Optimization of photovoltaic energy by a microcontroller (original) (raw)

Microcontroller-Based Application for Solar Energy Collection Optimization

2017

This paper describes an investigation into a complete design of a self-rotated single-axis solar tracking system based on microcontroller for maximum solar energy collection. The energy collection can in general be optimized through the use of an efficient tracking system which rotates the solar panel. Through photovoltaic cells, solar panel energy output is maximized when the panel is directly facing the sun direction. In addition to practical implementation, two major activities are presently described, the first being the hardware design and the second being the software development. The work undertaken involves the use of light dependent Microcontroller-Based Application for Solar Energy Collection Optimization ـــ ـ ـــ ـــــــــــ University Bulletin – ISSUE No.19Vol. (3) – July 2017. 50 photo-resistors where the tracker responds to the sensed sun light intensity to situate the panel in an optimal location to capture solar rays efficiently. Then by implementing a programmed mi...

A Solar Radiation Tracker for Solar Energy Optimisation

The need to produce readily accessible, pollution free natural energy such as solar energy has been drawing increasing attention globally. This is due to energy demand, global environmental protection, fast growing population and diminishing resources of grid supply. Effective utilisation of solar energy requires tracking of the sun. In this paper, we proposed a hybrid hardware/software embedded PIC16F877A microcontroller-based dynamic dual axis tracking system. It utilises the solar panel itself as a sensor to determine which part of the sky delivers the most power to the load using stepper motors for alignment. Employing control software, the system automatically controls the PV panel to receive maximum solar energy all day. The PIC16F877A microcontroller, two M42SP-7 stepper motors, two ULN2003 stepper motor drivers, two gear drives and a 10 Watt 12 V monocrystalline solar panel were employed in the hardware design. Programming of the hardware was conducted using mikroBasic software. Cost analysis of the design yielded GH ¢ 522.69 (US $ 124.45). The resulting sun tracking system is therefore cost effective and will go a long way to help rural electrification as well as reduce the burden on grid supply.

Intelligent Sun-Tracking System for Efficiency Maximization of Photovoltaic Energy Production

This paper focuses on the optimization of the electric energy production by photovoltaic cells through the development of an intelligent sun-tracking system. The developed tracking system is innovative in relation to the usual sun tracking systems available in the market. In fact, the developed solution has many advantages in relation to similar existing devices, as this system is autonomous regarding the information needed to process the optimal orientation and is intelligent in a way that it performs on-line monitoring of the photovoltaic energy production. An experimental prototype was built and field results have proven the good performance of the developed tracking system.

Optimization of Solar Energy Using Solar Tracking System

Solar energy is the most abundant stream of energy. It is available directly as solar isolation and indirectly as wind energy. Solar energy has the sources of renewable energy. Its potential is 178 Billion MW, which is about 20,000 times the world’s demand. Sun sends out energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The solar cells receive the solar energy. The solar cells operate on the photo-electric energy by using solar cells principle. The energy from the photo voltaic cells is used to switch on the lights. At present solar electric power generation systems are having fixed solar panels whose efficiency of generation is less. The aim of the project is to introduce the SOLAR TRACKING to the existing fixed solar panels, thus we are maintaining the constant maximum power output. Thus by using this tracking system we can increase the conversion efficiency of the solar electric power generation. For this tracking purpose we use a sensor and the input from the sensor is given to the micro controller and according to the program the panel is fixed to the maximum intensity position. Here we are using PIC micro controller. The 16F877 is a low-power, high-performance CMOS 8-bit microcontroller with 4K bytes of Flash Programmable and Erasable Read Only Memory (PEROM). The opto-coupler used is to provide isolation between the micro controllers to the sensor circuits.

Microcontroller Based Solar tracking System for enhancing efficiency of a Photovoltaic system

In today‟s scenario of increasing energy needs, there is a huge dependence on renewable energy sources along with the conventional sources. One of the most important renewable energy resources is the sun. However, the problem with solar power is that it is directly dependent on light intensity. To produce the maximum amount of energy, a solar panel must be perpendicular to the light source. Because the sun moves both throughout the day as well as throughout a year, a solar panel must be able to follow the sun‟s movement to produce the maximum possible power. There are a large number of methods available for solar tracking and hence maximizing the output .This paper proposes an Arduino Uno microcontroller board based solar tracking system. As compared to the conventional solar panels, the one mounted with microcontroller based tracking system will give enhanced output.

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

Single Axis Sun Tracking Photovoltaic system using Microcontroller

When it comes to energy resources, the question of sustainability always arises as a major deciding factor. It is important that resources provide enough energy to meet our needs lighting homes, empowering our cities, and driving our cars. However, it is also important to consider how these resources can be used in the long run. Some resources will never run out. These are known as renewable resources. Renewable resources also produce clean energy, which means less pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Solar energy is gaining importance as a major source of renewable energy among the other sources. Solar tracker system helps us in generating electrical energy from sunlight by using photovoltaic solar cells. The amount of power generated can be increased by aligning the panels according to the position of the sun. Maximum amount of energy can be harnessed when the orientation of the solar panels is perpendicular to the incident radiation. In this...

Solar tracker platform development for energy efficiency improvement of photovoltaic panels

International Review of Applied Sciences and Engineering, 2019

Solar energy systems have emerged over the last decades as the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy resources available worldwide. Solar trackers are devices specially developed to enhance the energy efficiency of solar energy systems. This paper presents the design and implementation stages of a reconfigurable hardware technology-based two-axis solar tracker platform, specially conceived to improve the energy efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The main module of this platform is the NI MyRIO ready-to-use development system built upon a high-performance Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processor that controls the entire solar tracker unit. Optimal tracking of the sun movement and obtaining the maximal energy efficiency rate is achieved by simultaneous real-time controlling both the captured sunlight intensity and PV cell temperature magnitudes. In this way, a robust and versatile positioning system has been developed that performs a high precision and accurate tracki...

Design of a Solar Tracking System for Improving Solar Photovoltaic Efficiency

The aim of this work is to develop a microcontroll er-based solar tracking system and assess the value of using single and dual-axis solar trackers as means for improving the performance of photovoltaic generation systems. Two experimental test setups were designed, implemented and used to collect the evaluation results at a site that is located at 28° N latitude, 31° E longitude. One of the test setups included a monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panel that is fixed at a reference inclination angle of 28° with respect to the horizon, and facing due south. Whereas, the other experimental setup included an identical photovoltaic panel that is equipped with a solar tracking system, which enables it to continuously follow the sun trajectories. The solar tracking syst em has been designed and developed using a set of light dependent resistors (LDR) serving as solar radiation intensity sensors and an Arduino microcontroller (RB-Ard-11) on which the tracking algorithm was programmed. This study showed that the net power produced by the photovoltaic panel increased by about 23.15% and 29% when equipped with single-axis and dual-axis solar tracker, respectively, as compared to the reference case of a fixed mount panel.