Solar Tracking System

Solar energy is rapidly gaining notoriety as an important means of expanding renewable energy resources. As such, it is vital that those in engineering fields understand the technologies associated with this area. This project includes the design and construction of a microcontroller-based solar pan

Project Title

Solar Tracking System

Project Area of Specialization

Robotics

Project Summary

Solar energy is rapidly gaining notoriety as an important means of expanding renewable energy resources. As such, it is vital that those in engineering fields understand the technologies associated with this area. This project includes the design and construction of a microcontroller-based solar panel tracking system. Solar tracking allows more energy to be produced because the solar array is able to remain aligned to the sun. This system builds upon topics learned in this course.

To make solar energy more viable, the efficiency of solar array systems must be maximized. A feasible approach for maximizing the efficiency of solar array systems is sun tracking. This is a system that controls the movement of a solar array so that it is constantly aligned towards the direction of the sun. Solar modules are devices that cleanly convert sunlight into electricity and offer a practical solution to the problem of power generation in remote areas. The solar tracker designed and constructed in this project offers a reliable and affordable method of aligning a solar module with the sun in order to maximize its energy output.

Automatic Sun Tracking System is a hybrid hardware/software prototype, which automatically provides best alignment of solar panel with the sun, to get maximum output (electricity) ideate the design. Problems and possible improvements will also be presented.

Project Objectives

If a solar cell is configured so that it faces the sun continually as it moves across the sky from east to west, the most electrical energy possible can be obtained. One way to do this, of course, is by hand. However, keeping a solar cell facing the sun throughout the day is not a very efficient use of a person’s time. Going outside to a solar cell every hour to turn it toward the sun might be possible, but this would still not be an efficient method. A photo sensor is employed to control the solar cell tracking system. For example, if the photo sensor is not aligned with sun rays, then it could turn on the motor until it is once again aligned. If the motor is attached to the frame holding the solar cell, then the solar cell could be moved to face the sun. As long as the photo sensor is in alignment with the sun, nothing happens. However, when the sun moves across the sky and is not in proper alignment with the photo sensor, then a motor moves the frame until the photo sensor is in the sun once more. This could have the effect of keeping the solar cell facing the sun as it moves across the required human attention. The solar tracker system includes a frame on which a solar cell could be mounted. The frame is to move so that it faces the sun as it travels across the sky during the day. The frame could be driven by an electric motor that turns on and off in response to the movement of the sky.

Project Implementation Method

We will progress in our project by making a plan of the design process, this design process plan is summarized in the flow chart. First, the hardware must be purchase, tested to make sure they operate perfectly. The solar test is tested to ensure that it produces the specified output power, the DC motor is tested by using a car battery. The Arduino Uno, relay module, and LDRs are tested separately, to ensure they work properly and prepare them for the actual use. Then the structure is to be designed and built with minimum cost. The final steps are hardware implementation, software implementation and evaluating the final product. The solar cell is to be mounted on the solar and the electric circuit to be connected together. Finally, the microcontroller is to be programmed based on the system that we need to construct.

Benefits of the Project

One of the most important problems facing the world today is the energy problem. This problem is resulted from the increase of demand for electrical energy and high cost of fuel. The solution was in finding another renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, potential energy...etc. Nowadays, solar energy has been widely used in our life, and it's expected to grow up in the next years.

Solar energy has many advantages:

1. Need no fuel

2. Has no moving parts to wear out

3. Non-polluting & quick responding

4. Adaptable for on-site installation

5. Easy maintenance

6. Can be integrated with other renewable energy sources

7. Simple & efficient

Tracking systems try to collect the largest amount of solar radiation and convert it into a usable form of electrical energy (DC voltage) and store this energy into batteries for different types of applications. The sun tracking systems can collect more energy than what a fixed panel system collects.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

There are several forms of tracking currently available; these vary mainly in the method of implementing the designs. The two general forms of tracking used are fixed control algorithms and dynamic tracking. The inherent difference between the two methods is the manner in which the path of the sun is determined. In the fixed control algorithm systems, the path of the sun is determined by referencing an algorithm that calculates the position of the sun for each time period. That is, the control system does not actively find the sun's position but works it out given the current time, day, month, and year. The dynamic tracking system, on the other hand, actively searches for the sun's position at any time of day (or night). Common to both forms of tracking is the control system. This system consists of some method of direction control, such as DC motors, stepper motors, and servo motors, which are directed by a control circuit, either digital or analog.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action

Required Resources

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