Design and Construction of Automatic Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) Sensors
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The document discusses the proposal and implementation of a dual-axis solar tracking system designed to optimize solar energy capture, utilizing light-dependent resistors and DC motors for improved efficiency. Experimental results indicate that this system achieves a power gain of 40-50% compared to stationary setups, making it a cost-effective solution for solar power generation. The design aims to be reliable and straightforward, offering potential applications in various settings, including large-scale power production and backup systems.
Design and Construction of Automatic Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) Sensors
- 1. World University of Bangladesh Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh
- 2. 2 Early in the 21century, Nuwayhid et al. (2001) adopted the open-loop and closed-loop tracking methods into a parabolic concentrator attached to a polar tracking system. In 2004, Abdallah and Nijmeh designed a two axis sun tracking system, a programmable logic controller (PLC) was used to calculate the solar vector and to control the sun tracker so that it follows the sun’s trajectory. In addition, Shanmugam & Christraj (2005) presented a computer program written a Visual Basic that is capable of determining the sun’s position and thus drive a paraboloidal dish concentrator (PDS) along the east-west axis or north-south axis forparaboloidal dish concentrator (PDS) along the east-west axis or north-south axis for receiving maximum solar radiation. In 2007, Ali Al-Mohamad designed a Sun-tracking system, whereby the movement of a photovoltaic module was controlled to follow the Sun’s radiation using a programmable logic-controller (PLC) unit. In 2008, Mohanad Alata, M.A. Al-Nimr and Yousef Qaroush demonstrated the design and simulation of time controlled step sun tracking systems. In Rajshahi University of engineering & Technology a project was done by Md. Rokunuzzaman whereby the movement of a photovoltaic module was controlled to follow the Sun’s radiation using a CMOS logical circuit.
- 3. 3 Photovoltaic cells are less productive when not pointed directly at the sun and operate at maximum efficiency when pointed directly towards the sun. This project paper puts forward a proposal of an improved “Dual-Axis (azimuth-altitude) Solar Tracking System” to receive maximum sunbeam that has been designed and implemented by using “Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)” sensors, ICs and Permanent Magnet DC motors with gear arrangements to make the tracking system simple by eliminating the use of microcontroller. Important points of this design are using minimum energy while tracking, stability of trajectory, maximum energy efficiency and being cheaper and simple than the other tracking systems. This tracking system is able to track the sun efficiently throughout the year at any weather keeping the solar panel perpendicular to the sun. The effectiveness of the Sun tracker is confirmed experimentally.
- 4. 4 • To design and construct a simple solar tracking system which can absorb maximum amount of sunlight. • To minimize the cost of installation and operation providing higher reliability.
- 5. 5 • Information were collected from related reference books and websites to find out the possible improvement. • Components were collected from local electronics market.
- 6. 6 X- DIRECTION MOTOR LIGHT DETECTOR (X- DIRECTION) SUNLIGHT LOAD COMPARATOR MOTOR DRIVINGMOTOR DRIVING CIRCUIT LIGHT DETECTOR (Y- DIRECTION) Y- DIRECTION MOTOR SUNLIGHT SOLAR PANEL CHARGE CONTROLLER BATTERY
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- 8. 8 The dual-axis solar tracker comprises of comparator IC LM339, H-bridge motor driver IC L293D and a few discrete components. Light-dependent resistors LDR1 through LDR4 are used as sensors to detect the panel’s position relative to the sun. 4 LDRs are fixed at the edges of the solar panel along the X and Y axis, and connected to comparator IC LM339. LDR1 and LDR2 are used to track horizontal axis (x-axis). When LDR2 receives more light than LDR1, it offers lower resistance than LDR1, providing a high input to comparators A1 and A2 at pins 4 and 7, respectively. As a result, output pin 1 ofcomparators A1 and A2 at pins 4 and 7, respectively. As a result, output pin 1 of comparator A2 goes high to rotate motor M1 in one direction (say, anti-clockwise) and turn the solar panel. When LDR1 receives more light than LDR2, it offers lower resistance than LDR2, giving a low input to comparators A1and A2 at pins 4 and 7, respectively. As the voltage at pin 5 of comparator A1 is now higher than the voltage at its pin 4, its output pin 2 goes high. As a result motor M1 rotates in the opposite direction (say, clock-wise) and the solar panel turns. Similarly, LDR3 and LDR4 track the sun along Y axis.
- 9. 9 Solar panel Light dependent resistor Gear Load (LED Light) Charge controller circuit X- Direction motor Y- Direction motor Charge controller circuit Motor driving circuit Battery (12volt) Frame Base
- 10. 10 • Solar Panel • LDR (Light dependent resistor) • IC1- LM339 • IC2- L293D• IC2- L293D • Permanent Magnet DC Motors
- 11. 11 • Mono Crystalline solar panel • Cost effective • More efficient and reliable • Made of bulk type silicon • Resistance decreases with increase in intensity of light • Used to sense or detect light • Made of high resistance semiconductor
- 12. 12 • Have four digital comparators in one IC. • Output will be either high or low. • Uses single supply unlike other comparators. • Dual H-bridge motor driver IC • Controls two DC motors simultaneously in both direction • Wide Supply-Voltage Range • Thermal Shutdown.
- 13. 13 • Field poles are made of permanent magnet • Low power consumption • Two PMDC motors used in X and Y direction. • Used to transmit torque to the panel arrangement.• Used to transmit torque to the panel arrangement.
- 14. 14 • Average output power is 3.501 for dual axis solar tracker, 2.958 for single axis tracker and 2.348 for static panel. • Average practical efficiency of solar panel for dual axis tracking system is 7.75%, where 6.55% for single axis and 5.20% for static panel.where 6.55% for single axis and 5.20% for static panel. • Average power gain of the solar panel with dual axis tracking system is up to 49.06% over normal stationary arrangement and 18.32% over single axis tracking system.
- 15. 15 3 4 5 6 PowerinWatt Power vs. Time Static Panel Single Axis 0 1 2 3 PowerinWatt Time Single Axis Dual Axis
- 16. 16 2.348 2.958 3.501 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 AveragePowerinWatt 2.348 Static Panel Single Axis Dual Axis 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 AveragePowerinWatt
- 17. 17 SL No Name Quantity Cost (BDT) 1 Solar Panel 1 400 2 Battery 1 400 3 PMDC Motor 2 1000 4 Pinium 4 200 6 Stand and Boards 2000 7 Accessories cost 1000 Total Cost 5000
- 18. 18 • Proposed dual axis solar tracker is cost effective. • Average power gain of the solar panel with dual axis tracking system over normal stationary arrangement is up to 40-50%. • Less power consumption by internal circuit and PMDC motors.• Less power consumption by internal circuit and PMDC motors. • Ability of tracking sun light at any weather. • Installation is easy and operates automatically.
- 19. 19 — Dual axis sun tracker can be used for large & medium scale power generations. — It can also be used for power generation at remote places. — It may be used as domestic backup power systems. — It can be used in solar street lighting system— It can be used in solar street lighting system — It may be used in water treatment technologies and solar heating.
- 20. 20 The main theme of this project is to generate electricity using sun light efficiently by developing a advance dual axis solar tracking system. Proposed dual axis solar tracking system is more efficient than single axis & static panels and also cheaper than the other trackers available in market. Uses of four LDR's enable the tracker to keep the panel exactly perpendicular to the sun throughout the day. It enables the panel to grab energy throughout the day, which increase the efficiency of solar panel. Average power gain of the solar panel withincrease the efficiency of solar panel. Average power gain of the solar panel with proposed dual axis tracking system is up to 40-50% over normal stationary arrangement and 15-20% over single axis tracking system. Basically, this project is a miniature model for large scale electrical generating system. According to this implementation in future it can be implemented in large scale in perspective of Bangladesh. A considerable amount of power could be obtained if it is implemented as a large project with comparing of fossil fuel resources.
- 21. 21 The proposed dual-axis solar tracking system will be reliable and accurate throughout the year and maximize the output power when compared to static system and single axis tracking system. It will be a good and competitive solution for the market place as it is expected to compete with more complex and expensive systems.it is expected to compete with more complex and expensive systems.
- 22. 22 — Hybrid super-capacitor energy storage system can be used to store energy quickly. — Solar thermal power plant may be included in large scale power generation. — An automatic dust sensor wiper or cleaning robot can be provided for cleaning of solar plate.solar plate.
- 23. 23