Solar collector technologies operate with better performance when the Sun beam direction\nis normal to the capturing surface, and for that to happen despite the relative movement of the Sun,\nsolar tracking systems are used, therefore, there are rules and standards that need minimum accuracy\nfor these tracking systems to be used in solar collectorsââ?¬â?¢ evaluation. Obtaining accuracy is not an\neasy job, hence in this document the design, construction and characterization of a sensor based on\na visual system that finds the relative azimuth error and height of the solar surface of interest, is\npresented. With these characteristics, the sensor can be used as a reference in control systems and\ntheir evaluation. The proposed sensor is based on a microcontroller with a real-time clock, inertial\nmeasurement sensors, geolocation and a vision sensor, that obtains the angle of incidence from the\nsunraysââ?¬â?¢ direction as well as the tilt and sensor position. The sensorââ?¬â?¢s characterization proved how\na measurement of a focus error or a Sun position can be made, with an accuracy of 0.0426ââ??¦ and an\nuncertainty of 0.986%, which can be modified to reach an accuracy under 0.01ââ??¦. The validation of\nthis sensor was determined showing the focus error on one of the best commercial solar tracking\nsystems, a Kipp & Zonen SOLYS 2. To conclude, the solar tracking sensor based on a vision system\nmeets the Sun detection requirements and components that meet the accuracy conditions to be used\nin solar tracking systems and their evaluation or, as a tracking and orientation tool, on photovoltaic\ninstallations and solar collectors.
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