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Project Title: Flexible And Dynamic Azimuth- Elevation (Φ-E) Solar Tracking System (STS) Using Computer Vision Control Approach For Micro-Scale Parabolic Dish Solar Concentrator (PDSC) (NSTEP-SRD-042)

Project No.: NSTEP-SRD-042
Scientific Division: VII - Engineering and Industrial Research
Project Leader: Franch Arellano Lorilla
Implementing Agency: National Research Council of the Philippines
Project Description:

To ensure universal access to sustainable energy means investing in clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and thermal. Parabolic Dish Solar Concentrator (PDSC) is a promising Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology with the highest recorded efficiencies of 25- 30% for converting thermal energy into electricity. However, commercial feasibility is yet to be proven due to the challenges against cloud disruptions, cost and complexity, environmental conditions, and high wind conditions. For the past 50 years, efforts have been made to improve the PDSC system through Solar Tracking System (STS) to make most of the solar harvesting through infrastructure improvement, advanced sun-localization techniques, and new control approaches. Thus, this research seeks to address the gaps identified and investigated from previous studies by integrating low-cost, high-quality, and wide Field-of-View (FOV) image sensors, and application of computer vision, deep learning, and machine learning for dynamic and flexible sun localization and control of STS. The study will employ a combined developmental and experimental research methodology. Most of the research works will be implemented at the CSP site, AdDU Bangkal Campus, Davao City.


Period Covered: 08/01/2022 - 04/30/2023
Duration: 10 months
Date completed : 2023-04-30
Status: Ongoing

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