A Presentation On Dual Axis Solar Tracker Using Microcontroller

Presented By :-
Anil Kumar Kushwaha
Bhesh Sen
Likhendra Dhiwar
 ABSTRACT

Solar panel has been used increasingly in recent years to convert solar energy to electrical energy.
The earth receives 84 terawatts of power and our world consumes about 12 terawatts of power
per day. We are trying to consume more energy from the sun using solar panel. In order to
maximize the conversion from solar to electrical energy, the solar panels have to be positioned
perpendicular to the sun. Thus the tracking of the sun’s location and positioning of the solar panel
are important. The goal of this project is to design an automatic tracking system, which can locate
position of the sun. The tracking system will move the solar panel so that it is positioned
perpendicular to the sun for maximum energy conversion at all time. Photo resistors(LDR) will
be used as sensors in this system. The system will consist of light sensing system,
microcontroller, motor system, and a solar panel. Our system will output up to 40% more energy
than solar panels without tracking systems.
 CONTENTS

1.Definition of problem
2.Market solution
3.
 DEFINITION OF PROBLEM

•Today’s time solar cells are becoming extremely popular for utilizing solar energy to use in
different ways such as producing electricity, transportation, cooking etc

•So many solar panel have been installed all over the world and most of them are stable. They are
installed in the direction of maximum radiation of sunlight.

•Now the problem is that the sun is moving. So we cannot use the maximum radiation of sun all
the time. The position of maximum radiation receiving position only once in 24 hours.
 MARKET SOLUTION

•Solar tracker is the best solution for receiving maximum radiation.

•By moving the solar panel according to the movement of sun we can maximum sunlight or
radiation.
 Introduction

Solar tracker is a system which chase the sun during the day time as its rotate from east to west.
This tracker will increase the solar energy input to the panel and helps in producing more
electricity generation. The overall performance has been increased by 25-40%.

Why solar energy?

Easily accessible
Pollution free
Energy harnessed is free of cost
Available in infinite quantity

fig 1
 Types of
solar tracker

Single axis Dual axis

solar tracker solar tracker
 NEED OF SOLAR TRACKER
Sunlight has two components,
the "direct beam" that carries
about 90% of the solar
energy, and the "diffuse
sunlight" that carries the
remainder – the diffuse
portion is the blue sky on a
clear day, and is a larger
proportion of the total on
cloudy days. As the majority
of the energy is in the direct
beam, maximizing collection
requires the Sun to be visible
to the panels for as long as
possible.
•As the sun is available a day(24 hours) travel 360
degree,in which 180 degree during morning-
evening is visible.
•Due to some reason, the intensity is limited to
150degree approximately.
•When a solar panel is fixed, now it has to bear the
rise and fall extremes of 75 degrees and there is loss
of approximately 75%.
•Rotating panel help us to recover this loss.
•This is working of single axis solar tracker.
•Now during the entire year the sun moves 46
degree north-south .
•The panel is placed at mid moving east-west will
find the sun that moves 23 degree on each side
north-south.
•Now when it is able to track on dialy and depend
upon the other axis north-south is a dual axis solar
tracker
 NEED OF SOLAR TRACKER(cont.)

Direct power lost (%)

due to misalignment (angle i ) where
Lost = 1- cos (i)

i Lost
0 0%
1 0.015%
3 0.14%
8 1%
15 3.4%
30 13.4%
45 30%
60 >50%
75 >75%
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM

fig 2
FLOW CHART

SENSOR

POTENTIAL
DIVIDER
CIRCUIT(ADC)

MICROCONTROLLER

CONTROL SYSTEM

STEPPER MOTOR

SOLAR PANEL

CHARGE CONTROLLER

LOAD/BATTERY

Fig 3
 COMPONENTS

1.Light dependent resistor

2.Stepper motor
3.Solar panel
4.Microcontroller

Fig 4

Fig 7

Fig 5 Fig 6
 Working principle

•Sensor are used to trace the exact the location of the sun.
•A potential divider circuit is used to get the output from
the sensors(LDRs).
•In potential divider circuit we get the output voltage
corresponding to resistance of LDRs which is in turn the
function of light falling in the LDRs.
•The higher intensity of the light lower the resistance of
ldr and due to this light the output voltage lower and
when the lower intensity of the light higher the resistance
of ldr and due to this light the output voltage high.
•And now this is feedback to the microcontroller.
•The microcontroller process the input and give the Fig 8
output to the stepper motor derived IC.
•This will rotate the motor and we get the desired result.
 Application

•Street light application without using the normal supplies

•In remote areas implementing a small power system unit at each home.
•Use the system for heating the water.
•It can be used in vehicle for charging the battery.
•It can be used in solar pumps.
•Emergency power backup
 Advantages

•Simple
•Low cost
•Eco friendly
•Flexibility
•Tracking accuracy is more
•Reduce the usage of power from power grid
•One time investment which provide higher efficiency
 Disadvantage

•Initial investment is high

•Moving part such gear and motor need periodic maintenance
•Maintenance of electrical and mechanical parts require extra man power
•Solar electricity are not available at night and cloudy day
•Limited power supply
•Solar panel produce DC which is needed to be converted into AC for usage
 Future scope

Fabrication of microcontroller using ASIC concept will reduce the

wire
Design improvement
Mounting of the panel on the motor
 Conclusion

•With global warming constantly affecting the world in the numerous way it is essential to
begin take care of nature whatever if possible.
•Present day technologies stress on being clean and green.
•Being environmental friendly, solar power generators and panels are reasonably easy, safe and
convenient to install.
•Hence enhancing the solar powered system with intelligent trackers proves to be the optimal
solution for utilizing the available solar energy
 References

1. International journal of scientific and research volume 4,issue 6,june 2013

2. www.electronicslab.com
3. www.wikipedia.com
4. www.8051projects.com
5. www.studymore.com
 IMAGINE EXPLORE

DEVELOP

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