A Solar Radiation Tracker for Solar Energy Optimisation (original) (raw)

Design and Implementation of Microcontroller Based Automatic Solar Radiation Tracker

Solar energy is rapidly becoming an alternative means of electricity source. Fossil fuels are seriously depleting, thus the need for alternative energy sources is a necessity. To make effective use of solar energy, its efficiency must be maximized. A feasible approach to maximizing the power output of a solar array is sun tracking. This paper, therefore, presents the design and construction of a solar tracking system that positions the solar PV panel in proper orientation with the sun to always receive direct radiation. The prototype is designed around a programmed microcontroller which controls the system by communicating with the sensors and motor driver based on the movement of the sun. Automatic Sun Tracking System is a hybrid hardware/software prototype, which automatically provides the best alignment of solar panel with the sun, to get maximum output (electricity). By doing this, the efficiency of the panel can be increased by as much as 15-25%.

Microcontroller Based Dual Axis Sun Tracking System for Maximum Solar Energy Generation

Solar energy is becoming a promising renewable energy technology. Conventional fixed solar panel with a certain angle limits there area of sun exposure due to rotation of Earth. The automatic solar tracking system solves this problem. In this paper a dual axis solar tracker is designed and implemented to track the sun in both azimuth and altitude axes by using an AVR microcontroller. The implemented system consists mainly of the ATmega 328 controller, DC motors, light sensors and relays. The results show that the designed low cost sun tracker increases the output power generation efficiency by 25-30 % as compared with the fixed panel systems. The effect of temperature and panel covering by colored cellophane, on the performance of the designed system is also studied. The temperature and the colored cellophanes decrease the output power of the solar panel.

Design and Implementation of Low Cost Dual Axis Solar Tracking System using Microcontroller

Journal of VLSI Design and Signal Processing, 2021

The phrase the sun is the source of all energy implies that solar energy is an essential element for the earth. Sun-powered vitality is fast becoming a substantial approach for renewable energy source assets. The sun is a plentiful source of vitality, and this sunpowered vitality may be effectively dealt with by employing sunlight-based photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic impact to convert sunpowered energy into electrical vitality. The solar tracking system maximizes the power generation of solar system by following the sun through panels throughout the day, optimizing the angle at which panels receive solar radiation. Compared to stable solar panels, a solar tracking system using solar panel linear actuators or gear motors can increase the efficiency of solar panels by 25% to 40%. The transformation efficiency of any sun-based application increases when the modules are consistently adjusted to the optimal edge as the sun crosses the sky. A dual-axis tracker allows panels to move on two axes, both north-south and east-west parallel. This paper presents the design and implementation of a dual-axis solar panel based on the Arduino microcontroller.

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATED SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM BY Saad Izhar

automated solar tracker, 2020

This project presents a Solar Tracking System with gear Motors and a controller circuit. The system consists of solar panel and the mechanical system that follow the direction of a sun by controlled by programming software. The purpose of this Solar Tracking System is to maximize the power generation from the photovoltaic panel. The hardware designs are of solar panel, motor controller circuit to control the motor and circuit converter comprised the voltage output from the solar panel is stabilized by circuit converter before to be used by application. Benefit of Solar power is pollution-free during use. Production end-wastes and emissions are manageable using existing pollution controls. PV installations can operate for many years with little maintenance or intervention after their initial set-up, so after the initial capital cost of building any solar power plant, operating costs are extremely low compared to existing power technologies. At the end we have provided a comparison between conventional solar panel and a solar panel with a solar tracker.

An efficient microcontroller based sun tracker control for solar cell systems

International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE), 2019

The solar energy is fast becoming a different means of electricity resource. Now in world Fossil fuels are seriously depleting thus the need for another energy source is a necessity. To create effective utilization of its solar, energy efficiency must be maximized. An attainable way to deal with amplifying the power output of sun-powered exhibit is by sun tracking. This paper presents the control system for a solar cell orientation device which follows the sun in real time during daytime. 1. INTRODUCTION The global warming problem has at present drawn worldwide public consideration to issues connected to energy preservation and alternate energy. A few energy preservation strategies, for example, energy, reusing and energy collecting procedures, have been proposed to lessen pointless vitality squander from commercial apparatus. What's more, elective energy, for example, wind, warm or sunlight based energy is renewable and addresses pollution issues. The solar energy introduces the benefits of low cost and contamination free qualities [1]. These are keys to comprehending compounding a global calamity crisis and decreasing ozone harming substance emanations. Along these lines, this renewable energy has been increasing expanding prevalence in various nations. Solar based energy in future to may be the most proficient decision as to energy generation. However, despite everything it exceeds different sorts of energy, for example coal, atomic, and gas, energy, since it causes zero contamination, and takes into consideration simple upkeep. In fossil fuel reserves day by day is very depleting and Price of fossil fuels is increasing very fast. This energy is very affected for our health, air population, environment, emission of the greenhouse [2]. So in the future, need several thoughts for electric energy. Some researchers they are getting alternative way for clean energy development. They are getting renewable energy (solar energy, wind energy, bio-mass energy) sources. So, solar energy is considered as one of the best renewable energy sources [3]. In solar energy the solar panel tracking system plays an important role in achieving maximum efficiency in solar power generation [4]. The sun tracker controls for solar cell systems plays an important role in achieving maximum efficiency in solar power generation [5]. The sun tracking systems needs an efficient controller and a stepper motor to maximize the power output from the solar panels. This Sun tracker control of solar cell systems, the process is occupied superior-intensity power [6]. The Sun-tracking system plays an important role in the development of solar energy applications, especially for the high solar concentration systems that directly convert the solar

A Microcontroller Based Dual Axis Tracking System for Solar Panel

2019 3rd International Conference on Electrical, Computer & Telecommunication Engineering (ICECTE)

Solar energy is one of the most promising renewable energy resources that recently have become broader in current technology. This paper presents the technique how Ohm’s law and power equation applies to generate more energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. To implement automatic dual axis and a polar single axis solar tracker system is used. It contains a locked vertical axis and a flexible horizontal axis, which is regulated by a motor. To get the maximum power output and highest efficiency, trackers always track the sun and change panel position accordingly. The tracker automatically changes its position after every 2 to 3 degrees of misalignment, to prevent the power loss created by running motor continuously. The light intensities of both sides were compared by the sensors and move the panels towards the light. The panel continuously moves until the tracker detects the equal light falls on both sides. This project helps to improve the solar irradiance of the panel.

Arduino Based Solar Tracking System as a Step towards Efficient Utilization of Clean Energy: A Review

International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET), 2023

Solar energy is a form of renewable energy that is generated through the use of solar panels. However, since solar panels are usually stationary, they don't always align with the sun's position as it changes throughout the day. This can result in lower energy output. To address this issue, a solar tracking system has been developed. A solar tracker is a system that automatically adjusts the position of the solar panel to track the sun's movement and maximize the power output. This paper reviews different types of tracking mechanisms used in solar tracking systems. There are two main types of solar trackers: singleaxis and dual-axis trackers. Single-axis trackers are suitable for areas around the equator where there is less variation in the sun's position. On the other hand, dual-axis trackers are better suited for regions where the sun's movement is tracked from east to west throughout the day and from east to north or south throughout the seasons. This paper aims to review various tracking mechanisms used in solar tracking systems. The objective is to explore different types of mechanisms that can improve the efficiency of solar panels by enabling them to constantly align with the sun's position.

An Intelligent Sun Positioning and Intensity Tracker System for Solar Panels with LCD Display

2015

Energy crisis is one of the most prevalent issues striking Nigeria's human and capital development sector. Solar energy is rapidly gaining the focus as an important means of expanding renewable energy uses. To ensure the use of the sun's energy at the maximum level a tracking system should be developed. Solar tracking system is the most appropriate technology to enhance the efficiency of the solar cells by tracking the sun. In this paper a microcontroller based sun tracking system is designed and developed to ensure that the solar panel is always parallel to the sun for maximum energy output. Light intensity detecting sensors were used to receive light rays and the signal processed through a microcontroller to rotate the solar panel towards the side with maximum intensity using the turning mechanism of a 5.2 degrees unipolar stepper motor. The LCD display was added to indicate the angular position in degrees, and a source code was written in assembly language for the prototy...

Dual Axis Solar Tracking System Using Pic Microcontroller

Increasing the efficiency of solar photo module is solar tracking system. This study presents the energy conversion of photo module with solar tracking system. This research is to development of an Automatic Solar Tracking System by using PIC microcontrollers and dc motor. To have solar systems energy more viable, the efficiency of solar array systems have to be maximized by follow the sun radiations using sun tracking systems. Our studies focuses on controls of the solar array movement towards the direction of the sun radiation. Automatic Sun Tracking System is a hybrid hardware/software prototype, which is automatically provides best alignment of solar panel with the sun, to get maximum electrical output power. Programmable Interface Controller (PIC) is widely accepted industrial control device. Simplicity, stand-alone, high speed, and low cost. In our study "PIC 18F452" is used which has a good range of features and the programmable language is relatively simple.