PRESENTATION FOR MINI

PROJECT
LIGHT TRACKING SOLAR PANELS
INTRODUCTIO
N
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to increase the efficiency of the solar panels so that it captures solar
energy more efficiently and increase the power generation. In the stationary solar panels, the
panels are set at an angle of 60 degrees with the with the base so as to capture maximum solar
energy but the maximum input is achieved only for a limited amount of time . Adding to this idea
we have made some enhancements that is we have allowed the structure to perform dual-axis
movement allowing it to change it’s angle according to the source of light to attain maximum input
by always maintaining 90 degrees with the source of light thereby helping in generating maximum
possible power.
WORKING OF THE PROJECT
In current system, the solar panels are inclined at 60 degrees to attain maximum possible output
power, but this system has one drawback i.e it is always inclined at 60 degrees and can only work
in its maximum capacity/ efficiency at a particular time of the day, since the panels give maximum
power when solar rays incident perpendicular to the plates to cover max area.

To fix this issue we've made this dual axis solar tracking system which can move around both the
axis, x axis and y axis. The sole reason and idea behind this project was to make solar rays always
incident 90° to the plates so that the entire plates can be covered which will generate maximum
output. Since the solar plate will detect light and move accordingly the light incident will always be
at 90°.
For this project we've used 4 4V solar plates which are connected in series to increase the output
voltage. We've also used the LDR sensor to detect light connected with IR module, the IR module is
then connected with Arduino Uno which is the brain of the project. The Arduino is then connected
to the motor driver which drives the connected motors in the desired direction whenever
command is given from Arduino to motor driver.

The working of the project is based on a simple logic that is LDR sensor sends electrical signals
whenever light is incident on them and this increases with increase in intensity.
Now when the light falling on solar panels moves in any direction the light intensity will increase
on any particular LDR which in turn increases the conductivity of the material and hence an
electrical signal is passed on to the Arduino Uno, and the Arduino Uno which already has certain
commands in it’s program will further send signal to the motor driver to drive the connected
motor connected in both the axis to move the solar panel in the direction of the movement of the
light. When the intensity of light on both the both the LDR sensor become equal, equal electrical
output will be generated and therefore no further signal will be provided by Arduino and the solar
plates will stop moving , making the solar panels again perpendicular to the incident light and the
output from solar panels will remain maximum.
SYSTEM
STUDY
EXISTING SYSTEM AND PROPOSED
SYSTEM
 EXISTING SYSTEM

Single-axis trackers have only one axis of movement, usually aligned with North and South. This allows the
panels to arc from east to west, tracking the sun as it rises, travels across the sky, and sets.

Single-axis trackers cost less than dual-axis, and potentially offer more reliability and a longer lifespan as
they have fewer moving parts. However, they have a lower energy capture efficiency than their dual-axis
counterparts.

In the Existing System, we have stationary solar panels which are usually set at an angle of 60 degrees with
the direction of sunlight to attain maximum possible efficiency but due to its static/fixed structure, it gives
maximum efficiency only for a limited period of time
 PROPOSED SYSTEM

Dual-axis trackers have two axes of movement, aligned with North-South and with East-West, giving them a wide
range of position options. As seasons change and the sun’s path goes from low in the sky in winter too high in the sky
in summer, dual axis trackers can optimize the amount of solar energy captured.

The strength of dual-axis trackers is their ability to maximize energy production. However, they also have a higher
degree of mechanical complexity, making them more expensive and requiring more maintenance over their installed
lifetime.

In the proposed system, we are implementing a Dual Axis Solar Tracking Structure which is dynamic in nature i.e., it
can move in both the axes, x and y. This is done to maximise the efficiency of the solar system by allowing it to always
maintain 90 degrees with the source of light.
As shown from the results obtained and the
Power(W) vs Time graph plotted above, it can be
concluded that the use of dual axes tracking
system results in an increase in total daily energy
collection of about 45.4% as compared with 30°
tilted fixed surface , while using single axis
tracking system it is 34.11%.

The difference between curves appears obviously

at morning and at the afternoon; this is because
in tracking system the panel is positioned to be
perpendicular to the sun light rays thereby
proving that dual-axis solar tracking panels are
the most efficient among single axis panels and
fixed axis panels.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
 TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY

Currently our project is powered by 2 9v batteries, which powers motors and Arduino in the circuit. When
implemented in large scale the power generation will be so high that the system could easily be powered by
the electricity generated by the solar plates. We can further increase the net output from the system (that is
power generated - power consumed) by increasing the efficiency of motors and system computers.

The system can also be equipped by fine grade sensors and computers for better efficiency.
 ECONOMICAL FEASIBILITY

When our project will be implemented in industries for full scale power generation the main challenges are
its cost of construction and its maintenance, economical context. But this could be avoided buy constructing
the moving parts in a large numbers.

The maintenance and construction cost can further be decreased by decreasing the moving/mechanical
parts in the system.

In order to be economically feasible the system must generate more power and consume least possible
power, which can further be achieved by increasing the efficiency of the system.
 HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
 • Arduino Uno
• Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) [4 units]
• IR sensor [4 units]
HARDWARE • DC Motor of 10RPM [2 units]

COMPONENTS • Motor Driver

• Solar Panel
• 9V Battery
• Wires
ARDUINO UNO

The Arduino Uno is an open-source microcontroller board

based on the Microchip ATmega328P microcontroller and
developed by Arduino.cc. The board is equipped with sets of
digital and analog input/output (I/O) pins (six capable of PWM
output) that may be interfaced to various expansion boards and
other circuits. The board has 14 digital I/O pins, 6 analog I/O
pins, and is programmable with the Arduino IDE (Integrated
Development Environment) via a type B USB cable. It can be
powered by the USB cable or by an external 9-volt battery,
though it accepts voltages between 7 and 20 volts. It is similar
to the Arduino Nano and Leonardo. The hardware reference
design is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution
Share-Alike 2.5 license and is available on the Arduino website.
Layout and production files for some versions of the hardware
are also available.
LIGHT DEPENDENT
RESISTOR SENSOR

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is made from a piece

of exposed semiconductor material such as cadmium
sulphide that changes its electrical resistance from
several thousand Ohms in the dark to only a few
hundred Ohms when light falls upon it by creating
hole-electron pairs in the material. It works on the
photoconductivity principle means that resistance
changes according to the intensity of light. Its
resistance decreases with an increase in the intensity
of light.
IR SENSOR

An infrared sensor is an electronic device, that emits

in order to sense some aspects of the surroundings.
An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as
well as detects the motion. These types of sensors
measure only infrared radiation, rather than emitting
it that is called a passive IR sensor. Usually, in the
infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form
of thermal radiation.
MOTOR DRIVER
The motor driver IC is an integrated circuit chip used as
a motor controlling device in autonomous robots and
embedded circuits. L293D and ULN2003 are the most
commonly used motor Driver IC that is used in simple
robots and RC cars. A motor driver is undoubtedly
something that makes the motor move as per the given
instructions or the inputs (high and low). It listens to the
low voltage from the controller/processor and control
an actual motor which needs high input voltage. In
simple words, a motor driver IC controls the direction of
the motor based on the commands or instructions it
receives from the controller. Many motor drivers follow
different topology, in this article we will focus on the
popular H-bridge topology which is used in the L293D
motor driver IC.
 DC Motor Connection Wire

Solar Panels 9V Battery

 • Arduino IDE Compiler
SOFTWARE • Arduino Code

COMPONENTS • Tinkercad
 ARDUINO IDE

Arduino Integrated Development Environment is a cross-platform application that is written in functions

from C and C++ . It is used to write and upload programs to arduino compatible boards, but also, with the
help of third party cores, other vendor development boards.
 TINKERCAD

Tinkercad is a free-of-charge, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser. Since it became
available in 2011 it has become a popular platform for creating models for 3D printing as well as an entry
level introduction to constructive solid geometry in schools. It can be used for creating 3D Designs, Simulate
Electronics with circuits, coding via scratch like interface and also to turn 3D designs into augmented reality
experiences.
 HARDWARE
REQUIREMENTS
SPECIFICATION
 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Two 9V battery as power source is required to allow the project to function as per the defined idea.

• Moreover other equipments such as Arduino Uno, Motor Driver and the other sensors should provide
input and output as it is required without any malfunction.

• The Connection wires should be checked properly as it should not be faulty preventing the circuit from
being incomplete.
 NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• An outer structure can be made so as to keep the dual-axis solar tracking system safe from environmental
causes such as windstorms and rainfalls.
• The surface over which the dual-axis solar tracking system is set up should be strong enough to handle it’s
weight and also make sure it doesn’t react with the components used in the project.
SYSTEM
ANALYSIS AND
DESIGN
 MATHEMATICAL
EQUATIONS REQUIRED
INVERSE SQUARE
LAW
The illumination upon a surface varies inversely as the
square of the distance of the surface form the source. Thus,
if the illumination at a surface 1 metre from the source is I
units, then the illumination at 2 metres will be I/4, at 3
metres will be I/9 and so on.

In fact inverse square law operates only when the light rays
are from a point source and are incident normally upon the
surface. Thus illumination in lamberts/m2 on a normal
plane= Candle power/ (Distance in metres)2
LAMBERT'S COSINE The illumination received on a surface is proportional to the
LAW cosine of the angle between the direction of the incident light
rays and normal to the surface at the point of incidence.
This is mainly due to the reduction of the projected area as the
angle of incidence increases.
Thus, the equations are :

where,
Eθ= illumination on horizontal plane
E= illumination due to light normally incident
θ= the angle of incidence
D= distance from the surface
BLOCK DIAGRAM AND
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
Here we can see that as per the provided block
diagram and circuit diagram LDR sensors that are
attached to the respective IR Sensors take input by
the light source and provide it to the digital pins 2, 3,
4, and 5 which then according to the predefined
programmed code transfers this information to the
motor driver that is by the digital pins 6, 7, 8, and 9
respectively which allows it to function as per the
condition applied and helps in allowing the dual-axis
solar tracker system to move that is change it’s axis as
per the requirement so as to maintain optimal angle
with the light source and produce maximum output
thereby increasing it’s efficiency and attaining our
goal for the project.
ARDUINO CODE
CONCLUSION
 MERITS

• Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source.

• Once a solar panel is installed, the energy is produced at reduced costs. Whereas the reserves of oil of the world are
estimated to be depleted in future, solar energy will last forever.
• It is pollution free.
• Solar cells are free of any noise. On the other hand, various machines used for pumping oil or for power generation are
noisy.
• Once solar cells have been installed and running, minimal maintenance is required. Some solar panels have no moving
parts, making them to last even longer with no maintenance.
• On average, it is possible to have a high return on investment because of the free energy solar panels produce.
• Solar energy can be used in very remote areas where extension of the electricity power grid is costly
 DEMERITS

• Solar panels can be costly to install resulting in a time lag of many years for savings on energy bills to match initial
investments.
• Generation of electricity from solar is dependent on the country’s exposure to sunlight. That means some countries are
slightly disadvantaged.
• Solar power stations do not match the power output of conventional power stations of similar size. Furthermore, they
may be expensive to build.
• Solar power is used for charging large batteries so that solar powered devices can be used in the night. The batteries
used can be large and heavy, taking up plenty of space and needing frequent replacement.
 CONCLUSION

In this 21st century, as we build up our technology, population & growth, the energy consumption per capita increases exponentially, as
well as our energy resources (e.g. fossils fuels) decrease rapidly. So, for sustainable development, we have to think alternative methods
(utilization of renewable energy sources) in order to fulfil our energy demand.
In this project, Dual Axis Solar Tracker, we’ve developed a demo model of solar tracker to track the maximum intensity point of light
source so that the voltage given at that point by the solar panel is maximum. After a lot of trial and errors we’ve successfully completed
our project and we are proud to invest some effort for our society. Now, like every other experiment, this project has couple of
imperfections.

(i) Our panel senses the light in a sensing zone, beyond which it fails to respond.
(ii) It is small scale project therefore currently the energy produced is not much as it should be so as it power itself.
This project was implemented with minimal resources. The circuitry was kept simple, understandable and user friendly
 THANK YOU !
By
Aditya Muni F_06
Surbhi Parganiha F_50
Yash Raj Sharma F_61
Vishesh Tamrakar F_57