1. DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MINI-PROJECT PRESENTATION ON
“ SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM USING IOT ”
NAME USN
ANIRUDDH KULKARNI 2BA21ME011
DARPAN BHOMKAR 2BA21ME019
AKASH MAIGUR 2BA21ME009
PAVAN MALAGI 2BA21ME036
NAME OF THE GUIDE :- PROF. B S VIVEKANAND
BASAVESHWAR ENGINEERING COLLEGE
2. 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 maximises the
exposure of solar panel 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.
3. INTRODUCTION
• Renewable energy solutions are becoming popular.
• Maximizing output from solar system increases efficiency.
• Presently solar panels are of fixed type which lower the
efficiency.
• Maintaining vertical direction between light and panel maximizes
efficiency.
• Solar panels are used to convert the light energy into the
electrical energy.
• The single axis tracker is able to rotate only in horizontal or
vertical but bute the dual axis tracker is able to move on both
horizontal and vertical movement.
4. “LITRATURE SURVEY”
SL NO TITLE OF THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1) Prof. (Dr.) Mukesh Pandey described exploring the usage of
solar trackers and their cost-effectiveness
-(2020)
This paper talks about a Solar tracking system that is
defined by its degrees of rotation. According to the
degrees of rotation, tracking systems can be categorized
namely Single Axis Solar Tracking and Dual Axis Solar
Tracking.
2) G. Pavan Kalyan discussed sun tracking system in “Sun
tracking system using microcontroller”.
-(2019)
This paper explains the movement of the motor by an
indication from a sensor circuit when the intensity of
solar rays is heightened. This project discusses the
construction of a prototype that features a single axis of
freedom.
5. TITLE OF THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3) M. Prem Kumar discussed various “An effective maximum power
point tracker for partially shaded solar photovoltaic systems”.
-(2019)
This paper talks about a maximum power point tracking
technology to obtain the peak power from the PV array
during partially shaded conditions. The results from the
simulation show that the Whale Optimization technique
presents high efficiency of tracking and less merging time
with lesser power oscillations.
4) Shin'ya Obara proposed the development of a solar tracking
system of a nonelectric power source by using a metal hydride
actuator. - (2018)
This study deals with the sun tracking system of a non-
electric power source by employing a metal hydride
actuator with a sun radiation drive. The proposed
tracking system includes two MH reactors that are placed
perpendicular to the photovoltaic cell array.
5) Jose A. Carballo introduced a new low-cost solar tracking system
based on open-source hardware for educational purposes. -
(2018)
In his paper, a small prototype based on low-cost open-
source hardware is developed in Simulink. This prototype
has been developed to be a powerful tool that can be
used for a wide range of applications.
6) Fabio Moacir Hoffmann discussed monthly profile analysis based
on a two-axis solar tracker proposal for photovoltaic panels. -
(2017)
The objective of this study is to develop a dual-axis solar
tracker and evaluate the performance of a solar panel,
compared to a fixed system. Each system is composed of
a mechanical
structure, a solar panel, and a resistive load.
6. TITLE OF THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION
7) Masoumeh Abdollahpour proposed “Development of
a machine vision dual-axis solar tracking system”. -
(2018)
The study results presented that the tracking system followed
the sun with an accuracy of about ±2° and generates an
increased power output.
8) Boon-Han Lim explained the design of a dual-axis sun
tracker with a vertical axis and multiple row elevation.
- (2020)
The algorithm of the software determines the number of
counts is required to set the amount of pin-gear rotation to a
specific amount.
9) L.M. Fern_andez-Ahumada proposed a unique
backtracking approach for two-axis solar PV tracking
plants. - (2019)
The tactic presented here is useful for the optimization of the
planning of the latest photovoltaic two-axis tracker plants.
10) D. T. Cotfas listed very important methods to enhance
the efficiency and the lifetime of photovoltaic panels
in a paper -(2019)
The methods to increase the solar radiation which pounce on
the PV panels are Sun tracking system, Reflective system,
active reflectance, Passive reflectance, refractive system.
7. OBJECTIVE
To design a solar tracking system that can collect maximum amount of
sunlight on the solar panel.
To optimize and increase the efficiency of output than existing system.
To analyze the performance of various solar tracking and find out the
best efficient way to maximize the output.
8. Solar panel
Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
Servo Motor
Arduino Uno
16 x 2 LCD Display
Cardboard
Connecting Wires
COMPONENTS USED
13. BRIEF METHODOLOGY
• We need to develop a prototype of solar tracking system based
on Arduino UNO.
• Light Dependent resistors are used as sensors.
• The resistance of LDR decreases with increasing light intensity.
• Four LDRs are used for detecting the direction of light.
• Maximum energy is absorbed with higher efficiency.
• This will give input to the microcontroller utilizing the Arduino
software.
• When the intensity of the light falling on right LDR is more,
panel slowly moves towards right and if intensity on the left
LDR is more, panel slowly move towards left .In the noon time,
Sun is ahead and intensity of light on both the panels is same.In
such cases, panel is constant and there is no rotation.
14. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
➢ This project can be implemented as a completely automated system in
future. The input signals which are given through the comparator are directly
obtained from the LDRs.
➢ The fluctuations in the output can be overcome using proper DC-DC
converter. They can improve the steady-state accuracy by reducing the steady
state error.
➢ This system can increase the power or energy gain by 48.982% compared to
immobile solar panel.
➢ Sometimes non linear types can also be studied and suitable one is included
with the system.
➢ This system is also used to provide ac supply by using proper dc-ac inverter.
15. 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, 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.
16. REFERENCE
1) Solar Tracking Hardware and Software by Hossien Mousazadeh
2) Design and Implementation of a Sun Tracker with a Single- Axis
Single Motor K.S.Madhu
3) Sensors and Transducers...Second Edition...’’D.Patranabis”
4) Atmel ATmega48A/PA/88A/PA/168A/PA/328/P-datasheet
5) Utilisation of Electrical Power. Author, Er. R. K. Rajput.
6) Arduino Programming Book. Author, G.Pavan.Kalyan
