Design and development of single-axis solar tracking system using microcontroller
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Mohamad Nazren Zulkifli
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Abstract
The solar panel has been used increasingly in the recent years in converting the
solar energy into electrical energy. Solar tracking system plays an important role in
increasing the energy output of the solar panel. In this project, single-axis solar tracking
systems have been designed and develop to be used with silicon photovoltaic device.
With solar tracking, it will become possible to generate more energy since the solar
panel can maintain a perpendicular profile to the light intensity of the sun. Thus, the
tracking of the sun and positioning of the solar panel is important. This project discusses
the design and develops of the solar tracking that has a single axis of freedom. For this
tracker, Light Dependant Resistor is used to detect the position of the sun. To analyse
the performance, sensors are used to measure the important parameters. This operation
is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. The performance of the solar panel is being
analysed based on two conditions which are with the solar tracking system and pv panel
at fixed position. As a result, this tracker system produces 18%-31% more output
energy than conventional solar panels which do not use the tracking system because this
system increases the efficiency of the panel since the panel is exposed to the light
concentration of light from the sun. This system is the technology able to give a good
impact to every consumer who is concerned to keep the performance of the solar panel
at optimum level.