Innovative Product Development Report

on

Sun Tracking Solar Panel

SUBMITTED BY
Name SAP ID
Darshil. D.Shah 60002210028
Aryan.M.shah 60002210046

Under the guidance of

Dr Ameya. A. Kadam

DEPARTMENT OF
ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
Academic Year: 2023-2024

Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal’s

Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering

Plot no. U-15, JVPD Scheme, Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg,
Vile Parle (W), Mumbai – 400 056

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 Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

This is to certify that

“Sun Tracking Solar Panel”

Submitted by:

Darshil. D Shah 60002210028

Aaryan.M. Shah 60002210046

Students of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering have successfully completed their

Innovative Product Development-IV required for the fulfillment of SEM VI during the first half of
the year 2024. The project report has been assessed and found to be satisfactory.

_______________ _______________
Internal Guide External Guide

__________________ _______________
Head of Department Principal

_______________ _______________
Internal Examiner External Examiner

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 Table of Contents
Page No.

I) ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………….

II) INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………....

III) LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………….…

IV) THEORY…………………………………………………………………..
i) Working Principle………………………………………….…..
ii) Block Diagram/ Circuit Diagram/Flow chart

V) RESULT

VI) FUTURE SCOPE…………………………………………………………

VII) BUDGET SHEET…………………………………………………………

VIII) APPLICATIONS.…………………………………………………………

IX) REFERENCES…………………………………………………………….

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 ABSTRACT

The solar panel or solar collector is moved by an automatic solar tracker, which tracks the sun's
path across the sky all day long. The solar panel is exposed to the full spectrum of the sun's rays
throughout the day, which optimizes its power-generating potential. A microcontroller, sensors,
motors, and a power source could be part of the solar tracker system. The microcontroller controls
the motors to move the solar panel after the sensors have supplied positional information about the
sun. Many sensors that use light or GPS determine the sun's orientation with regard to the solar
panel. To track the sun's revolution, motors move the solar panel along the azimuth and elevation
axes. Automated solar trackers offer numerous advantages, including increased energy output,
lower installation costs, and system stability. Furthermore, because of the additional energy
produced by the solar panel, a smaller system might supply an equivalent quantity of energy to a
larger stationary system. Because fewer solar panels are required and the system can be put on a
single pole rather than multiple poles, the installation cost is further decreased.

INTRODUCTION

This gadget, also known as an automatic solar tracker, tracks the position of the sun all day long
using an automatic solar panel or solar collector. This maximizes the energy production of the
solar panel and increases the usefulness and efficacy of the power system. For automation and
control applications, the Arduino Uno microcontroller board is a popular option. Its flexible
hardware and software, along with its open-source platforms, make it a popular option for many
applications, including automatic solar trackers. An innovative and efficient photovoltaic system
that can be controlled directly by computer programs is made possible by the combination of a
solar tracker and an Arduino Uno microcontroller board. The Arduino Uno determines the location
of the sun in real time by combining data from several sensors, including a light sensor.
Consequently, it uses motors to move a particular solar module along the azimuth and elevation
axes in order to track the movement of the Sun. Enhanced power production, lower installation
costs, and increased dependability are just a few benefits of this technology. Producing electricity
using an open-source platform like the Arduino Uno is a wise economic and ecological decision.

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It also makes the process of designing and adjusting a solar tracker system easier for businesses
and people alike.

LITERATURE SURVEY

Because of the current situation, there are more accidents, indicating a rise in the percentage of
cars on the road. Most accidents are thought to be caused by careless driving. Each year, 1.24
million people die • Sun Tracking Solar Panel 2 in automobile accidents alone. These incidents
frequently occur in India and are caused by intoxicated drivers, worn-out drivers, and badly
designed speed bumps. However, a n006F system is available to guard against these underlying
issues. Therefore, the paradigm we have put out offers a fresh, useful, and rational approach to
preventing car accidents. Throughout, this piece establishes a steady, distraction-free atmosphere.
Our suggested method detects driver fatigue by using eye closure rate as an instructive cue. A
chime alerting the driver to the typical ratio maintained in their vehicle will sound when the ratio
falls below the normal ratio. Called "Indonesia's black gold," critics of palm oil argue that there
may be some advantages to its intake, such as decreasing cholesterol levels. Researchers that relate
palm oil to obesity in Southeast Asia occasionally refer to it as "increasingly unhealthy" (up 155).
The system's goal is to make auto accidents less likely. The camera captures a photo of the once
the driver identifies the face and eyes. If the eyes are closed for four seconds, the findings of the
eye detection test will be reviewed. The eight system recognizes drowsiness and sounds an alert if
the driver closes their eyes for longer than four seconds.

THEORY

An Arduino Uno-based automated solar tracker is a gadget that tracks the position of the sun using
a solar panel and then adjusts the panel's orientation to maximum solar energy absorption. A light
sensor, an Arduino Uno microcontroller board, a servo motor, and a solar panel are all used in the
system. By measuring the brightness of the sun's light, the light sensor enables the Arduino Uno
to identify the sun's location. The servo motor then adjusts the solar panel's position to optimize
the amount of solar energy it can absorb. Throughout the day, the solar panel is changed due to the
technology's continuous tracking of the sun's position. To construct an autonomous solar tracker,
the Arduino Uno board needs to be connected to the servo motor and light sensor. To adjust the

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direction of the solar panel, you would then need to develop code using the Arduino IDE that reads
sensor data and runs the servo motor. The computer would need to use the sensor data to do
trigonometric calculations in order to locate the sun. The computer would then use this data to
drive the servo motor. An Arduino Uno-powered solar tracker can improve solar panel
performance and maximize the amount of solar energy they can collect, making it a useful tool for
remote or off-grid areas with limited access.

Software

Programs for Arduino boards can be written using the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development
Environment) software platform. This tool allows users to create, compose, and upload code to an
Arduino board through an intuitive interface. To use the Arduino IDE, you must be able to write
code. Users can access and create new sketches using the IDE. The code is developed in Arduino
and is a condensed form of C++. The user must click the Verify button in the IDE after writing the
code. After the code has been checked for syntax errors, it is translated into commands that the
Arduino board can understand. Once the code has been built, the user can upload it to the Arduino
board using the "Upload" button in the Arduino IDE. The code is received by the board's
microcontroller, which then runs it there. The Arduino IDE's Serial Monitor feature allows data to
be delivered to and received from the Arduino board. Testing and troubleshooting can be done
using this functionality. Programming and developing apps for Arduino boards is usually made
simpler using the Arduino IDE. It has an easy-to-use interface, a large user community that
distributes knowledge and source code, and easy-to-use tools.

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Working of Hardware

Using an Arduino Uno, an autonomous solar tracker tracks the sun's position throughout the day
and adjusts a solar panel or array to maximize its exposure to light. The tracker uses a light sensor
to gauge how much sunshine there is. The light sensor is connected to the Arduino's analogue
input. Arduino: Using information from the light sensor, the Arduino calculates where the sun is
in the sky. Then, using signals sent out by the device, the motor is told to move the solar panel.
Motor: A motor that rotates the solar panel in line with the sun's path. The motor is managed by
the Arduino, which gives commands to change its position. Power source: The gadget can be
powered by a battery or a solar panel. coding Code is loaded into the Arduino to determine the
position of the sun using data from the light sensor. Then, using signals sent out by the device, the

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motor is told to move the solar panel. An Arduino Uno-based automatic solar tracker's code can
be found online; simply adapt it to your project's requirements. The tracker's accuracy is
determined by the light sensor's accuracy and the Arduino code.

We used the proximity sensor, also known as the LDR sensor, as the uno controller's input, as this
circuit diagram illustrates. The Arduino outputs the correct value based on the input it receives.
The servo motor driver, which is the output component, responds to commands from the Arduino
controller. In addition, the motor rotates in response to the motor driver's input.

Describe the objectives. Analyse the solar tracker's performance indicators, including cost-
effectiveness, power output, and tracking accuracy. Select the type of solar tracker that you want.
There are many different types of solar trackers, of which single- and dual-axis models are just
two. Select the strategy that best satisfies your needs and budget. Assemble the hardware: To build
the mechanical construction of the solar tracker, design the motors, gears, and frame. The Arduino
Uno should be able to use the layout. Establish the controls' framework: Construct a system that
can control the motors that move the solar panel and follow the sun. The Arduino Uno board,
sensors, and software are used to read sensor values and control the motors. Implement the system:
Assemble the hardware and software, run a system test, and confirm that the system meets the step
1 performance requirements. Enhance the configuration: Optimize the system by enhancing its
hardware and software algorithms to increase performance. System assessment Examine and
contrast the system's operation under different weather conditions using the phase 1 performance
measures. Continue to upgrade the system: Make sure you clean the solar panels, update the
software, and inspect the hardware components of the solar tracker on a regular basis.

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Generally speaking, mechanical design, software optimization, and control system development
are required to build an autonomous solar tracker based on an Arduino Uno. Clearly defined
objectives and a thorough testing procedure are necessary to guarantee that a system meets its
objectives. The control system may be easily programmed and the hardware interfaced with using
an Arduino.

Designed with the ATmega328P CPU in mind, the Arduino Uno microcontroller board. This
Arduino board, which is highly popular, simplifies the process of getting started with electronics
and programming for both novices and enthusiasts. Among its other features are a 16 MHz quartz
crystal, 6 analogue inputs, 14 digital input/output pins, a USB connector for programming, and a
power jack for external power. Programming the Arduino Uno involves using an open-source
software tool called the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write code for the
board.

The servo motor is one popular kind of motor used in robotics and automation systems. It is a
rotary actuator that precisely controls the position, speed, and acceleration of the output shaft
through feedback control. A servo motor is made up of a DC motor, a potentiometer for position
feedback, some gears, and a control circuit that adjusts the motor's position based on information.
Their ability to maintain their place without slipping, along with their great torque and accuracy,

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set them apart. Servo motors are frequently used in applications such as camera gimbals, robotic
arms, drones, and CNC machines where accurate positioning is necessary. They come in a range
of sizes, torque ratings, and control interfaces and can be driven by PWM signals, serial
transmission, or analogue voltage signals.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In the world of uncontrolled output that we live in today, energy is the fundamental component of
society. This phrase suggests that energy may be stored in some way since it cannot be created or
destroyed. In an attempt to provide this objective more specificity, our project has attempted to
ascertain the path to such objectivity. It is typical for continued energy use to result in a scarcity
of resources on Earth. The sun, the highest source in the universe that has been roaring over for
eons since the beginning of time and through which life has been conceived, is the fundamental
and primary source of all energy. The idea was abandoned after the simplest methods for storing
this kind of energy were examined. These energies do not originate from the Sun; rather, they are
produced through burning a variety of materials, which releases a great deal of pollutants into the
atmosphere and gradually deteriorates the ecosystem. Since it is difficult to produce something
fresh and unique every day, energy is the ultimate source of all the effort that goes • Sun Tracking
Solar Panel 6 into it. The urgency that drives all of the hard effort that goes into it these days stems
from the speed and intelligence of the world's behavioural visibility, where easy access to all sides
of existence necessitates acute comfortability. Understanding how commercialization has harmed
the earth by spreading its wings in the pursuit of power and profit to the point where we are
glaringly clueless of the paucity of resources in the globe is therefore becoming increasingly vital.
This idea has the ability to expedite progress while generating chances for storing solar energy and
cutting pollution. The hour clock advocates for cultivation based on global healing.

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 FUTURE SCOPE

The amazing project "SUN TRACKING SOLAR PANEL" illustrates how the problem could be
solved in the future. In terms of accessibility and self-sufficiency, this system operates with
maximum efficiency, making it a pioneer in its fundamental ethos. In the midst of smoke and
darkness, where pollution is engulfing all areas of advancement, this technology strives for fair
progress and growth, leading to productivity through the effective eradication of pollution.

APPLICATIONS

Sun tracking solar panels, also known as solar trackers, are designed to orient themselves to
maximize the amount of sunlight they receive throughout the day. This dynamic positioning
offers several advantages over fixed solar panels, including increased energy production and
efficiency. Here are some applications where sun tracking solar panels can be particularly
beneficial:

1. Utility-Scale Solar Farms: Large-scale solar power plants often employ sun tracking
technology to maximize energy output. By continuously adjusting the angle of the solar panels to
face the sun, these systems can capture more sunlight throughout the day, increasing overall
energy production.

2. Residential Solar Installations: While less common due to their higher cost and complexity
compared to fixed solar panels, sun tracking systems can be used in residential settings.
Homeowners with ample space and a desire to maximize their solar energy production may opt
for sun tracking panels to increase their energy yield.

3. Off-Grid Applications: Sun tracking solar panels can be especially useful in off-grid locations
where maximizing energy production is crucial. Examples include remote cabins, research
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stations, and telecommunications towers where reliable power generation is essential but grid
connectivity is limited or unavailable.

4. Agricultural and Rural Applications: In rural and agricultural settings, sun tracking solar
panels can provide a reliable source of power for irrigation systems, livestock operations, and
other agricultural needs. By optimizing energy production, these systems can help reduce
reliance on diesel generators and other fossil fuel-based power sources.

5. Mobile and Portable Solar Solutions: Sun tracking technology can also be integrated into
mobile and portable solar solutions, such as solar-powered vehicles, boats, and camping
equipment. These systems can benefit from increased energy production while maintaining
mobility and flexibility.

6. Industrial and Commercial Installations: Industries with high energy demands, such as
manufacturing plants and warehouses, can benefit from sun tracking solar panels to offset their
electricity consumption. By optimizing energy production, these systems can help reduce
operational costs and environmental impact.

7. Research and Development: Sun tracking solar panels are often used in research and
development projects to study their performance, efficiency, and potential improvements.
Researchers may use these systems to gather data on solar energy generation in different
environmental conditions and optimize their design for specific applications.

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 REFERENCES

[1] Banerjee A., Majumder A., Banerjee A., Sarkar S., and Bosu D., “Harnessing non-
conventional solar energy through conventional thermal power systems,” International
Conference and Workshop on Computing and Communication, pp. 1–7, 2015.

[2] Jain A., Jain L., and Jain A., “Solar tracker,” Proceedings of the International Conference &
Workshop on Emerging Trends in Technology, pp. 1374, 2011.

[3] Ekins-Daukes N.J., “Solar energy for heat and electricity: the potential for mitigating climate
change,” Grantham Institute for Climate Change, briefing paper no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2009.

[4] M. Berenguel, F.R. Rubio, A. Valverde, P.J. Lara, M.R. Arahal, E.F. Camacho, M.
Lopez“An artificial vision-based control system for automatic heliostat positioning offset
correction in a central receiver solar power plant,”Solar Energy, 76

[5] (2014), pp. 563-575 [5] I. Reda, A. Andreas"Solar position algorithm for solar radiation
applications,"Solar Energy, 76 (5) (2004), pp. 577589ArticleDownload PDFView Record in
Scopus.

[6] International R. Saheli“Calculation of sun position and tracking the path of sun for a
particular geographical location,”International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced
Engineering, 2 (9) (2012),

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