Novel Design of Solar Carport with Tracking System: A Case Study of Baghdad, Iraq

In particular, solar energy is a strong substitute since it reduces reliance on non-renewable resources and offers economic and environmental benefits. However, because it needs to accommodate a lot of parking spaces and provide the most energy feasible, constructing a solar-powered carport could be difficult. Simultaneously, the design of parking spots must adhere to several regulations, and the design of photovoltaic systems must take several things into account. With a novel motion mechanism, the current study intends to build a sun-tracking solar carport that tilts at more angles, increasing the amount of incident irradiance and electrical power generated by the panels. Two distinct sun-tracking solar carport designs with distinct motion mechanisms were designed, the first with a single column mechanism and the second with an X -shape mechanism, After identifying the suitable location for the solar carport for the Training and Energy Research Department at the Ministry of Electricity in Baghdad, Iraq, In January 2024, from 8 AM to 4 PM, the stress, deformation, and variation in solar irradiance impinge on the panels between the horizontal and tilted carport were examined and assessed. The findings demonstrated that, in terms of solar irradiance, the sun-tracking solar carport has a larger percentage than the fixed carport. The X-shaped solar carport design has a maximum equivalent stress of 145 MPa, whereas the single-column mechanism solar carport has a maximum equivalent stress of 112.45 MPa. The X-shaped solar carport design has a maximum deformation of 4.797 mm, whereas the single-column mechanism solar carport design has a maximum deformation of 29.65 mm. Consequently, in terms of sun-tracking angles and their capacity to tolerate stress and deformation, the second design—the X-shaped mechanism that has been suggested is the most appropriate for working.