Astronomy Algorithm Simulation for Two Degrees of Freedom of Solar Tracking Mechanism Using Clanguage

AbstractThis paper describes the use of an astronomical algorithm for two degrees of freedom of solar tracking mechanism with the result that the expected solar thermal collector panels always leads to the sun and solar energy is absorbed optimally. The movement triggers of the sun tracking mechanism is an astronomical algorithm that generates the azimuth and altitude values based on latitude, longitude, and time. This system does not use any sensor so that is more economical and can be applied anywhere. Simulations have been made using the C programming language with Dev-C++ IDE to test the accuracy of the azimuth and elevation values generated by astronomical algorithm used, and compared with the value produced by the U.S. Naval Observatory and Geoscience Australia. The location used is LIPI Bandung with latitude 107̊36′E and longitude 6̊52′S at every hour from 06:00 to 18:00 on the first date of each month of 2013. Simulation results show that the value of the azimuth and elevation resulting approached two other reference values with maximum azimuth difference 0.51 degrees and the maximum altitude difference 0.49 degrees to data the U.S. Naval Observatory, and the maximum azimuth difference 0.52 degrees and the maximum altitude difference 0.50 degrees to the data Australia Geoscience. Based on this research, it is known that the azimuth and elevation values was generated by these algorithms can be applied to two degrees of freedom of solar tracking mechanism because its accuracy is close to two other reference values