Microcontroller based single axis solar radiant tracking system

Muhammad Syams Baskaran, Muhammad Sany (2017) Microcontroller based single axis solar radiant tracking system. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Presently, consumption of electricity is rapidly increasing due to the growing human population. Alternative ways to generate electricity, specifically solar powered photovoltaic (PV) cells are becoming more popular as it is renewable and pollution free. This study aims to design and develop a single-axis automated solar radiation tracking system that is sustainable in Malaysia climate. The tracking system controls the solar panel orientation to be always to perpendicular towards the sun. This is to establish maximum potential power absorption by the solar panel. Tracking direction input will be provided by pilot sensors which send an input signal to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then will provide an output signal to the actuator to align the solar panel perpendicularly towards the sun. The efficiency of the system in harnessing energy is measured in unit of short circuit current (Isc). The data collections were conducted on hourly interval for twelve days starting from 8.00 am until 6.00 pm at the open field beside Pusat Bahasa dan Pembangunan Insan (PBPI) UTeM. Overall results show that the single-axis automated solar radiation tracking system gained a higher efficiency in harnessing energy compared with conventional static setup by 31.35%. This shows that the single-axis tracking has better performance compared to static solar panel system in Malaysia climate. The tracker was put into field for two months and still able to perform tracking mode, proving its sustainability in the said climate.

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