Dual axis solar panel with IOT based solar energy monitoring.

Renewable energy resources are main things that are producing electrical energy we are using in our homes, which includes solar, wind, hydro, geothermal energy. With due time most users are converting to solar energy. According to the recent statistics in 2019, 2% of the energy produced globally cam

Project Title

Dual axis solar panel with IOT based solar energy monitoring.

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Renewable energy resources are main things that are producing electrical energy we are using in our homes, which includes solar, wind, hydro, geothermal energy. With due time most users are converting to solar energy. According to the recent statistics in 2019, 2% of the energy produced globally came from solar energy. So, a lot of methods are being developed and also under-develop to improve the efficiency of the solar panel. One of the method is to use more sunlight. Hence, solar panel must be smart in-order-to increase its efficiency.

Problem is that solar panels are fixed at certain position that allows to produce energy up to a certain mark. For maximum energy creation, solar panel must be perpendicular to the rays of the sun. If solar panel is not aligned according to the sun’s position, then it impacts a lot on the efficiency of the solar panel. Few angles of misalignment might not cause problem, but large deviation will decrease its energy capacity up to 35% that is a huge value, so we must make advancement so that solar panel gets maximum solar energy and its efficiency is good enough. The simplest way of getting more energy from solar panel is to track the sun.  There are many ways to track the sun. The method, we will be using is Dual axis Solar tracking. Studies shows that 36% of the energy creation per day is increased as compared to fixed solar panel by using this technique.

Project Objectives

The project will target following aims and objectives:

1. Study of theoretical aspects of dual axis solar panel.
2. Develop a prototype of dual axis solar panel.
3. Maximizing the efficiency of solar panel and   monitoring the solar energy.

Project Implementation Method

The proposed system will consist of a hardware prototype of solar tracking system which is capable of displaying the output voltage and current on LCD and on internet of things. We are using 220V AC and then we are converting it into 5V DC by using rectifiers, diodes to power LCD. Two servo motors are used for horizontal and vertical rotation. To track the sun we are using four LDRs on adjacent corners of Solar panel. After tracking to check the output of the solar panel we are using current sensor and voltage sensor to check the voltage and current values. After which we are using LCD to display the values and Internet of things that is ESP 8266 on internet.

• Steps about working of Project:

1.  Turn on the supply of 220-240V.
2. A step- down transformer (Tran-2P2S) whose primary side inductance is 1H secondary side inductance is 12.3mH is connected to reduce the voltage at the certain level.
3. Then 4 diodes (1N4001) are connected in such a way that rectifier bridge is formed that is used to convert Alternating Current (AC) into Direct Current (DC).
4. Shunt capacitor of 2200uF is used for purification of Direct Current.
5. Then Regulator (7805) is used to get constant 5V at output because that 5V are used for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
6. ARDINO UNO is used to give control commands to the Light Dependent Resistors (LDR’s), connected with current sensor (ACS 712) and voltage sensor and also connected to ESP8266 (NODEMCU).

• Solar tracker:

1. There are 4 LDR’s are connected on solar panel to judge the position of the sun and adjust the solar panel accordingly. The flow chart of working LDR’s is shown below.
2. After solar panel is set at position where energy is maximum then it is monitored.

• Solar energy monitoring:

1. This energy we are getting from solar panel is now send to ARDINO where current and voltage sensors are joined to measure values.
2. Before entering the voltages of solar panel to ARDINO, voltage divider is used because to limit voltage value such that it can be measured, then these values are displayed on LCD.
3. As soon we get our values these values are transferred to Internet of Things, we are using website “Things speak” to display our results on internet and these values can be seen from any part of the world.

Benefits of the Project

• As world is moving to solar because it is environment friendly since there is no pollution involved and its life span is sufficient enough for satisfaction of user.
• In some countries there is a short fall of electricity so there have to do cut off electricity for a while, but for a solar user whole scenario will be different.
• We will make sure that our project will be beneficial for our society.
• We will ensure that our project will not be dangerous for others.
• Our project will enhance the importance of solar energy to the people.
• Data of the users will be confidential.
• We will provide instruction book for those who want to perform experiments on our project.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Our project is dual axis solar panel and before this single axis solar panel is used. Due to our project, we will be able to generate more power because of dual axis rotation. If solar panel with dual axis rotation is used, then we don’t need to depend on other electricity generating processes. As in our country there is problem of load shedding, therefore if solar panels with dual axis rotation are used then problem of load shedding cab be solved. Our project is based on IOT and Arduino Wi-Fi Shield. As, we are showing our results on a website therefore this will be helpful for an individual to check the working solar panel.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Internet of Things (IoT)

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com