Presentation On: "Dual Axis Solar Tracker"

RAJEEV INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HASSAN
Mini Project
presentation on
“Dual axis solar tracker”
Submitted by, Under the Guidance:-
Arshika Irram (4RA19EE003), Ms. Nishchitha B G,
Insha Shifa (4RA19EE008), Asst. Professor,
Raqeeb Mohammed Baig (4RA20EE415), Dept of EEE,
Shifa Firdose (4RA18EE022) R.I.T, Hassan
CONTENTS
1. Abstract. 9. Software required.
2. Problem statement. 10. Block diagram.
3. Methodology. 11. Circuit diagram.

12. Components explanation.
4. Why need solar energy.
13. Advantages & disadvantages.
5. Facts.
14. Financial impact of dual axis solar
6. Introduction of dual axis solar tracker. tracker.
7. Who does it work. 15. Future work of solar tracker
8. Hardware required. 16. Conclusion
INTRODUCTION:
• With the unavoidable shortage of fossil fuel sources in the future, renewable types of
energy have become a topic of interest.
• New types of energy that are getting attention include hydroelectricity, bioenergy, solar,
wind and geothermal energy, tidal power and wave power. Because of their renewability,
they are considered as favorable replacements for fossil fuel sources. Among those types
of energy, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is one of the most available resources.
• To maximize power output in areas that don’t receive a large amount of solar radiation,
we still need more advanced technologies to improve the system design and module
construction to make solar PV power more efficient. Aiming for that purpose, this project
had been carried out to support the development of such promising technology.
• One of the main methods of increasing efficiency is to maximize the duration of exposure
to the Sun. Tracking systems help achieve this by keeping PV solar panels aligned at the
appropriate angle with the sun rays at any time.
• The goal of this project is to build a prototype of light tracking system at smaller scale,
but the design can be applied for any solar energy system in practice at a larger scale.
Why need Solar Energy?
ABSTRACT:
• The goal of this thesis was to develop a laboratory prototype of a solar tracking system,
which is able to enhance the performance of the photovoltaic modules in a solar energy
system.
• The operating principle of the device is to keep the photovoltaic modules constantly
aligned with the sunbeams, which maximizes the exposure of solar panel to the Sun’s
radiation. As a result, more output power can be produced by the solar panel.
• The work of the project included hardware design and implementation, together with
software programming for the microcontroller unit of the solar tracker. The system
utilized an ATmega328P microcontroller to control motion of two servo motors, which
rotate solar panel in two axes.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
•The problem here is the solar panel is only in fixed installation. The fixed solar panels do
not aim directly to the sun due to the constant motion of earth. Because of this problem the
power that can be generated is low. The better solution for this system to get the maximum
output power is solar tracking system. This is the main reason the project solar tracker is
made.
•The solar tracker will follow the sunlight to get more output power. Indirectly it will reduce
the cost of buying more solar panels. These systems also reduce the time for users to change
the position of solar panel to face the sun.
•This solar tracking system can make a 180 degree of rotation. So the solar power that can be
generated here is very high compared to the static solar panel which stays only in one
direction.
• The aim of this project is ensure that sunlight rays are falling perpendicularly on the solar
panel to give the maximum solar energy which is harnessed into electrical power with the
maximum energy
METHODOLOGY:
• This solar tracking system will have three salient components: an Arduino Uno, Servo
Motors(SG90), LDR and a solar panel. The input stage is 4 LDRs which are part of
voltage divider circuit. A C-program loaded into IC ATMega328P microcontroller using
Arduino IDE software.
• All the parts are designed independently and then assembled into a solar tracking system.
Finally, a wooden frame is used to house the components required to execute the tracker.
• When the light is incident on the LDR which is integrated on the solar panel, the solar
panel rotates in the direction of light of the sun.
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of the project is to keep the solar photovoltaic panel perpendicular to the sun
throughout the year in order to make it more efficient. The tracking system has the
capability to always point the solar array toward the sun and can be installed in various
regions with minor modifications. The vertical and horizontal motion of the panel is
obtained by taking altitude angle and azimuth angle as reference.
How does it work?
• When sunlight incident on the solar tracker. it starts calculating and comparing that from
which direction the maximum intensity sunlight is coming. after comparing the panel
above the system start to move toward the maximum intensity so that the solar panel has
the maximum intensity and makes the maximum power.
Hardware Required Components:
1. Arduino uno
2. SG90 180 degree servo motor
3. 9V battery
4. 5mm LDR -4
5. Connecting wires
6. solar panel
7. 220 ohm resistor - 4
8. Bread board
Software required:
• Arduino IDE 1.8.15
Block diagram:
Charger controller battery
Servo motor 1 Solar panel Servo motor 2
LDR
Arduino
Power supply
Circuit Diagram of Solar Tracker:
Arduino Uno:
• The Arduino uno is a microcontroller board based on ATmega328. It has 14 digital
inputs/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, 16 MHz
Ceramic Resonator, a USB connection, a power jack and a reset button.
• It has a number of libraries, including one for servo motor control.
• The input supply needed is ideally 7-12V DC
SG90 micro Servo motors:
• Servo motors run using a control loop and require feedback of some kind.
• They are generally an assembly of four things: a DC motor, a gear set, a control circuit and a
position sensor(usually a potentiometer).
• Since servo motors have a control loop to check what state they are in, they are generally more
reliable than stepper motors.
• Servo motors require a control PWM signal that represents an output position and applies power
to the DC motor until the shaft turns to the correct position, determined by the position sensor.
• There are many advantages of using a servomotor, such as :
1. High intermittent torque.
2. High torque to inertia ratio.
3. High speeds.
4. Work well for velocity control.
5. Available in all sizes.
LDR:
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF LDR
• LDR works on the principle of photoconductivity
• Incident of light (photons) excites electrons of valance bands and
releases to shift to conduction band.
• More light incident on LDR decreases the resistance of LDR,
increasing more current when circuit is closed
Solar Panel:
• Its made up of a number of solar cells connected in series internally.
• Convert solar energy to electricity.
• Based on photo voltaic effect.
• Photo voltaic effect produces a change in electrical characteristics when

light is incident upon it.
220 ohm resister:
• 220ohm Carbon Film Resistors are typical axial-lead resistors,
• which have much better temperature stability and provide lower
noise,
• Generally better for high frequency or radiofrequency
applications.
Breadboard:
• A breadboard is a widely used tool to design and test circuit.
• You do not need to solder wires and components to make a circuit while using a bread
board.
• It is easier to mount components & reuse them.
• Since, components are not soldered you can change your circuit design at any point
without any hassle.
• It consist of an array of conductive metal clips encased in a box made of white ABS
plastic, where each clip is insulated with another clips.
• There are a number of holes on the plastic box, arranged in a particular fashion.
• A typical bread board layout consists of two types of region also called strips.
Advantages of Dual Axis Solar Tracker:
• Higher degree of flexibility.
• Allowing for a higher energy output on sunny days.
• Higher degree of accuracy in directional pointing.
• Maximum utilization of solar energy.
• No manual interruption is required.
• Increases the efficiency of solar power plant.
Disadvantages of Dual Axis Solar Tracker:
• Initial investment is high.
• Higher mechanical complexity, making it more likely for something to go wrong.
• Lower lifespan and lower reliability
• Unreliable performance in cloudy or overcast weather.
Financial Impact of Dual-axis solar Tracker:
• Because dual-axis tracking generates 40% more power from each panel, you can
achieve the same power output with fewer panels, frames and so on, which reduces
a project's upfront costs and offsets to a great extent the additional cost for tracking
hardware.
• On the other hand, you can use the same number of panels as originally planned
and generate 40% more power and higher revenues.
• This reduces the project's payback time and also increases the overall return on
investment (ROI), depending on the financial specifics of the project
Future work of solar tracker:
• Improving the mechanical structure.
• Improving the load carrying capacity.
• Putting solar panel with total system.
• Adjusting the gear ratio to decrease energy loss.
• Stopping the motors while there is no need of movement.
• Reducing the cost of mechanical structure.
Facts:
• India has emerged as the world number one, along with United States of America, in annual
solar power generation by virtue of the fifty solar power plants across the sub-continent. In
total we are generating over 1000 Megawatt of power.
• As well-known, Gujarat is the leader in Solar Power generation in India and accounts for
nearly 67% of total generation. Gujarat has commissioned Charanaka solar power plant
which when completed will be the Asia’s biggest solar power plant.
• Rajasthan comes next generating 20% of total solar power in India. Much of the solar power
is concentrated on the Thar Desert region which forms a good land base. A large project has
been proposed, and a 35,000 square kilometer area of the Thar Desert has been set aside for
solar power projects, sufficient to generate 700 to 2,100 GW.
• Karnataka has three solar power plants, Shivanasamudra (5MW), Kolar (3MW) and Itnal
(3MW).
• Bangalore has the highest number of rooftops solar power panels installed in India. It is
primarily used for heating water and works out to be convenient to use.
Conclusion:
• With Global Warming constantly affecting the world in numerous ways, it is essential we
begin taking care of nature in whatever way possible.
• Present day technologies stress on being clean and green.
• Being environmentally friendly, solar power generators and panels are reasonably easy, safe
and convenient to install.
• Hence enhancing the solar powered systems with intelligent trackers proves to be the
optimal solution for utilizing the available solar energy.
THANK YOU

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RAJEEV INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HASSAN

2. Problem statement. 10. Block diagram.

3. Methodology. 11. Circuit diagram.

Charger controller battery

Servo motor 1 Solar panel Servo motor 2

• Convert solar energy to electricity.

• Based on photo voltaic effect.

• Photo voltaic effect produces a change in electrical characteristics when

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