Performance comparison between tracking and fixed photovoltaic system: A case study of Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, Hanoi

Vietnam has declared its first official support mechanisms for the development of solar power projects by the Decision 11/2017/QD-TTg, officially signed by the Prime Minister of Vietnam in April 2017. The Decision creates a legal framework for solar energy market and promotes solar electricity development in Vietnam. Since 2016, Energy Department of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi has been implementing a 15 kWp grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system in Hanoi. The PV array performance is mostly influenced by its tilt angle, orientation, climatic conditions and geographic location. From simulated results, this paper aims to evaluate the performance comparison between a PV automatic tracking system and a PV fixed mounting system on identical PV arrays with the same rated powers in a one-year period, under similar environmental conditions and installed location. Firstly, the architectural design of the entire system is going to be described. Next, the energy outputs of the fixed and tracking system are analyzed by using the PVsyst software as a simulation tool [1]. This work examines the maximum performance of the PV output during the early stage of the system design by adjusting the optimum titled angle of the PV modules monthly, seasonal and yearly for non-tracking PV arrays. Then, the results are compared with the performance of automatic tracking systems. The study confirmed that the automatic single North-South axis tracker, which continuously tracks the sun from East to West, is the most suitable for PV system at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in the north of Vietnam, in the tropical zone.