Certain analysis of a solar cooker with dual axis sun tracker

This paper deals with the performance analysis of a solar cooker with a dual axis solar tracking PV system. We have compared the fill factor and efficiency of solar module in tracking and non-tracking mode. Initially the cooking was done with a panel tilted at 22° which is the latitude of the place. The panel was connected with a battery to enable 24 hour cooking and power required for cooking was calculated. The solar panel was connected with a rheostat and multi meters to vary the load and calculate the fill factor and efficiency of the panel. The fill factor and efficiency were tested during the clear sunny days of May 2013 at 22°33´N, 72°55´E. The studied device automatically searches the optimum PV panel position with respect to the sun by means of a DC motor controlled by an intelligent drive unit that receives input signals from dedicated light intensity sensors. The solar tracking PV panel is compared with a fixed PV panel in terms of electrical energy output and efficiency. There was increase in the efficiency of the panel in tracking mode than non-tracking mode. The overall efficiency of the hybrid cooker comes out to be 7.5% The hybrid cooker is costing nearly three times the cost of the conventional solar cooker. But it was observed that with the tracking system we can get nearly constant power and 4 to 5 meals per day can be easily cooked for a small family.