ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710
International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly, Peer Reviewed Journal)
Visit: [Link]
Vol. 8, Issue 5, May 2019
Sun Tracking Solar Panel Using ATMEGA328
Microcontroller
Pavan Badarinath
U.G. Student, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, BNM Institute of Technology,
Bangalore, India
ABSTRACT: Solar energy is fast becoming a very important means of renewable energy resource. With solar
tracking, it will become possible to generate more energy since the solar panel can maintain a perpendicular profile to
the rays of the sun. This paper will discuss the design and construction of a prototype for solar tracking system. Light
Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are used for sunlight detection. The control circuit is based on an ATMega328
microcontroller. It was programmed to detect sunlight via the LDRs before actuating the servo to position the solar
panel. The solar panel is positioned where it is able to receive maximum light. There are types of solar cells with
relatively higher efficiencies but they tend to be very costly. One of the ways to increase the efficiency of solar panels
while reducing costs is to use tracking. Through tracking, there will be increased exposure of the panel to the sun,
making it have increased power output. In terms of costs and whether or not the system is supposed to be implemented
by those that use solar panels, the system is viable. The increase in power is considerable and therefore worth the small
increase in cost. Maintenance costs are not likely to be high.
KEYWORDS: Solar Tracker, Light Detecting Resistor (LDR), Arduino, Atmega 328, Servo Motor.
I. INTRODUCTION
Solar energy is clean and available in abundance. Solar technologies use the sun for provision of heat, light and
electricity. These are for industrial and domestic applications. With the alarming rate of depletion of depletion of major
conventional energy sources like petroleum, coal and natural gas, coupled with environmental caused by the process of
harnessing these energy sources, it has become an urgent necessity to invest in renewable energy sources that can
power the future sufficiently. The energy potential of the sun is immense. Despite the unlimited resource however,
harvesting it presents a challenge because of the limited efficiency of the array cells. The best efficiency of the majority
of commercially available solar cells ranges between 10 and 20 percent. This shows that there is still room for
improvement. This project seeks to identify a way of improving efficiency of solar panels. Solar tracking is used. The
tracking mechanism moves and positions the solar array such that it is positioned for maximum power output. Other
ways include identifying sources of losses and finding ways to mitigate them. When it comes to the development of any
nation, energy is the main driving factor. Solar panels directly convert radiation from the sun into electrical energy. The
panels are mainly manufactured from semiconductor materials, notably silicon. Their efficiency is 24.5% on the higher
side. Solar tracking is a system that is mechanized to track the position of the sun to increase power output by between
30% and 60% than systems that are stationary. It is a more cost-effective solution than the purchase of solar panels.
There are various types of trackers that can be used for increase in the amount of energy that can be obtained by solar
panels. Dual axis trackers are among the most efficient, though this comes with increased complexity. Dual trackers
track sunlight from box axes. They are the best option for places where the position of the sun keeps changing during
the year at different seasons. Single axis trackers are a better option for places around the equator where there is no
significant change in the apparent position of the sun. The level to which the efficiency is improved will depend on the
efficiency of the tracking system and the weather. Very efficient trackers will offer more efficiency because they are
able to track the sun with more precision. There will be bigger increase in efficiency in cases where the weather is
sunny and thus favourable for the tracking system.
Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2019.0805062 5273
ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710
International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly, Peer Reviewed Journal)
Visit: [Link]
Vol. 8, Issue 5, May 2019
II. PROPOSED SYSTEM DESIGN
In this project include design and construction of an arduino based solar tracker. This solar tracker system uses the
arduino board, a servomotor, 2 LDR and 2 resistors to rotate the solar panel towards the sun or a source of light. In this
project LDR was selected since it has no polarity, and easy to interface with circuit, cheap, reliable and is described by
high spectral sensitivity, so that difference in high intensity is represented immediately by change in its resistance value.
The block diagram of proposed system as shown in figure 1.
Fig 1: Block Diagram of project.
In constructing the solar tracking system, LDRs are used to determine solar light intensity. The 2 LDRs are connected
to pin A0 and A1 on the board. One servo motor is used for rotation part. Usually the servo has a yellow wire that is
used to control the cycle and it must be associated on pin 9 on the board. When light falls on the LDR, its resistance
differs and a potential divider circuit is used to obtain corresponding voltage value from the resistance of LDR. The
voltage signal is sent to the microcontroller. Constructed on the voltage signal, a corresponding PWM signal is send to
the servo motor which origins it to rotate and finally attains a position where intensity of light falls on the solar panel is
maximum. The schematic diagram of proposed system as shown in figure 2.
Fig 2: Schematic of Solar Tracker Circuit.
In this project the angles are designed by finding which LDR is in shadow. For example, if high source is right with
respect to right LDR will receive maximum light and left LDR will be in shadow. The major components of this system
are as follows, Light dependent resistor, Arduino board, Servo motor, 10 k resistor.
Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2019.0805062 5274
ISSN(Online): 2319-8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347-6710
International Journal of Innovative Research in Science,
Engineering and Technology
(A High Impact Factor, Monthly, Peer Reviewed Journal)
Visit: [Link]
Vol. 8, Issue 5, May 2019
III. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Microcontroller Atmega328
Operating Voltage 5V
Input Voltage 7-12V Input Voltage (limits): 6-20V
Digital I/O Pins 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
Analog Input Pins 6
DC Current per I/O Pin 40 Ma
DC Current for 3.3V Pin 50 Ma Flash Memory :32 KB of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader
SRAM 2 KB EEPROM :1 KB
Clock Speed 16 Hz
IV. RESULTS
Result of this project is, when light falls on the LDR, its resistance varies and a potential divider circuit is used to
obtain corresponding voltage value (5v) from the resistance of LDR. The voltage signal is sent to the Arduino
microcontroller. Established on the voltage signal, a corresponding PWM signal is send to the servo motor which
causes it to rotate and to end with attains a position where intensity of light falls on the solar panel is maximum.
V. CONCLUSION
Solar trackers generate more electricity than their stationary counterparts due to an increased direct exposure to solar
rays. There are many different kinds of solar tracker, such as single-axis and dual-axis trackers, which can help us find
the perfect fit for our unique jobsite. Installation size, local weather, degree of latitude, and electrical requirements are
all important considerations that can influence the type of solar tracker that’s best for us. Solar trackers generate more
electricity in roughly the same amount of space needed for fixed tilt systems, making them ideal optimizing land usage.
Solar trackers are slightly more expensive than their stationary counterparts, due to the more complex technology and
moving parts necessary for their operation. Some ongoing maintenance is generally required, though the quality of the
solar tracker can play a role in how much and how often this maintenance is needed.
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Copyright to IJIRSET DOI:10.15680/IJIRSET.2019.0805062 5275