DESIGN AND SIMULATION OF DUAL-AXIS

SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS

Muhammad Maidugu Aji Bawa Garshima Gamiya Aisha Temitope Olomowewe
Department of Computer Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Computer Engineering
Nile University of Nigeria Nile University of Nigeria Nile University of Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
2021 1st International Conference on Multidisciplinary Engineering and Applied Science (ICMEAS) | 978-1-6654-3493-5/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICMEAS52683.2021.9692361

Franco Adavize Ohikere Saratu Suleiman Umar Sadiq Thomas

Department of Computer Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Computer Engineering
Nile University of Nigeria Nile University of Nigeria Nile University of Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria Abuja, Nigeria
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— Photovoltaic (PV) devices are now increasingly being its processing, transmission and conservation are substantial [7].
deployed all over the globe. However, a fixed PV module is usually Consequently, with the rise in the abundance of solar radiation
used in installations, utilizing pre-specified angles obtained through hitting the planet, it is critical that such an indispensable resource
geographical positioning. Thus, due to the variance in solar be used in an effective and productive manner in different areas
energy as the day and the seasons a year changes, the power
produced by PV systems drops dramatically. This paper suggests
of existence. Nonetheless, electrical power obtained by a
the design, simulation of a dual-axis solar tracker where the solar Photovoltaic module, which is unreliable, includes multiple
module easily moved on two (2) axis of rotation to monitor the sun's internal and external factors. In specific, the PV conversion
progress from east to west and from north to south in order to device does have low performance and very sensitive to
optimize solar energy generation. The tracking system is configured temperature, specifically in tropical and sub – tropical [8].
as an adaptive tracking system based on closed-loop monitoring,
and the use of Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensors as device II. DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS.
inputs, servo motors as module adjusters, Arduino Uno as the brain
of the system. Voltage, current and power readings collected at
Holding the PV modules perpendicular to that same sun's rays
alternate time of the day from the dual-axis Solar Tracker and increases overall performance. The solar incidence angle is
compared with readings obtained from stationary solar module at defined as the angle from which the solar ray hits the surface of
same time when the reading of the other module was taken. The the PV module. The closer the angle of incidence to 900 the better
results showed that the method of automated solar tracking is the power obtained [6]. When a PV module or system is rotated
accurate and effective. The electricity produced by the proposed over during the day to face the sun, its power generation rises
tracking device has an average increase of approximately 26-27%
more than the fixed PV system.
[9]. To track the sun movement, there are several concentrated
solar power obtaining techniques, such as stationary, single-axis,
Keywords—Arduino Uno, Dual-axis, Light Dependent Resistors and dual-axis solar energy [6]. When mapping results, the
(LDR), Renewable energy, Servo motor, Solar tracker. direction of the module with regards to the tracking axes is
essential.
I. INTRODUCTION The single-axis modules are categorized into: Horizontal single-
Assimilation of renewable energy is significantly increasing in axis tracker (HSAT), vertical single-axis tracker (VSAT), tilted
vital challenges and reflects on current power systems, in single-axis tracker (TSAT) and polar single-axis tracker
addition to conventional energy sources, green energy sources (PASAT). TSAT at an inclined angle of 5° escalates the yearly
have become more prominent energy sources, supporting the sampled output up to 10% in comparison to HSAT which also
grid with an increasing need for environmental growth and boost the yearly sampled radiation up to 15% as compared to
stability [1]. Renewable technology is thus progressively VSAT, finally PASAT’s annual radiation collected raised up to
adopted in power generation from domestic to industrial scale 10% in increment as compared to HSAT [5].
[2]. The power generation (electricity) globally is predicted to Thus, the most solar energy that will be collected by
rise to almost 45 trillion kWh by 2050 from Sources of Green a single axis
Energy [3]. Nigeria should be able to satisfy any potential is the PASAT or TSAT design. Perhaps by exploring, we expe
demand growth without increasing its dependency on non-
ct that this experiment would greatly increase the efficiency of
renewable resources by incorporating energy management,
power generation using a dual-axis solar tracking device [10].
recycling, and renewable energy resources (alternative fuels) [4].
It is essential to see solar energy as the cornerstone underneath Dual-axis trackers usually have components that maintain
multiple renewable sources of electricity. It controls orientation to the other turning axis. Dual-axis trackers have
hydropower, in which the sun influences the hydrological optimal amounts of solar energy, thanks to their intelligence in
current, and wind energy, at which air circulation is attributed to perfectly pointing the exact position with the highest sun rays in
the sun's warming impact on the air. Via solar energy conversion, both directions. Irrespective of the Sun's location in the
kinetic energy, chemical energy, electrical energy and heat will atmosphere, dual-axis trackers can indeed be angled to be in
typically be generated. Solar radiation should, in principle, be regular contact with the Sun, meaning they can virtually track the
viewed as an optimal source [5]of energy since it is free and actual motion of the sun at any location in the world [10]. Dual-
nearly infinite. Photovoltaic (PV) panels have been the most axis tracking systems moves freely around elevated and
famous, which silicon solar cells converting radiation from the azimuthal axes. Generally, these trackers have the highest
sun to electric power [6]. Nevertheless, the technical obstacles to

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throughput, provided that the modules themselves have great Thus, the optimum performance of the photovoltaic module (PV)
precision. The monitoring device provides an average of 20% - is not utilized by the single-axis PV modules, while the dual-axis
30% more energy output than that of the static PV module [11]. tracking will guarantee the cosine efficiency of one. The active
trackers monitor the sun's variation in light intensity accurately.
III. PREVIOUS WORK Consequently, the overall power gain is very high. [15].
A. Finster E. Hamilton
The very first tracking system was totally mechanical which Hamilton developed and built a solar tracker based on a micro-
was launched, by Finster in the year 1962, the following year, controller in his thesis that tilt the set in two sides using two
Saavedra provided a system with Electronic automated motors. The system was programmed to scan plus enhance
monitoring, used to direct and monitor the Eppley pyrheliometer sensors data and to digitally contrast the data to decide the
[12]. precise location of the sun, to trigger the stepper motors
positioning. A pyramid with four (4) side, solar cells added to
B. Al-Mohamad either side of the device as the sensor. C language was used in
To examine the increase in the regular electrical output of a programming the microcontroller. Both in the open as well as in
photovoltaic (PV) system, A single-axis solar tracker based on a the lab, the system was tested using a portable source of light
programmable logic control unit (PLC) was developed by Al- arranged at 16 locations inside a spherical region. The findings
Mohamad to investigate the improvement of the regular revealed that highest energy was gathered during the day by the
throughput capacity of a photovoltaic (PV) panel. To solar tracker, while excess power was gathered by the
create shade to one of them, dual photo-resistive sensors were static system only if the sun reached overhead [16]. The location
kept separate by a boundary. The sensor's resistivity reduces as of the sun throughout the day is constantly calculated by the
solar intensity boosts. The unit's two output signals are wired to sensors during continuous tracking. To adjust the mounting
the PLC's analog-input and compared to create the right output device, the sensors will activate the motor or actuator so the
signal to trigger the sun-tracking device. The tracker searches photovoltaic (PV) module will continuously track the sunray
east-west at an angle of around 120 °. A suitable application for throughout. When the sun is indeed not directly in perpendicular
managing, recording and gathering data was created for the PLC with the tracker, so one of the sensors would experience a
using specialized software. Utilizing Visual Basic, a specific difference in intensity of light relative to the other. In order to be
software was created for automatically detecting the computer perpendicular to the light, this disparity can be used to determine
communication with RS-232. The sun tracker's output in which way the tracker should be inclined. Except on very
(performance) was measured and tracked. In the morning and overcast weather where it is difficult for the sensors to locate the
evening hours of the day, the electricity generation showed a sun in the sky, this tracking mechanism made of this form of sun
significant improvement. Particularly, in the monitoring mode, tracking is reliable. Not like the active/continuous tracker that
the average change surpassed 40% for the duration from 6:00 to decides the location of the sun in atmosphere, in response to the
10:00 and between 15:00 to 17:00. Around mid-day, disparity of strain, passive trackers alternate between two
nevertheless, the increase was around 2-4 %. Compared with a location at both sides of the sensor. The difference is triggered
static module, the total average gain over the entire day was by the heat from sun producing gas pressure on a "compressed
higher than 20% [13]. gas, driven in one direction or the other, with a low boiling
point," where it then shifts the system. This sun detection system,
C. Konar et al. however, is not precise [16].
Single-axis microprocessor-based solar tracker system was
developed by Konar et al. to use in photo-voltaic (PV) panels or
with parabolic reflectors. It has been efficiently rotated on a F. Mwithiga et al.
single-axis and smartly controls the azimuth's direction with A dryer with restricted sun-tracking potential that was manually
another axis. They observed that the energy collected is primarily controlled was built and constructed by Mwithiga et al. The dryer
stored by such a monitoring system and appears to be was made of a soft, flat, 20-steel absorber plate shaped into a
independent of site factors, geographical areas and temporal topless box. The dryer was mounted to a shaft that was installed
differences, for example. [14]. on a platform in order to face the east-west direction. The
D. Kalogirou selector disk on the stand enabled the tilt angle of the horizontal
dryer to be conveniently changed at intervals of at least 15°. With
A single axis Solar Tracker has been developed by Kalogirou that method, the collector plate could be balanced continuously
which consists of three light-dependent LDR which served as to follow the sun throughout the day. Four sets of dryers were
sensors and a DC motor which will rotate the tracker. The sensor designed to follow the sunlight. The dryer was positioned at an
detects the direct rays; the other was a “cloud sensor” and the inclination of 60° to the horizontal plane facing east at 8:00 a.m.
third was a daylight sensor. The control method consisted of a The orientation of the dryer was changed horizontally either one,
relay, a timer, a number of resistors and electrical components. three, five or nine times per day, when either coffee beans was
If one of the three (3) sensors was partly blocked, the engine used to fill it or not. The findings revealed that solar dryer can
would shut down. The computer follows the sun in the east-west dry grains quickly. The drying of coffee beans could be reduced
coordinate and the collector's effective rotating speed was to 2–3 days, as compared to sun-drying without a monitoring
0.011rpm. The control mechanism was very detailed in device, that requires 5–7 days, indeed the temperature within the
numerous experiments performed by the solar panel. [15]. container reached 70.4 °C [17]. A chronological tracker is a
However, the planet follows a complex movement made up of tracking system focused on time in which the system is shift at a
daily and annual movements. Regular motion helps the sun to constant pace during the day for several months. The
shine everyday over the earth in the east-west direction, while motor/actuator is then operated to turn in a gradual rate, which is
annual motion induces the sun to tilt at a certain angle as it moves average of the revolution per day (15°/hour) which is more
in the east-west direction. [15]. Sun tracking is better energy-efficient method of monitoring the solar tracker. [17].
accomplished as the angle of inclination of the solar tracking
devices is matched with yearly shifts in the angle of the sun. The G. Edwards
perfect tracker will cause the photovoltaic panels to be oriented Edwards looked at the application of a computer-based solar
in the exact direction of the sun, ability to compensate both shifts tracker for parabolic collectors. The machine processor adjusts
in the elevation tilt of the sunrays and the sun's orientation offset. the
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frequentapply.
intervals
throughout the day. It is seen that the device needs an output data
from the control center with only 500 bit/s for ten thousand
collectors for reliable sun follow-up [18].
IV. METHODOLOGY
In this section it would be stated how the dual-axis solar tracker
works. Arduino Sketch is used for the software programming.
For schematic diagram and simulation, Proteus IDE was used.
Fritzing was used to design a schematic diagram that looked
more like real wiring. Below list all the components for the
design:
1. Solar panel.
2. Arduino Uno
3. 4x LDR circuit
4. 2x Servo motors
Fig. 3. Proteus design of the tracker.
5. 9V Battery

V. RESULT
The readings obtained on a stationary solar module and a
dual-axis solar tracker were compared and contrasted.

TABLE I. MEASUREMENT OF VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND POWER

OBTAINED AT DIFFERENT TIME OF THE DAY FROM SOLAR PANEL IN
STATIONARY POSITION AND A DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKER.
Fig. 1. Connection for dual-axis solar tracker. S TIME VF(V) VD(V) CF(A) CD(A) PF(W) PD(W)

The LDRs are fixed to the solar panel and then linked to the 1 7:30am 15.8 18.8 1.6 1.8 24.4 34.6
2 10:00am 19.3 21.6 1.9 2.1 36.7 45.9
Arduino Uno's analog pins. The microcontroller on the board 3 12:00pm 21.1 21.8 2.1 2.1 43.8 46.6
compares the LDRs of the pair and allows either servo motor to 4 3:00pm 19.5 21.7 1.9 2.1 37.5 46.4
rotate in the correct direction with the correct output pin. The 5 5:30pm 18.3 21.3 1.8 2.1 33.0 44.6
microcontroller will wait for a period of 3 seconds and check all 6 6:30pm 15.6 18.8 1.5 1.8 24.0 34.8
the LDRs for the level of radiation and make the right decision.
This method is performed in a near loop and a potentiometer is VF – VOLTAGE FROM STATIONARY MODULE
also used to change the difference between the LDRs to be VD– VOLTAGE FROM DUAL-AXIS TRACKER
obtained for the microcontroller to make a decision. When LDR1 CF – CURRENT FROM STATIONARY MODULE
and LDR2 are greater than LDR3 and LDR4. The motor1 will
CD – CURRENT FROM DUAL-AXIS TRACKER
move to UP, when LDR1 and LDR2 are smaller than LDR3 and
LDR4 the motor1 will move to DOWN. When LDR1 and LDR3 PF – POWER FROM STATIONARY MODULE
are greater than LDR2 and LDR4 the motor2 will move PD – VOLTAGE FROM DUAL-AXIS TRACKER
CLOCKWISE, when LDR1 and LDR3 are smaller than LDR3
and LDR4 the motor4 will move to COUNTER-CLOCKWISE.
Motors will stop when LDR1, LDR2, LDR3 and LDR4 are
equal.

Fig. 2. Arrangement of LDRs on the module.

Fig. 4. Graph of Voltage from fixed PV module and Dual-axis solar tracker

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