MOTORLESS SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

A project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the Requirements

for the award of
Bachelor of Technology
in
MECHANICAL ENGINERING
Submitted by

GORIJAVOLU NIKHILESWAR - 21BQ1A0320

GARIKAPATI JEEVAN - 21BQ1A0317

GOGINENI SAI GANESH - 21BQ1A0319

CHOUTAPALLI HEMANTH - 21BQ1A0311

Under the Esteemed Guidance of

Dr. T. SRINIVASA RAO, M.E., Ph.D.

HEAD & Professor

(AUTONOMOUS)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

VASIREDDY VENKATADRI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
(Autonomous, Approved by AICTE and affiliated to JNTUK)
Accredited by NAAC with an ‘A’ Grade
NAMBUR (V), PEDAKAKANI (M), GUNTUR-522508

I
 VASIREDDY VENKATADRI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
(Autonomous, Approved by AICTE and affiliated to JNTUK)
Accredited by NAAC with an ‘A’ Grade
NAMBUR (V), PEDAKAKANI (M), GUNTUR-522508

(AUTONOMOUS)

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this project work entitled “MOTORLESS SOLAR

TRACKING SYSTEM” is the bonafied work of G. Nikhileswar (21BQ1A0320), G. Jeevan
(21BQ1A0317), G. Sai Ganesh (21BQ1A0319), CH. Hemanth (21BQ1A0311), partial
fulfilment for the award of Bachelor of technology in Mechanical engineering to be
awarded by the JNTU Kakinada, During the academic year 2024-2025.

Dr. T. SRINIVASA RAO, M.E, Ph.D Dr. T. SRINIVASA RAO, M.E, Ph.D
PROJECT GUIDE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

EXTERNAL EXAMINER

II
 DECLARATION

We, G. NIKHILESWAR (21BQ1A0320), G. SAI GANESH (21BQ1A0319),

G. JEEVAN (21BQ1A0317), CH. HEMANTH (21BQ1A0311) lV Year ll semester
B-Tech., hereby declare that the project titled “MOTORLESS SOLAR TRACKING
SYSTEM” is a work done by us under the guidance of Dr. T. Srinivasa Rao, for the
partial fulfillment of the requirements for award of B-Tech degree in Mechanical
Engineering. We are extremely thankful to the guide and head of the department Dr. T.
Srinivasa Rao, all the faculty members and the management for the support and
encouragement.

DATE:
PLACE: Nambur

SIGNATURE OF THE CANDIDATES

G. Nikhileswar (21BQ1A0320)

G. Jeevan (21BQ1A0317)

G. Sai Ganesh (21BQ1A0319)

Ch. Hemanth (21BQ1A0311)

III
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We express our sincere thanks where it is due
Foremost we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our beloved parents
whose blessing and encouragement were always there as source of strength and
inspect.

We wish to express our profound gratitude and indebtedness to Dr. T.

SRINIVASA RAO Head & Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering, VVIT
- Nambur for introducing the present topic and for their inspiring guidance,
constructive criticism and valuable suggestion throughout the project work.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. T. SRINIVASA RAO, Professor and Head,

Mechanical Engineering for his co-operation and guidance in helping us to make
our project successful and complete in all aspects.

We thank Dr. Y. MALLIKARJUNA REDDY, Principal, Vasireddy

Venkatadri Institute of Technology, Nambur, for providing us the resources for
carrying out the project.

We express our sincere thanks to Dr. NAVEEN RAVELA, Director (Siemens-

COE), Dr. K. SATYANARAYANA, Dean (Finance), for providing support and
stimulating environment for developing the project.

We express our sincere thanks to the chairman, Vasireddy Venkatadri

Institute of Technology, Sri VASIREDDY VIDYA SAGAR for providing us well
equipped infrastructure and environment.

Last but not least, my sincere thanks to all our friends who have patiently
extended all sorts of help for accomplishing this undertaking.

NAME OF THE CANDIDATES

G. Nikhileswar (21BQ1A0320)
G. Jeevan (21BQ1A0317)
G. Sai Ganesh (21BQ1A0319)
Ch. Hemanth (21BQ1A03)

IV
 ABSTRACT

This project presents a cost-effective and energy-efficient solar tracking system

that eliminates the need for traditional rotary motors by utilizing solenoid actuators in
combination with an Arduino microcontroller. The system is designed to maximize
solar energy capture by automatically tilting a solar panel toward the direction of
maximum sunlight using two Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) positioned on the east
and west sides of the panel. When the east-facing LDR detects higher light intensity
than the west-facing LDR, the Arduino signals the east solenoid actuator to activate,
pushing it downward and causing the panel to tilt eastward. Conversely, if the west-
facing LDR senses greater light intensity, the west actuator is triggered, tilting the panel
toward the west. When both LDRs receive equal light, indicating the sun is directly
overhead, both solenoids remain inactive, maintaining the panel in a horizontal
position.

Keywords: Arduino, Microcontroller, Light Dependent Resistors, solenoids.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE I
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE II

DECLARATION III

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV

ABSTRACT V

List of Tables IX

List of Figures X

Chapter:1 INTRODUCTION 1-5

1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Problem statement 1
1.3 Main objective 2
1.4 Existing model and their drawbacks 3

Chapter:2 LITERATURE SURVEY 6-7

Chapter:3 PROPOSED SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 9

3.1 Proposed system description 9
3.2 Working Flow steps 9
3.3 Implementations 10
3.4 Methodology 11
3.5 Modules 11
3.6 Hardware Tools 11
3.7 Software Tools 12
3.8 Advantages 12
3.9 Applications 13
3.10 Proposed Mechanism Description (Mechanical Principle) 15
Chapter:4 MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS 17-43
4.1 Hardware Tools 17
4.1.1 Arduino UNO 17
4.1.2 Why choosing of Arduino 17
4.1.3 ARDUINO 18
4.1.4 Techinal Specifications of ARDUINO 19
4.1.5 Power 20
VI
 4.1.6 Memory 20
4.1.7 Input/output 21
4.1.8 Communication 22
4.1.9 programming 23
4.1.10 Automatic software reset 25
4.1.11 USB overcurrent protection 25
4.1.12 Physical characteristics 25
4.1.13 LDR module 26
4.1.14 Motor Drive 26
4.1.15 Brief about L298N module 29
4.1.16 Solar panel 31
4.1.17 Solenoid Lock 32
4.2 Software Tools 33
4.2.1 Arduino IDE 33
4.2.2 Arduino IDE: Initial Setup 39
4.2.3 IDE: Board Setup 40
4.2.4 IDE: COM Port Setup 41
4.2.5 Testing your settings 42
Chapter:5 PROPOSED-PROTOTYPE 44-50
5.1 Key components and Working Principle 44
5.2 Prototype Design and Components 45
5.3 Performance & Advantages 47
5.4 Performance and Advantages 49
Chapter:6 CALCULATION 51-54
6.1 Force required to rotate the panel 51
6.2 pneumatic pressure needed 52
6.3 volume of compressed air required 52
6.3.1 compressed air volume 53
6.4 Power required to compress the air 53
6.5 Power required to the air to required pressure 54
6.6 solar energy per day & final percentage 54
Chapter:7 RESULT AND DISCUSSION 55-56
7.1 Comparative energy consumption chart 55

VII
 7.2 Life cycle cost analysis table 56

Chapter:8 CONCLUSION 55-57

8.1 CONCLUSIONS 55
8.2 FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS 56
REFERENCES 57

VIII
 LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. No Figure Description Page No
1.4 Solar tracking system with motor 5
3.1 Block diagram of Arduino 8
4.1 Arduino board 19
4.2 Arduino board specifications 20
4.3 LDR Module 26
4.4 L298 Motor driver 27
4.5 Brief about L298N Module 28
4.6 signal circuit 30
4.7 Solar Panel 31
4.8 Solenoid Lock 32
4.2.1 Arduino IDE Default Window 39
4.2.2 Arduino IDE Board Setup 40
4.6 signal circuit 30
4.7 Solar Panel 31
4.8 Solenoid Lock 32

IX
 LIST OF TABLES

Table. No Name of the table Page. No

1 L298N Module Pinout Configuration 27
2 Energy chart 55
3 56
Life cycle cost