DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

SAHARSA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

SAHARSA- 852201 (INDIA)

A
PROJECT REPORT
on
DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKER
Submitted by
NEHA KUMARI
REGNO.-22103132036
ARTI KUMARI
REG NO.-22103132903
VISHVJIT KUMAR
REG NO.-21103132044
SAURABH KUMAR JHA
REG NO.-22103132901
 CONTENTS

1. Introduction of the dual-axis solar tracker. 10. Block diagram.

2. Why need solar energy. 11. Circuit diagram.

3. Abstract. 12. Components explanation.

4. Problem statement. 13. Advantages & disadvantages.

5. Methodology. 14. Financial impact of the dual-axis solar tracker.

6. Who does it work? 15. Future work of solar tracker

7. Objective. 16. Facts

8. Hardware required. [Link]

9. Software required.
 INTRODUCTION:

• With the unavoidable shortage of fossil fuel sources in the future, renewable types of
Energy has 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 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's rays at any time.

• The goal of this project is to build a prototype of a light tracking system at a smaller scale, but the design
can be applied to any solar energy system in practice at a larger scale.
 Why need Solar Energy?

• Easily Accessible

• Energy harnessed is free of cost

• Pollution free

• Available in infinite quantity

 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 panels 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 the motion of two servo motors, which rotate solar panels 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 at
the sun due to the constant motion of the 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 the 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 the 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 to 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, Servomotors (SG90), LDR
and a solar panel. The input stage is 4 LDRs which are part of the 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 into the solar panel, the solar panel rotates
in the direction of light of the sun.
 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 starts to move toward the maximum intensity
so that the solar panel has the maximum intensity and makes the maximum power.
 OBJECTIVES:

• the project aims to keep the solar photovoltaic panel perpendicular

to the sun throughout the year to make it more efficient.

• The tracking system can 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
 Hardware Required Components:

• 1. Arduino Uno • [Link]

• 2.SG90 180-degree servo motor

• 3. 9V battery

• 4. 5mm LDR -4

• 5. Connecting wires

• 6. solar panel

• 7. 220 ohm resistor – 4

 Software required:

• Arduino IDE 1.8.15

Block Diagram
Circuit Diagram of Solar Tracker
 Arduino Uno

• Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on ATmega328. It has 14 digital inputs/output pins (6 can
be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz Ceramic Resonator, a USB connection, a power
jack and a reset button.

• It has several 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.

• 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.
 WORKING PRINCIPLE OF LDR

• LDR works on the

• principle of photoconductivity

• Incident of light (photons) excites electrons of valance bands and releases

them to shift to the conduction band.

• More light incident on LDR decreases the resistance of LDR, increasing more
current when circuit is closed
 Solar Panel:

• It is made up of several 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 circuits.

• You do not need to solder wires and components to make a circuit while
using a breadboard.

• 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 consists of an array of conductive metal clips encased in a box made of white ABS plastic, where each
clip is insulated with another clip
• There are several holes in the plastic box, arranged in a particular fashion.

• A typical breadboard layout consists of two types of regions 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 plants.

 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 the 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 generated 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 panels with total system.
• Adjusting the gear ratio to decrease energy loss.
• Stopping the motors while there is no need for movement.
• Reducing the cost of mechanical structure.
 Facts:

• India has emerged as the world's number one, along with the United States of America, in annual solar
power generation by 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 the Charanaka solar power plant which when completed
will be Asia’s biggest solar power plant.
• Rajasthan comes next generating 20% of total solar power in India. Much of the solar power is concentrated
in the Thar Desert region which forms a good land base. A large project has been proposed, and a 35,000
square kilometre 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 rooftop 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 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!

Feel free to ask any questions!