Cutting the Lead in Solar Energy Research

By Dr. Hans Chapman (RECCET)
Spring 2009

RECCET graduate students Yaw Nyanteh (far left) and Kyle Wang (2nd left) with Associate Director, Dr. Hans Chapman (2nd right) and Director, Dr. Yaw Owusu (far right) monitoring solar irradiance and energy output from the AZ 125 Dual Axis Solar Tracker.

Solar energy technology makes use of the sun's rays to provide other forms of energy, including electricity and heat, for household, industrial, and other applications.

In recent times of rising energy costs and depletion of fossil fuels, federal, state, and local agencies have placed an increased priority on the need to revitalize the nation's economy while finding clean and renewable domestic sources of energy. To complement this initiative, research efforts aimed at increasing the production of photovoltaic (solar) energy systems alongside the improvement in energy conversion efficiencies of photovoltaic modules, are gaining traction.

The Research Center for Cutting-Edge Technologies (RECCET) at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, under the leadership of Dr. Yaw A. Owusu, Director, and Associate Directors, Dr. Hans Chapman and Mr. Ron Cutwright aims to be at the forefront of research in this promising technology.

RECCET's Photovoltaic Research

The Sunflower Single-Axis (Passive) Tracker located behind the Centennial Building at Innovation Park, Tallahassee, FL.

RECCET's Photovoltaic Research efforts feature important thrusts such as:

  • Design, Installation, and Performance Assessment of Single-Axis and Dual-Axis Solar Trackers
  • Design, Manufacture, and Installation of a Solar-Powered Solar Fountain
  • Meteorological Factors Affecting Power Variability of Photovoltaic Modules
  • Modeling for Optimal Sizing and Operation of Stand-Alone Wind-Solar Hybrid System
  • Improvement of Photovoltaic Output Performance Using Novel Recuperative Heat Transfer Methodology for Residential and Large Scale Application

RECCET's recent installations include a Single-Axis Passive Solar Tracker, aptly named "The Sunflower" and the AZ 125 Dual Axis Active Tracker located within a short walking distance from the Herbert F. Morgan Building (FAMU-FSU College of Engineering).

The Sunflower was designed and installed in 2005 by a team of RECCET students, led by graduate student, Thomas Anthony. As a Single-Axis Tracker, it is passive in nature, i.e., requires no motors or generators. The system was made up of three main components, the supporting structure, the moving parts and the solar modules.

The Dual-Axis Tracker comprises of a motor and gear assembly, an elevation actuator, a pair of photo sensors and a rack that houses the PV modules. It uses an externally-driven motor to track the sun's trajectory in two axes, thereby maximizing the captured solar irradiance both daily and seasonally, irrespective of the sun's relative position or inclination.

Indoor testing of photovoltaic modules at the RECCET laboratory is made possible with a ThermoOriel Solar Simulator (in the background) and accessories. [L to R: Guillermo Maduro (undergraduate student), Dr. Yaw A. Owusu (Director), Dr. Hans Chapman (Associate Director), Kyle Wang (graduate student) and Yaw Nyanteh (graduate student).]

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering graduate students, Kyle Wang and Yaw Nyanteh, and undergraduate student, Guillermo Maduro completed the design and installation of the tracker in October, 2008. Kyle Wang successfully defended his thesis in December, 2008 and Yaw Nyanteh is on course to graduate in August 2009.

As interest in photovoltaic research soars, RECCET's Solar Tracking Stations will continue to serve as not only a tool for academic/research pursuits, but also a demonstrational attraction for potential students and professionals in the budding field of green and renewable energy studies.