Name ID. No.

Ms. Rehana Akter ID: 102-296-511Mir Md Emam Uddin ID: 102-168-511Md. Jamil Uddin ID: 102-085-511Md. Mahbub Mehedi ID: 102-049-511

MD. Shariful Amran ID: 102-102-511

“Microcontroller based single axis solar tracker ”This Project is submitted fulfillment for the requirements of the

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Prepared By

Department of Electrical & Electronic EngineeringAtish Dipankar University of Science & Technology

(ADUST) Paltan Cumpas , Dhaka, Bangladesh

July, 2013

Introduction:

This is a solar tracking system which can be used as a

power generating method from sunlight. This method of

power generation is simple and is taken from natural

resource. This needs only maximum sunlight to generate

power. This project helps for power generation by setting

the equipment to get maximum sunlight automatically. This

system is tracking for maximum intensity of light. When

there is decrease in intensity of light, this system

automatically changes its direction to get maximum

intensity of light.

Objective:

The aim of our projects is to utilize the maximum solar

energy through solar panel. For this a digital based

automatic sun tracking system is proposed. This project

helps the solar power generating equipment to get the

maximum sunlight automatically thereby increasing the

efficiency of the system. The solar panel tracks the sun

from east to west automatically for maximum intensity of

light.

Renewable Energy:

Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural

processes that are continuously replenished.  This includes

sunlight, geothermal heat, wind, tides, water, and various

forms of biomass.  This energy cannot be exhausted

and is constantly renewed.

Renewable energy uses energy sources that are

continually replenished by nature the sun, the wind, water,

the Earth’s heat, and plants

Solar energy

Types of renewable energy:

Bio energy

Wind energy

Ocean energy

Geothermal energy

Hydrogen energy

Hydropower energy

Solar tracker:

A solar tracker is a device onto which solar panels are fitted which tracks the motion of the sun across the sky, thus ensuring that the maximum amount of sunlight strikes the panels throughout the day. There are many types of solar tracker. The two basic categories of trackers are single axis and duel axis.

Solar Photovoltaic’s (PV) system: Solar Photovoltaic's (PV) system is a method of generating electrical by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect.

single axis solar tracker

Single axis solar tracker:

Solar trackers can either have a horizontal or a vertical axis. The horizontal type is used in tropical regions where the sun gets very high at noon, but the days are short. The vertical type is used in high latitudes where the sun does not get very high, but summer days can be very long. In concentrated solar power applications, single axis trackers are used with parabolic and linear Fresnel mirror designs.

Dual axis solar tracker

Dual axis solar tracker:

Solar trackers have both a horizontal and a vertical axis and thus they can track the sun's apparent motion virtually anywhere in the world. CSP applications using dual axis tracking include solar power towers and dish (Stirling engine) systems. Dual axis tracking is extremely important in solar tower applications due to the angle errors resulting from longer distances between the mirror and the central receiver located in the tower structure.

Components of microcontroller based single axis solar tracker

Sl Name Capacity

1 Microcontroller PIC 16F84A

2 Oscillator 10 m-Hz

3 Transistor NPN BCF47

4 Resistor 56 k-ohm, 10 k-ohm, 1 k-ohm

5 Capacitor 22 PF

6 Relay 6 volt

7 Voltage regulator LM7805

8 Gear-motor

9 Pushbutton switch

Gear-motorWood board

PVC pipe

Circuit board

Prototype of the project

1.Sunrise "Wake- UpThe Track Rack begins the day facing west. As the morning sun rises in the east, it heats the un-shaded west-side canister with both..

2. Mid-Morning The Track Rack moved by the shifting weight of liquid flowing from one side of the tracker to the other through a copper tube that connects the east and west canisters. When one canister is exposed to the sun more than the other, its vapor pressure increases, forcing liquid to the cooler, shaded side.

3. SunsetThe Track Rack completes its daily cycle facing west. It remains in this position overnight until it is“awakened" by the rising sun the following morning.

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Block Diagram of Single axis solar tracker

Voltage regulator

Sensor Microcontroller Driver

DC Geared Motor

Solar panel Frame Axis

Schematic diagram of single axis solar tracker

Working principle:

The project is built using a balanced concept which is three signals from the different sensors are compared. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) as a light sensor has been used. The three light sensors are separated by divider which will create shadow on one side of the light sensor if the solar panel is not perpendicular to the sun. For the controlling circuit, microcontroller PIC16F84A acts as a brain that controls the movement of the motor via relay. Data received from the sensors and processed by the microcontroller. The microcontroller will send a data to the Bi-directional DC-geared motor via relay to ensure solar panel is perpendicular towards the Sun. Relay controls the rotation of the motor either to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise. The solar panel that attached to the motor will be reacted according to the direction of the motor.

Scope of 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.

Conclusion :

•Solar tracking systems are used to continually orient photovoltaic panels towards the sun and can help maximize the investment in PV system.•They are beneficial as the sun's position in the sky will change gradually over the course of a day and over the seasons throughout the year.•Advantages to using a tracker system like this will depend mainly on it's placement in determining how well it will increase the effectiveness of the panels.•Energy production is at an optimum and energy output is increased year round. This is especially significant throughout the summer months with its long days of sunlight available to capture and no energy will be lost.•For those with limited space this means that a smaller array only needs to be installed, a huge advantage for those smaller sites with only a small area to place solar tracker.

Thank you