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{{Updated|7|13|15}}
 
[[Solar box cooker]]s and [[solar panel cookers]] normally do not need to be turned to follow the sun unless you are cooking beans or an especially large amount of food. They may need to be moved once over a three or four hour cooking period. However, [[parabolic solar cooker]]s require reorientation with the sun much more often. If tracking the sun is necessary, some of the ideas below will serve this purpose. Note that this page emphasized low-tech tracking methods that could be built with materials available in developing countries<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263128579_Solar_Tracking_Sun_Tracking_Sun_Tracker_Solar_Tracker_Follow_Sun_Sun_Position</ref>.
 
__TOC__
 
==Mechanical tracking systems==
 
[[File:Scheffler_tracking_mechanicals,_2-9-13.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Scheffler Reflector|Scheffler]] clockwork tracking system mechanicals]]
 
[[Simply Solar]] provides explanation of their various tracking systems at
 
[http://www.simply-solar.de/index.php/products/tracking-systems Scheffler tracking systems]. The mechanical system incorporates a clockwork mechanism, and often uses recycled bicycle parts. It is run by a weight and controlled by a pendulum. Resetting the reflector back from the evening position to the morning position is done by hand. They also offer photovoltaic options as well. {{Main|Scheffler Community Kitchen}}
   
 
==Programable tracking systems==
{{Updated|6|23|14}}
 
 
Still in its infancy, programable tracking systems are being developed with software to not only rotate the reflector to maintain maximum exposure to the sun, but to also control cooking time and desired temperatures. One example of auto tracking and monitoring system is the [http://www.solarcue.com SolarCue system]. Another is the [[Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic]], but there are a range of such programmable sun trackers<ref>Prinsloo, Gerro; Dobson Robert. (2015). ''Solar Tracking: High precision solar position algorithms, programs, software and source-code for computing the solar vector, solar coordinates & sun angles in Microprocessor, PLC, Arduino, PIC and PC-based sun tracking devices or dynamic sun following hardware'' (3 ed.). South Africa. ISBN 978-0-620-61576-1. Retrieved14 March 2015.</ref>.
[[Solar box cookers]] and [[solar panel cookers]] normally do not need to be turned to follow the sun unless you are cooking beans or an especially large amount of food. They may need to be moved once over a three or four hour cooking period. However, [[parabolic solar cooker]]s require reorientation with the sun much more often. If tracking the sun is necessary, some of the ideas below will serve this purpose. Note that this page emphasized low-tech tracking methods that could be built with materials available in developing countries.
 
   
  +
==Photovoltaic tracking systems==
__TOC__
 
 
[[File:Solar_Tracker_circuit_schematic.jpg|thumb|300px|A photovoltaic solar tracking circuit schematic provided by [[Marian Popescu]]]]
 
A clever system has been developed by several designers, which uses two photovoltaic panels configured to maintain an even balance of power to a small electrical turntable motor. The required photovoltaic panels typically are fairly small, and are placed side by side, but at slightly different angles to face the sun. As the sun moves across the sky one panel will begin to receive less direct sunlight.
   
 
The resulting electrical imbalance causes the dominant panel to engage the motor. The turntable will rotate until both photovoltaic panels face the sun equally, and the motor disengages. The simple system can be fairly lightweight for rotating a box or panel cooker. However, a larger [[parabolic solar cooker]], which will benefit the most from a good tracking system, will require a stronger motor and larger panels to rotate the cooker.
   
 
More information about the system can be found at [http://electroschematics.com/8019/diy-solar-tracker-system DIY solar tracking system]
[[Video:Revolutionary Solar! Stirling engine mount Liquid piston tracker|350px|none|]]See [[Tracking Solar Accumulating Barbecue]].
 
   
  +
==Tracking for the HotPot solar cooker==
  +
[[File:HotPot_tracker.jpg|right|300px]]
  +
Most are familiar with the [[HotPot]], a fine quality cooker. It does an excellent job of representing a solar cooker as a desirable appliance. However, the original design was created for use in tropical or semi-tropical areas bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°). The reflectors have been oriented for a more overhead sun position, which limit the cooking time in temperate locations to a 2 - 4 hour window. Here is an article that talks more about this issue. The author has been working on a tilting base mechanism to allow the reflectors to pick up early and late day sun. However, it may be a better idea to supplement the HotPot reflectors with a [[Windshield Shade Solar Cooker|windshield shade]] tipped forward and wrapped behind the cooker to catch the early and late day sun, as the pot and glass enclosure are really not suited for non-level conditions. [http://www.instructables.com/id/Hot-Pot-is-a-great-solar-cooker-but-was-designed-/ Details on this tracking design here].
  +
  +
{{Main|HotPot}}
  +
  +
=={{NewMay15}}Solrmatic==
  +
{{Main|Solrmatic}}
  +
[[File:Rasberry_Pi-Solrmatic,_4-30-14_.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic]]]]
  +
The [[Solrmatic]] is a programable turntable system intended to provide more control over when and how often a solar cooker needs to be reoriented with the sun. It can work with many existing manufactured or homemade [[solar box cooker]]s and [[solar panel cookers]] when they are placed on the turntable.
  +
  +
The Solrmatic features thermostats, time delay, timed cooking, and web monitoring, allowing you to cook almost everything you cook in a traditional oven. The Solrmatic has cooked leg of lamb, brisket, veggies, bread, cookies, bacon, and even dehydrated apples.
  +
  +
==Ideas for very low-tech tracking==
  +
 
[[File:Revolutionary Solar! Stirling engine mount Liquid piston tracker|350px|none|]]
 
{{See|Tracking Solar Accumulating Barbecue]}}
   
 
[[Image:800by566Water_Based_Solar_Tracker_Diagram.jpg|thumb|none|300px|[[Brian White]]'s diagram of the dripper tracker which is potentially a highly accurate waterclock. ''Graphic by Mike Murphy.'']]
 
[[Image:800by566Water_Based_Solar_Tracker_Diagram.jpg|thumb|none|300px|[[Brian White]]'s diagram of the dripper tracker which is potentially a highly accurate waterclock. ''Graphic by Mike Murphy.'']]
Line 19: Line 46:
   
 
[[Image:SolarOvenRepositingDevice V2-0.gif|thumb|none|500px| Tom Sponheim suggested using wax melting instead to remove the need for a magnifying glass]]
 
[[Image:SolarOvenRepositingDevice V2-0.gif|thumb|none|500px| Tom Sponheim suggested using wax melting instead to remove the need for a magnifying glass]]
[[Image:Golfballs.jpg|A revolving base can be made using golfballs.]]
+
[[Image:Golfballs.jpg|thumb|none|250px|A revolving base can be made using golfballs.]]
   
 
[[File:Gimp_equa_float_pistons.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Provisionally called liquid piston tracker]]
 
[[File:Gimp_equa_float_pistons.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Provisionally called liquid piston tracker]]
Line 25: Line 52:
 
[[File:Von Oppen tracking diagram.jpg|thumb|none|400px|The Von Oppen system uses a half filled bottle to act as a floating piston, which drops when the water is slowly drained from the reservoir.]]
 
[[File:Von Oppen tracking diagram.jpg|thumb|none|400px|The Von Oppen system uses a half filled bottle to act as a floating piston, which drops when the water is slowly drained from the reservoir.]]
   
 
==Audio and video==
==Scheffler Community Kitchen clockwork tracking system==
 
  +
*{{NewJul15}}'''July 2015:'''
[[File:Scheffler_tracking_mechanicals,_2-9-13.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[Scheffler Reflector|Scheffler]] clockwork tracking system mechanicals]]
 
  +
::[[File:Scheffler mirror demonstrations.wmv|thumb|none|400px|[[Wolfgang Scheffler]] explains the workings of two of his automatic tracking parabolic cooking systems, and the design of his solar food dryer.]]
[[Simply Solar]] provides explanation of their various tracking systems at
 
[http://www.simply-solar.de/index.php/products/tracking-systems Scheffler tracking systems]. The mechanical system incorporates a clockwork mechanism, and often uses recycled bicycle parts. It is run by a weight and controlled by a pendulum. Resetting the reflector back from the evening position to the morning position is done by hand. They also offer photovoltaic options as well. {{See|Scheffler Community Kitchen}}
 
   
  +
*'''May 2013:'''
==Programable tracking systems==
 
 
::[[File:Solar oven tracker wiring|thumb|none|400 px| A very clear short video of a simple photovoltaic tracking mechanism.]]
Still in its infancy, programable tracking systems are being developed with software to not only rotate the reflector to maintain maximum exposure to the sun, but to also control cooking time and desired temperatures.  One example of auto tracking and monitoring system is the [http://www.solarcue.com SolarCue system], another is the [[Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic]]
 
   
  +
*'''February 2013:'''
==Photovoltaic tracking systems==
 
 
::[[File:CATASSOL automatizado 1|thumb|none|400px|[[Pleno Sol]] provides a short demonstration of the photovoltaic tracking system they have developed.]]
[[File:Solar_Tracker_circuit_schematic.jpg|thumb|300px|A photovoltaic solar tracking circuit schematic provided by [[Marian Popescu]]]]
 
A clever system has been developed by several designers, which uses two photovoltaic panels configured to maintain an even balance of power to a small electrical turntable motor. The required photovoltaic panels typically are fairly small, and are placed side by side, but at slightly different angles to face the sun. As the sun moves across the sky one panel will begin to receive less direct sunlight.
 
   
  +
*'''March 2011:'''
The resulting electrical imbalance causes the dominant panel to engage the motor. The turntable will rotate until both photovoltaic panels face the sun equally, and the motor disengages. The simple system can be fairly lightweight for rotating a box or panel cooker. However, a larger [[parabolic solar cooker]], which will benefit the most from a good tracking system, will require a stronger motor and larger panels to rotate the cooker.
 
 
::[[File:Solar Oven with Tracker .mpg|thumb|400px|none|Box cooker rotated by PV panels sending power to 12 volt motor. As one PV panel begins to receive less light, it sends less power to the servo, which operates the motor until both panels are a sending balanced power stream.]]
   
  +
*'''December 2010:'''
More information about the system designed by [[Marian Popescu]] can be found at [http://electroschematics.com/8019/diy-solar-tracker-system DIY solar tracking system]
 
 
::[[File:Smart Solar Oven Platform Benchtop Test.wmv|400px|none]]
 
==Audio and video==
 
[[File:GÜNEŞİ TAKİP EDEBİLEN OCAK, SOLAR COOKER THAT TRACKS THE SUN|thumb|none|400px]]
 
[[File:Solar oven tracker wiring|thumb|left|400 px| A very clear short video of a simple photovoltaic tracking mechanism.]]
 
   
  +
*'''December 2010:'''
[[File:CATASSOL automatizado 1|thumb|left|400px|[[Pleno Sol]] provides a short demonstration of the photovoltaic tracking system they have developed.]]
 
 
::[[File:Cooking a Yam 12-30-10.wmv|thumb|400px|none|Programable system tracks the sun, and turns the reflector away when cooking is completed.]]
 
[[Video:Smart Solar Oven Platform Benchtop Test.wmv|thumb|400px|left]]
 
{{clr}}
 
*'''December 2010:''' Programable system tracks the sun, and turns the reflector away when cooking is completed.
 
[[Video:Cooking a Yam 12-30-10.wmv|400px|]]
 
   
  +
*'''October 2010:'''
{|
 
 
::[[File:GÜNEŞİ TAKİP EDEBİLEN OCAK, SOLAR COOKER THAT TRACKS THE SUN|thumb|none|400px]]
|-
 
|[[File:Solar Oven with Tracker .mpg|425px]]
 
|'''March 2011:''' Box cooker rotated by PV panels sending power to 12 volt motor. As one PV panel begins to receive less light, it sends less power to the servo, which operates the motor until both panels are a sending balanced power stream.
 
|}
 
   
  +
*'''March 2010:'''
{|
 
 
::[[File:Revolutionary Solar! Stirling engine mount + Liquid piston tracker|thumb|none|400px|[[Tracking Solar Accumulating Barbecue]] - ''[[Brian White]]'']]
|-
 
[[Video:ME102 UC Berkeley Solar Tracker Project|425px|]]
 
|'''April 2010:''' UC Berkeley student tracking system demonstration
 
|}
 
   
  +
*'''May 2008:'''
{|
 
 
::[[File:Clock based dripper tracker demo.|thumb|none|400px|Clock based dripper tracker demo]]
|-
 
|[[File:Revolutionary Solar! Stirling engine mount + Liquid piston tracker|610px]]
 
|'''March 2010:''' [[Tracking Solar Accumulating Barbecue]] - ''[[Brian White]]''
 
|}
 
   
  +
*'''April 2008:'''
{|
 
 
::[[File:Dripper tracker for parabolic solar accumulator!|thumb|none|400px|Dripper tracker for parabolic solar accumulator]]
|-
 
|[[File:Clock based dripper tracker demo.|425px]]
 
|'''May 2008:''' Clock based dripper tracker demo
 
|}
 
   
  +
*'''December 2007:'''
{|
 
  +
::[[File:ME102 UC Berkeley Solar Tracker Project|thumb|400px|none|UC Berkeley student tracking system demonstration]]
|-
 
|[[File:Dripper tracker for parabolic solar accumulator!|425px]]
 
|'''June 2006:''' Dripper tracker for parabolic solar accumulator
 
|}
 
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
  +
*{{NewMay15}}[[Solrmatic]]
  +
*[[SunSaluter]]
 
*[[Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic]]
 
*[[Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic]]
 
*[[Scheffler Community Kitchen]]
 
*[[Scheffler Community Kitchen]]
Line 93: Line 99:
   
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
  +
*[http://www.scribd.com/doc/236395487/Redirecting-Sunlight-with-Polar-Tracking-in-Developing-Countries-and-Elsewhere Redirecting Sunlight with Polar Tracking in Developing Countries… and Elsewhere] - ''[[Pete Schwartz]]''
  +
*{{GoogleLinkAuto|1=http://www.suncalor.com/?C=S;O=A|2=Cuisson Solaire Innovante: Mécanisme suivi de trajectoire solaire permettant le guidage d’une parabole}}
 
*[http://electroschematics.com/8019/diy-solar-tracker-system DIY photovoltaic solar tracking system]
 
*[http://electroschematics.com/8019/diy-solar-tracker-system DIY photovoltaic solar tracking system]
  +
*[[Media:Granada06_yousif_abakr.pdf|Solar Water Boiler with Tracking System]] - ''Yousif Abakr''
 
*[http://www.simply-solar.de/index.php/products/tracking-systems Scheffler tracking systems]
 
*[http://www.simply-solar.de/index.php/products/tracking-systems Scheffler tracking systems]
*[http://web.archive.org/20100228043451/iapnews.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/solar-cooker-research-in-jordan/ Solar cooker research in Jordan]
+
*[http://web.archive.org/20100228043451/iapnews.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/solar-cooker-research-in-jordan/ A parabolic solar cooker with automatic two axes sun tracking system]
 
*[http://solarcooking.org/research/cookpend.htm Solar Tracking With A Box-Style Cooker] - ''[[Jim Thomasson]]''
 
*[http://solarcooking.org/research/cookpend.htm Solar Tracking With A Box-Style Cooker] - ''[[Jim Thomasson]]''
 
*Readymade Solar Oven Trackers available for purchase at: [http://www.solaroventrackers.com/ www.solaroventrackers.com]
 
*Readymade Solar Oven Trackers available for purchase at: [http://www.solaroventrackers.com/ www.solaroventrackers.com]
Line 102: Line 111:
 
*[http://www.appropedia.org/Heliostats Appropedia heliostats article]
 
*[http://www.appropedia.org/Heliostats Appropedia heliostats article]
 
*[http://lightmanufacturingsystems.com/heliostats/ LightManufacturing Systems heliostats (commercial) and Solar Manufacturing systems]
 
*[http://lightmanufacturingsystems.com/heliostats/ LightManufacturing Systems heliostats (commercial) and Solar Manufacturing systems]
  +
{{References}}
 
[[Category:Materials]]
 
[[Category:Materials]]
 
[[Category:Tracking systems]]
 
[[Category:Tracking systems]]

Revision as of 00:45, 13 October 2015

Searchbox
Last edited: 13 July 2015      

Solar box cookers and solar panel cookers normally do not need to be turned to follow the sun unless you are cooking beans or an especially large amount of food. They may need to be moved once over a three or four hour cooking period. However, parabolic solar cookers require reorientation with the sun much more often. If tracking the sun is necessary, some of the ideas below will serve this purpose. Note that this page emphasized low-tech tracking methods that could be built with materials available in developing countries[1].

Mechanical tracking systems

Scheffler tracking mechanicals, 2-9-13

The Scheffler clockwork tracking system mechanicals

Simply Solar provides explanation of their various tracking systems at Scheffler tracking systems. The mechanical system incorporates a clockwork mechanism, and often uses recycled bicycle parts. It is run by a weight and controlled by a pendulum. Resetting the reflector back from the evening position to the morning position is done by hand. They also offer photovoltaic options as well.

Programable tracking systems

Still in its infancy, programable tracking systems are being developed with software to not only rotate the reflector to maintain maximum exposure to the sun, but to also control cooking time and desired temperatures. One example of auto tracking and monitoring system is the SolarCue system. Another is the Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic, but there are a range of such programmable sun trackers[2].

Photovoltaic tracking systems

Solar Tracker circuit schematic

A photovoltaic solar tracking circuit schematic provided by Marian Popescu

A clever system has been developed by several designers, which uses two photovoltaic panels configured to maintain an even balance of power to a small electrical turntable motor. The required photovoltaic panels typically are fairly small, and are placed side by side, but at slightly different angles to face the sun. As the sun moves across the sky one panel will begin to receive less direct sunlight.

The resulting electrical imbalance causes the dominant panel to engage the motor. The turntable will rotate until both photovoltaic panels face the sun equally, and the motor disengages. The simple system can be fairly lightweight for rotating a box or panel cooker. However, a larger parabolic solar cooker, which will benefit the most from a good tracking system, will require a stronger motor and larger panels to rotate the cooker.

More information about the system can be found at DIY solar tracking system

Tracking for the HotPot solar cooker

HotPot tracker

Most are familiar with the HotPot, a fine quality cooker. It does an excellent job of representing a solar cooker as a desirable appliance. However, the original design was created for use in tropical or semi-tropical areas bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°). The reflectors have been oriented for a more overhead sun position, which limit the cooking time in temperate locations to a 2 - 4 hour window. Here is an article that talks more about this issue. The author has been working on a tilting base mechanism to allow the reflectors to pick up early and late day sun. However, it may be a better idea to supplement the HotPot reflectors with a windshield shade tipped forward and wrapped behind the cooker to catch the early and late day sun, as the pot and glass enclosure are really not suited for non-level conditions. Details on this tracking design here.

Main article: HotPot

Solrmatic

Main article: Solrmatic
Rasberry Pi-Solrmatic, 4-30-14

The Raspberry Pi: Solrmatic

The Solrmatic is a programable turntable system intended to provide more control over when and how often a solar cooker needs to be reoriented with the sun. It can work with many existing manufactured or homemade solar box cookers and solar panel cookers when they are placed on the turntable.

The Solrmatic features thermostats, time delay, timed cooking, and web monitoring, allowing you to cook almost everything you cook in a traditional oven. The Solrmatic has cooked leg of lamb, brisket, veggies, bread, cookies, bacon, and even dehydrated apples.

Ideas for very low-tech tracking

See Tracking Solar Accumulating Barbecue].
800by566Water Based Solar Tracker Diagram

Brian White's diagram of the dripper tracker which is potentially a highly accurate waterclock. Graphic by Mike Murphy.

SimpleSolarTracking

qtsunshine@hotmail.com's design for a simple system to reposition a solar cooker automatically while unattended.

Clocktracker600

]Tracking mechanism that uses the hour hand of a clock to control the turning of a solar cooker

Solar Water Clock Drive

A plan for a solar water clock drive submitted by ChrisM1111@aol.com

Solar Oven Repositing Device V1-0

Solar oven repositioning device designed by Jeff Monaco. Tom Sponheim suggested using wax melting instead to remove the need for a magnifying glass.

SolarOvenRepositingDevice V2-0

Tom Sponheim suggested using wax melting instead to remove the need for a magnifying glass

Golfballs

A revolving base can be made using golfballs.

Gimp equa float pistons

Provisionally called liquid piston tracker

Von Oppen tracking diagram

The Von Oppen system uses a half filled bottle to act as a floating piston, which drops when the water is slowly drained from the reservoir.

Audio and video

  • July 2015:
Scheffler_mirror_demonstrations.wmv

Scheffler mirror demonstrations.wmv

Wolfgang Scheffler explains the workings of two of his automatic tracking parabolic cooking systems, and the design of his solar food dryer.

  • May 2013:
Solar_oven_tracker_wiring

Solar oven tracker wiring

A very clear short video of a simple photovoltaic tracking mechanism.

  • February 2013:
CATASSOL_automatizado_1

CATASSOL automatizado 1

Pleno Sol provides a short demonstration of the photovoltaic tracking system they have developed.

  • March 2011:
Solar_Oven_with_Tracker_.mpg

Solar Oven with Tracker .mpg

Box cooker rotated by PV panels sending power to 12 volt motor. As one PV panel begins to receive less light, it sends less power to the servo, which operates the motor until both panels are a sending balanced power stream.

  • December 2010:
  • December 2010:
Cooking_a_Yam_12-30-10.wmv

Cooking a Yam 12-30-10.wmv

Programable system tracks the sun, and turns the reflector away when cooking is completed.

  • October 2010:
GÜNEŞİ_TAKİP_EDEBİLEN_OCAK,_SOLAR_COOKER_THAT_TRACKS_THE_SUN

GÜNEŞİ TAKİP EDEBİLEN OCAK, SOLAR COOKER THAT TRACKS THE SUN

  • March 2010:
Revolutionary_Solar!_Stirling_engine_mount_+_Liquid_piston_tracker

Revolutionary Solar! Stirling engine mount + Liquid piston tracker

Tracking Solar Accumulating Barbecue - Brian White

  • May 2008:
Clock_based_dripper_tracker_demo.

Clock based dripper tracker demo.

Clock based dripper tracker demo

  • April 2008:
Dripper_tracker_for_parabolic_solar_accumulator!

Dripper tracker for parabolic solar accumulator!

Dripper tracker for parabolic solar accumulator

  • December 2007:
ME102_UC_Berkeley_Solar_Tracker_Project

ME102 UC Berkeley Solar Tracker Project

UC Berkeley student tracking system demonstration

See also

External links

References

  1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263128579_Solar_Tracking_Sun_Tracking_Sun_Tracker_Solar_Tracker_Follow_Sun_Sun_Position
  2. Prinsloo, Gerro; Dobson Robert. (2015). Solar Tracking: High precision solar position algorithms, programs, software and source-code for computing the solar vector, solar coordinates & sun angles in Microprocessor, PLC, Arduino, PIC and PC-based sun tracking devices or dynamic sun following hardware (3 ed.). South Africa. ISBN 978-0-620-61576-1. Retrieved14 March 2015.