https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01746-1
Regular Article
Analysis of concentrating collector’s geometry with a passive solar tracking mechanism
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, 144008, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
Received:
22
December
2024
Accepted:
6
June
2025
Published online:
18
July
2025
The operation of solar tracking needs a considerable amount of electricity and reduces the energy conversion efficiency. In this work, a motorless tracking mechanism for a linear concentrator has been modelled and analysed for the minimum tracking loads. A hydraulically damped suspension spring has been used for the smooth rotation of the collector without causing vibrations. The analysis is focussed on the geometry of the collector and the mechanics of tracking. The analysis results in a lower tracking load as a function of sprocket wheel size, spring strength, and maximum deflection of the spring, which is independent of the collector weight. A high geometric factor increases the stability of the collector and provides smooth and simple tracking with minimal tracking load. The geometric factor should be greater than 0.53 for the wide collector with stable rotation. The maximum incidence angle with N–S axis motorless tracking is 30° during the winter solstice. An increase in sprocket wheel size and geometric factors results in favourable conditions.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
