Mechanical structure of dual axis solar tracker system

Project Title

Mechanical structure of dual axis solar tracker system

Project Area of Specialization Mechanical EngineeringProject Summary

PROJECT SUMMARY:

Now a day’s solar power is very helpful in our everyday life. This power is used in many ways such as homemade electrical appliances, vehicles, satellites and industries etc. In simple terms this project’s objective is to have a solar panel outputting its maximum possible power all day long, this occurs when the panel tracks the sun and rotates the accordingly, to receive sunlight to the fullest extent always during the day time. With advancement of technologies the cost of renewable energy equipment is going down globally encouraging large scale solar plant installations. 

Project Objectives

PROJECT OBJECTIVES :

The preeminent goal of this project is to elucidate about the maximum power generation through solar tracking system and it has been noticed that the yield of solar cell is more than static tracking system. The furthermore supremacy add on points from our project is that it does not affect the environment, shrinkage the cost of fossil fuels. This proposal basically consists of two sections, software programming which is interlaced with hardware components. 

Project Implementation Method

 The project development has been undergone at indus University. The components of the project have been designed and analyzed using the resources provided by individual research, instructor input, and other available resources through the MET department.   3.a) Description    The construction of the device should consist of 15 major components, this is not including variable materials such as wires, electrical components, and so on. Also, the reference for each necessary drawing is also provided below in the description of the part:    • Part 1 (P1): Wood Platform   

• Part 2: Central Support Shaft   

 • Part 3: Support Beam/Columns 

 • Part 4: Base Cover 

   • Part 5: Battery 

 • Part 6: Microcontroller

   • Part 7: Arduino Uno 

 • Part 8: Stepped Motor 

 • Part 9: “Lazy Susan” Bearing 

 • Part 10: T-Platform 

 • Part 11: Mount Bearing 

• Part 12: 3 Connector Links

 • Part 13: Linear Actuator

    • Part 14 (P14): Panel Frame

   • Part 15 (P15): Sensor Housing   

     Initially, the base (SubAssembly 1) of the project will be starting point of construction to ensure be stability and establish boundaries for later components. This will consist of a rectangular wood base (P1) which will manufactured with mounting points. A hollow centra l support shaft (P2) and columns/walls (P3) will be the support for the sheet metal (P4) at the top of the base. This assembly will act as support for the moving parts above and as safety factor for the electrical system within in. The second subassembly will consist of the electrical system. The exact connections can be addressed on the work flow chart on appendix B5. The battery (P5), microcontroller (P6), Arduino uno (P7), and the stepper motor (P8) will all be encompassed within the base. A hole will b e drilled through the top sheet metal for the shaft clearance and then the gear of the motor will be place within a “Lazy Susan” bearing (P9). The bearing will be the bridge between the moving components and the stationary base. A “T” shaped steel/aluminum platform (P10) will mounted to the top of the bearing and serve as the base of the actuator and frame set up. For the last subassembly, a wood frame (P14,) will be constructed around the panel to prevent damage from drilling, and act as a safety precauti on in the event of actuator or link failure. At one end of the panel, the frame will be mounted to the platform using a manufactured bearing out of Aluminum T66061 attached to two aluminum links (P12) which will s (P11). The other end of the panel will be erve as the connection from the actuator (P13), which sits on the platform as well. A sensor housing (P15) that will be 3 center of the panel frame on the highest side.D 

Benefits of the Project

With the advancement of technology, the static Structure of PV system has far out of the Efficiency now the latest advancement is to structure will be movable with the sun which is dual axis access of structure.  

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The testing methods for the solar tracker will be based on the constraints set by the requirements and the performance predictions. As a recap, the requirements are listed below:  The device must meet the following constraints:

• Panel needs to maintain a perpendicular (90 degree) angle with direct sunlight, with a 1-3% tolerance. • Azimuthal axis needs to have a range of 180 degrees of rotation from any position

• Altitudinal axis provides an angle of declination of at least 45 degrees 

• Start to finish construction should take no more than 200 working hours.

• Absorb 23% more energy than a fixed solar panel. o Approx. 100 watts

• The fully constructed device will weigh no more than 100 lbs. 

 The most important constraints that relate to the performance of the device are related to the angle and tolerance of the axes, the system efficiency, and the dual-axes system compared to other systems. Each of these factors will be tested and evaluated critically, while the other constraints, such as weight, cost, and dimension will all generally be calculated by accumulation of the individual components and evaluated based on a pass-fail standard. The primary test will be evaluated based on their accuracy and precision in comparison to the performance prediction, and the comparison analysis. At this current point in the project it, a Fluke Multimeter is the primary tool that will need to be acquired prior to critical test.   The initial tests for the system’s drivers can be referenced in Appendix I. These tests are the foundation of operation for the system. L

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Agriculture , Others Core Technology RoboticsOther Technologies OthersSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	54000
Mechanical structure	Equipment	1	20000	20000
Linear motor	Equipment	2	7000	14000
Actuator	Equipment	2	6000	12000
Bearings	Equipment	2	500	1000
Nut Bolt	Equipment	20	100	2000
Miscellaneous	Miscellaneous	1	5000	5000