DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

A project based experiment report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for EDC
Laboratory
in
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
by
G PRABHAT (17331A0243) G SUDHEER KUMAR (17331A0245)
A LEELA ANUDEEP (17331A0201) G ANVESH (17331A0241)

Under the esteemed guidance of

Mr. Ch Satyanarayana Mr. S M K Patnaik
Dr. Yogananda Patnaik Mr. B Jagannath Ch Yadav

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

M.V.G.R. College of Engineering
VIZIANAGARAM

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

MAHARAJ VIJAYARAM GAJAPATHI RAJ
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
(Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada)
VIZIANAGARAM
2017-2021
 DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
MAHARAJ VIJAYARAM GAJAPATHI RAJ COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
(Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada)
VIZIANAGARAM
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this is a bonafide report of project work entitled “DUAL AXIS SOLAR

TRACKING SYSTEM” being submitted by G PRABHAT (17331A0243), A LEELA

ANUDEEP (17331A0201), G SUDHEER KUMAR (17331A0245) & G ANVESH
(17331A0241) in partial fulfilment for requirements in EDC Laboratory in Electrical and
Electronics Engineering, MVGR College of Engineering (A) during the Academic year 2017-
2021. This results embedded in this have not been submitted any other institute or University
for the award of degree or diploma.

Project Supervisor Head of the Department

Mr. Ch Satyanarayana Dr. Sarat Kumar Sahu
Assistant Professor Professor / H.O.D.
Department of EEE Department of EEE
M.V.G.R. College of Engineering M.V.G.R. College of Engineering
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is our privilege to express our sincere thanks to our project guides Mr. Ch Satyanarayana,
Mr. S M K Patnaik, Dr. Yogananda Patnaik & Mr. B Jagannath Ch Yadav,
Department of Electrical and Electronics engineering, for their valuable guidance,
encouragement, whole - hearted cooperation and constructive criticism throughout the
duration of our project.

We deeply express our sincere thanks to Dr. Sarat Kumar Sahu, Head of the Department
for his continuous encouragement.

We also thank Dr. K.V.L. Raju, Principal, for extending his utmost support and cooperation
in providing all the provisions for the successful completion of project.

We consider our privilege to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Y M C Sekhar, for his
suggestions and constant motivation that greatly helped the project to be completed
successfully.

We take this opportunity to thank all our faculty members who have directly or indirectly
helped our project. We pay our respects and love to our parents and all other family members
and friends for their love and encouragement throughout our career. Last but not the least we
express our thanks to our friends for their cooperation and support.
Abstract

“Solar Tracking System” is a power generating method from sunlight. This method of power
generation is simple and is taken from natural resource. This needs maximum irradiance to
generate energy. This project helps for power generation by setting the equipment to get
maximum sunlight automatically. This system is implemented for tracking maximum
intensity of light. When there is decrease in intensity of light, this system automatically
changes its direction to get maximum intensity of light.
Problem statement
Problem identification:
Efficiency associated with the solar power plant is approximately 20%.
 Due to fixed position of solar panels minimum amount of solar energy is trapped, so
less energy is produced in the solar power plant.
 During the day time in only one direction solar energy is trapped.
 The solar power plant generates power through the solar modules, and if these
modules are not of the best efficiency then it’s obvious that power plants efficiency is
also bound to decrease.
Proposed solution:
 By using rotating solar panels in the direction of sun we can improve the total
efficiency of the solar power plant by capturing more solar energy.
 By using better solar modules we can improve the efficiency of the solar plant.
 Solar energy can be utilized in an efficient way by using solar tracking system.
Contents
ABSTRACT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Chapter 1............................................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 2............................................................................................................................................... 10
2.1 TYPES OF SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2 SOLAR TRACKING BASED ON DRIVES.............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 3............................................................................................................................................. 146

3.1. COMPONENT DESCRIPTION .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.7

3.1.1 IC L293D ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1.2.IC LM 339D ......................................................................................................................... 17
3.1.3 LDR...................................................................................................................................... 18
3.1.4 DC MOTOR......................................................................................................................... 18
3.1.5 BREAD BOARD ................................................................................................................. 19
3.1.6 POTENTIOMETER............................................................................................................. 19
3.1.7 SOLAR PANEL................................................................................................................... 19
Chapter 4............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.1. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.2. CIRCUIT OPERATION ..................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1.3. CIRCUIT MODEL FOR SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM Error! Bookmark not defined.
Chapter 5............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5.1 BIBLOGRAPHY ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.5
APPENDIX ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1 Complete solar tracker system.............................. 1Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 2.1 Single axis tracker system ...................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 2.2 Dual axis tracker system ......................................................................................... 14
Figure 3.1 IC L293D ................................................................................................................ 17
Figure 3.2 PIN Diagram of IC L293D ..................................................................................... 17
Figure 3.3 IC LM339 ............................................................................................................... 18
Figure 3.4 LDC and its IV charcteristics ................................................................................. 18
Figure 3.5 DC Motor................................................................................................................ 19
Figure 3.6 Solar panel .............................................................................................................. 19
Figure 3.7 Solar panel IV characteristics ................................................................................. 20
Figure 4.1 Circuit for solar tracking system ............................................................................ 22
Figure 4.2 Proposed assembly for the solar tracking system ................................................... 23
Figure 4.3 Connection diagram of proposed tracking system ................................................. 23

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1 Specifications of DC Motor ..................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Table 3.2 Specification of Solar Panel ..................................................................................... 20

NOMENCLATURE

LDR = Light dependent resistor

IC = Integrated circuit
PV = Photo voltaic
LM = Linear monolithic
Chapter 1

8
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Solar Panels are a form of active solar power harnessing devices. Solar Cells, or photovoltaic
cells, are arranged in a grid-like pattern on the surface of the solar panel. Solar panels are
typically constructed with crystalline silicon, which is used in other industries (such as the
microprocessor industry), and the more expensive gallium arsenide, which is produced
exclusively for use in photovoltaic (solar) cells. Solar panels collect solar radiation from the
sun and actively convert that energy to electricity. Solar panels are comprised of several
individual solar cells. These solar cells function similarly to large semiconductors and utilize
a large area p-n junction diode. When the solar cells are exposed to sunlight, the p-n junction
diodes convert the energy from sunlight into usable electrical energy. The energy generated
from photons striking the surface of the solar panel allows electrons to be knocked out of
their orbits and released, and electric fields in the solar cells pull these free electrons in a
directional current, from which metal contacts in the solar cell can generate electricity. The
more solar cells in a solar panel and the higher the quality of the solar cells, the more total
electrical output the solar panel can produce. The conversion of sunlight to usable electrical
energy has been dubbed the photovoltaic effect. A solar tracker is a device that orients a
payload toward the sun. The use of solar trackers can increase electricity production by
around a third, and some claim by as much as 40% in some regions, compared with modules
at a fixed angle. In any solar applications, the conversion efficiency is improved when the
modules are continually adjusted to the optimum angle as the sun traverses the sky. As
improved efficiency means improved yield, use of trackers can make quite a difference to the
income from a large plant.

Figure: 1.1: Complete solar tracker system

9
Chapter 2

10
2.1 TYPES OF SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM
The Sun position in the sky varies both the seasons and time of day as the Sun moves across
the sky. Hence there are two types of solar tracker.
 Commercial purpose of solar tracking system:
 Increase Solar Panel Output.
 Maximum efficiency of the panel.
 Maximize Power per unit area.
 Able to grab the energy throughout the day
Different types of solar tracking system include,
(i) Single axis tracker
(ii) Dual axis tracker
Single axis solar tracker: Single axis solar trackers can either have a horizontal or a vertical
axle. The horizontal type is used in tropical regions where the sun gets very high at noon, but
the days are short. The vertical type is used in high latitudes (such as in UK) where the sun
does not get very high, but summer days can be very long.

Figure: 2.1: Single axis tracker system

Dual axis solar tracker: Double axis solar trackers have both a horizontal and a vertical axle
and so can track the sun’s apparent motion exactly anywhere in the world. This type of
system is used to control astronomical telescopes, and so there is plenty of software available
to automatically predict and track the motion of the sun across the sky. Dual axis trackers
track the sun both east to west and north to south for added power output (approx. 40% gain)
and convenience.

11
 Figure: 2.2: Dual axis tracker system

2.2 SOLAR TRACKING BASED ON DRIVES

Solar tracker drives, can be divided into three main types depending on the type of drive and
sensing or positioning system that they incorporate.

1. Passive Trackers: Use the sun’s radiation to heat gases that move the tracker across
the sky.
2. Active Trackers: Use electric or hydraulic drives and some type of gearing or actuator
to move the tracker.
3. Open Loop Trackers: Use no sensing but instead determine the position of the sun
through pre recorded data for a particular site.

Passive trackers: Passive trackers use a compressed gas fluid in two canisters each place in
west and east of the tracker. The mechanism is in such a way that if one side cylinder is
heated other side piston rises causing the panel to tilt over the sunny side. This affects the
balance of the tracker and caused it to tilt. This system is very reliable and needs little
maintenance.

Active trackers: Active trackers measure the light intensity from the sun by using light
sensors to determine where the solar modules should be pointing. Light sensors are
positioned on the tracker at various locations in specially shaped holders. If the sun is not
facing the tracker directly there will be a difference in light intensity on one light sensor
compared to another and this causes to determine in which direction the tracker has to tilt.

Light dependent resistor is made of a high resistance semiconductor. It can also be referred to
as a photoconductor. If light falling on the device is of the high enough frequency, photons

12
absorbed by the semiconductor give bound electrons enough energy to jump into the
conduction band. The resulting free electron (and its hole partner) conduct electricity, thereby
lowering resistance. Hence, light dependent resistors is very useful in light sensor circuits.
LDR is very high resistance, sometimes a sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity
and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument.

13
Chapter 3

14
3.1 COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
3.1.1 IC L 293D: The L293D is a 16 pin IC, with eight pins, on each side, dedicated to the
controlling of a motor. There are 2 INPUT pins, 2 OUTPUT pins and 1 ENABLE pin for
each motor. L293D consist of two H-bridge. H-bridge is the simplest circuit for controlling a
low current rated motor.

Figure: 3.1: IC L293D

Figure: 3.2: Pin diagram of IC L293D

3.1.2 IC LM 339: LM 339 is a comparator IC with four inbuilt comparators. A comparator is

a simple circuit that moves signals between the analog and digital worlds. It compares two
input voltage levels and gives digital output to indicate the larger one.

15
 Figure: 3.3: IC LM339

3.1.3 LDR: A Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is also called a photo resistor or a cadmium
sulphide (CdS) cell. It is basically a photocell that works on the principle of
photoconductivity. The passive component is basically a resistor whose resistance value
decreases when the intensity of light decreases.

Figure: 3.4: LDR and Its I-V Characteristics

3.1.4 DC Motors: The DC motor is the device which converts the direct current into the
mechanical work. It works on the principle of Lorentz Law, which states that “the current

16
carrying conductor placed in a magnetic and electric field experience a force”. And that force
is called the Lorentz force.

Figure: 3.5: DC Motor

Specifications of DC motor used in project:

S No Parameter Rating
1 Voltage 12 V
2 Torque 1 N-m
3 Speed 3 rpm

Table: 3.1: Specification of DC Motor

3.1.5 Bread Board: A breadboard is a solder less device for temporary prototype with
electronics and test circuit designs. Most electronic components in electronic circuits can be
interconnected by inserting their leads or terminals into the holes and then making
connections through wires where appropriate.
3.1.6 Potentiometer: A potential divider is a simple circuit which takes advantage of the way
voltages drop across resistors in series. The idea is that by using two resistors in series it is
possible to divide a voltage and create a different voltage between them.
3.1.7 Solar Panel: Photovoltaic solar panels absorb sunlight as a source of energy to generate
electricity. A photovoltaic (PV) module is a packaged, connected assembly of typically 6X10
photovoltaic solar cells. Photovoltaic modules constitute the photovoltaic array of a
photovoltaic system that generates and supplies solar electricity in commercial and residential
applications.

Figure: 3.6: Solar panel

17
Specifications of Solar panel used in project:

S No Parameter Rating
1 Dimensions 12 cm X 8 cm
2 Voltage 12 V
3 Current 600 mA

Table: 3.2: Specification of solar panel

Solar panel IV characteristics:

Figure: 3.7: Solar panel IV Characteristics

18
Chapter 4

19
4.1 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
4.1.1 Circuit diagram
Generally, solar panels are stationary and do not follow the movement of the sun. Here is a
solar tracker system that tracks the sun’s movement across the sky and tries to maintain the
solar panel perpendicular to the sun’s rays, ensuring that the maximum amount of sunlight is
incident on the panel throughout the day. The solar tracker starts following the sun right from
dawn, throughout the day till evening, and starts all over again from the dawn next day.

Figure: 4.1: Circuit for solar tracking system

4.1.2 Circuit operation
 When LDR2 receives more light than LDR1, it offers lower resistance than LDR1,

20
 providing a high input to comparators A1 and A2 at pins 4 and 7, respectively. As a
result, output pin 1 of comparator A2 goes high to rotate motor M1 in one direction
(say, anti-clockwise) and turn the solar panel.
 When LDR1 receives more light than LDR2, it offers lower resistance than LDR2,
giving a low input to comparators A1 and A2 at pins 4 and 7, respectively. As the
voltage at pin 5 of comparator A1 is now higher than the voltage at its pin 4, its output
pin 2 goes high. As a result, motor M1 rotates in the opposite direction (say, clock-
wise) and the solar panel turns.
 Similarly, LDR3 and LDR4 track the sun along Y axis. Fig. 2 shows the proposed
assembly for the solar tracking system.

Figure: 4.2: Proposed assembly for the solar tracking system

4.1.3 Circuit model for solar tracking system

Figure: 4.3: Connection diagram of proposed solar tracking system

21
Chapter 5

22
BIBLOGRAPHY
[1] “Design and construction of an automatic solar tracking system”, Tanvir Aarafat Khan
Md, S M Shahrear; presented at 6th International conference on ICECE 2010.

Web reference:

[2] https://electronicsforu.com

[3] https://www.wikipedia.org/

23