Compressed Air Powered Pneumatic Solar Tracker

Solar energy is a significant contributor to the global transition towards renewable energy. However, the efficiency of solar panels, typically ranging from 15 to 20 percent, presents room for improvement. Solar trackers have emerged as a viable solution to enhance solar panel efficiency, potentially raising it to 20 30 percent. Despite the benefits of solar trackers, their widespread adoption has been limited due to the high cost associated with implementing tracking systems. As a result, fixed tilt panels are commonly used instead. However, pneumatic-based solar trackers offer an attractive alternative.

These trackers are characterized by their low cost and maintenance requirements compared to other active and passive solar trackers. By utilizing a passive solar tracker based on pneumatic technology, the cost of solar tracking can be significantly reduced, making it approximately half the cost of other tracking systems. This cost effectiveness makes the adoption of solar trackers more accessible, encouraging wider utilization of this technology and further improving solar panel efficiency. With the availability of low-cost pneumatic-based solar trackers, the potential to harness more solar energy efficiently becomes increasingly feasible. The project includes study of existing solar tracking technologies and the development of an air powered pneumatic tracker with the Research Grant of Rs. 49,000 from KCT’s Centre for exploratory research.