Renewable Wind Energy Implementation in South America: A Comprehensive Review and Sustainable Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-45, July.
    12. Esraa M. Abd Elsadek & Hossam Kotb & Ayman Samy Abdel-Khalik & Yasser Aboelmagd & Aly. H. Abdelbaky Elbatran, 2024. "Experimental and Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar PV System for Sustainable Building and Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation in Harsh Climate: A Case Study of Aswan Educational Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-31, June.
    13. Ftiti, Zied & Awijen, Haithem & Ben Ameur, Hachmi & Louhichi, Wael, 2025. "Understanding the drivers of energy capacity transitions: New evidence from a dual approach," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    14. Pere Ariza-Montobbio & Susana Herrero Olarte, 2021. "Socio-metabolic profiles of electricity consumption along the rural–urban continuum of Ecuador: Whose energy sovereignty?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 7961-7995, May.
    15. D'Agostino, D. & Minelli, F. & D'Urso, M. & Minichiello, F., 2022. "Fixed and tracking PV systems for Net Zero Energy Buildings: Comparison between yearly and monthly energy balance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 809-824.
    16. Karol Jakub Listewnik & Tomasz Nowak, 2024. "Comparison of the Energy Efficiency of Fixed and Tracking Home Photovoltaic Systems in Northern Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-22, September.
    17. Amro M Elshurafa & Abdel Rahman Muhsen, 2019. "The Upper Limit of Distributed Solar PV Capacity in Riyadh: A GIS-Assisted Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-20, August.
    18. Senturk, Ali, 2020. "Investigation of datasheet provided temperature coefficients of photovoltaic modules under various sky profiles at the field by applying a new validation procedure," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 644-652.
    19. Merheb, Caroline, 2024. "Why should imminent international funds for solar photovoltaics go to families and the private sector and not to the government to stop the electricity crisis in Lebanon?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    20. Federico Minelli & Diana D’Agostino & Maria Migliozzi & Francesco Minichiello & Pierpaolo D’Agostino, 2023. "PhloVer: A Modular and Integrated Tracking Photovoltaic Shading Device for Sustainable Large Urban Spaces—Preliminary Study and Prototyping," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-35, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:16:p:3946-:d:1453085. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.