Synopsis of Minor Project

(Solar Tracking System for Maximum Power

Generation)

Avinash Kumar

ABSTRACT

Solar energy is rapidly advancing as an important means of

renewable energy resource.
Solar tracking enables more solar energy to be generated
because the solar panel is able to maintain a perpendicular
profile to the suns rays.

The main objective of this project is the construction of a

prototype for an automatic solar tracking system which detects
the sunlight using LDR in order to maximize in harvesting solar
power and also to display the voltage generating from the solar
panel.

INTRODUCTION
Energy is the prime factor for the development of a nation. An
enormous amount of energy is extracted, distributed,
converted and consumed in the global society daily. 85% of
energy production is dependent on fossil fuels. The resources of
the fossil fuels are limited and their use results in global
warming due to emission of greenhouse gases. To provide a
sustainable power production and safe world to the future
generation, there is a growing demand for energy from
renewable sources like solar, wind, geothermal and ocean tidal
wave.
Solar panels directly convert solar radiation into electrical
energy.
Solar panel is mainly made from semiconductor materials.
Si used as the major component of solar panels, which is
maximum 24.5% efficient.

Block diagram description of the automatic

solar tracking system

Solar
Plate

Stepper
Motor

Motor
Driver

LDR
SENSOR 1

ADC

MICROCONTOL
LER

ADC

LDR
SENSOR 2

SOLAR PANEL -is a photo voltaic cells which converts the sun
radiation into a direct current.

ADC - receives the analog output from LDRs and solar panel
It converts them to digital form.

These digital signals are given to the microcontroller.

MicrocontrollerAT89S52 is 8-bit microcontroller from Atmel Semiconductors.

This comes into 8051 family microcontroller.
This is the heart of the project.
The complete control logic program is stored in this
microcontroller. It sends and receives control and data signals
to LCD, Stepper motor and to the other Devices based on the
program logic.

Working:
1)The system focuses on the controller design where the
system is able to track the maximum intensity of Sunlight.
2)When the intensity of Sunlight is decreasing, this system
automatically changes its direction to get maximum intensity of
Sunlight.
3)LDR light detector acts as a sensor is used to trace the
coordinate of the Sunlight by detecting brightness level of
Sunlight.
4)While to rotate the appropriate position of the panel, a DC
motor is used.

5)The system is controlled by a micro- controller as a main

processor.

COMPARISION OF EXISTED METHODS

AND PROPOSED METHOD
EXISTED METHODS

PROPOSED
METHODS

Solar panels are fixed

Movable Solar panels.

The system cant

automatically change its
direction to get
maximum power at
output.

The system automatically

changes its direction to get
maximum power at output.

Low efficiency

Accuracy is less.

The available annual

energy to fixed trackers
is considerably low.

High efficiency
Highly accurate.
The annual energy available
to the automatic tracker is
72% higher.

Advantages of Sun Tracking Solar Panel:

The solar energy can be reused as it is non-renewable resource.

This also saves money as there is no need to pay for energy used.

Sun Tracking Solar Panel Applications:

1.

These panels can be used to power the traffic lights and streetlights

2.

These can be used in home to power the appliances using solar power.

3.

These can be used in industries as more energy can be saved by rotating the
panel.

Limitations of Sun Tracking Solar Panel Circuit:

1.

Though solar energy can be utilized to maximum extent this may create
problems in rainy season.

2.

Although solar energy can be saved to batteries, they are heavy and occupy
more space and required to change time to time.

3.

They are expensive.