Active solar tracker

Afdzal Ridzuan , Khalid (2015) Active solar tracker. Project Report. UTeM. (Submitted)

Text ACTIVE SOLAR TRACKER 24pages.pdf Download (450kB)

Abstract

Solar energy is the most readily available energy available on earth. The energy of the sun is used since ancient times. With fast growing environmental concerns over the climate change risks associated with power generation with non-renewable energy, solar power has been the best answer over the decades. However, the output power of the solar cell panel is highly affected by the sunlight incident angle. By tracking the solar panel to the sun, it can always be pointing at the optimum angle to harvest the maximum solar energy throughout a day or a year. In this project, a new method of solar tracking is presented. The sun movements are studied to design the prototype of sensor and the solar tracker. By using arrangement of six (6) Photodiode and one (1) solid cylinder, a prototype sun-pointing sensor is designed. The sensor works by determining the location of solid cylinder‟s shade and tracker would track the sun position in opposite direction. The dual-axis mechanism of the tracker would enable the system to track based on the sun azimuth and altitude. The actuators that will use are stepper motor brushless. Both motors will mount at the pan-tilt. The movement of solar tracker will cover latitude and azimuth. Also, a potentiometer is also used to read the solar panel elevation position. The method is discussed here for an automatic operation of the system which includes an intelligent tracking method, self-sufficient power supply; using microcontroller and active tracker.

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