ABSTRACT

MICROCONTROLLER BASED SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

The objective of this project is to control the position of a solar panel in

accordance with the motion of sun. Brief Methodology: This project is designed
with solar panels, LDR, ADC, Microcontroller, Stepper Motor and its driving
circuit. In this project two LDRs are fixed on the solar panel at two distinct points.
LDR (Light Dependant Resistor) varies the resistance depending upon the light
fall. The varied resistance is converted into an analog voltage signal. The analog
voltage signal is then fed to an ADC. ADC is nothing but analog to digital
Converter which receives the two LDR voltage signals and converts them to
corresponding digital signal. Then the converted digital signal is given as the
input of the microcontroller. Microcontroller receives the two digital signals from
the ADC and compares them. The LDR signals are not equal except for normal
incidence of sunlight. When there is a difference between LDR voltage levels the
microcontroller program drives the stepper motor towards normal incidence of
sunlight.
1) INTRODUCTION Renewable energy is rapidly gaining importance as an
energy resource as fossil fuel prices fluctuate. At the educational level, it is
therefore critical for engineering and technology students to have an
understanding and appreciation of the technologies associated with renewable
energy.
One of the most popular renewable energy sources is solar energy. Many
researches were conducted to develop some methods to increase the efficiency
of Photo Voltaic systems (solar panels). One such method is to employ a solar
panel tracking system .This project deals with a micro- controller based solar
panel tracking system. Solar tracking enables more energy to be generated
because the solar panel is always able to maintain a perpendicular profile to the
sun’s rays. Development of solar panel tracking systems has been ongoing for
several years now. As the sun moves across the sky during the day, it is
advantageous to have the solar panels track the location of the sun, such that the
panels are always perpendicular to the solar energy radiated by the sun. This will
tend to maximize the amount of power absorbed by PV systems. It has been
estimated that the use of a tracking system, over a fixed system, can increase
the power output by 30% - 60%. The increase is significant enough to make
tracking a viable preposition despite of the enhancement in system cost. It is
possible to align the tracking heliostat normal to sun using electronic control by a
micro controller. Design requirements are: 1) During the time that the sun is up,
the system must follow the sun’s position in the sky. 2) This must be done with an
active control, timed movements are wasteful. It should be totally automatic and
simple to operate. The operator interference should be minimal and restricted to
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only when it is actually required. The major components of this system are as
follows.

1) Input photo transducer (LDR).

2) Analog to digital converter.

3) Microcontroller.

4) 555 Timer.

5) Output mechanical transducer (stepper motor).

LDR
Stepper

ULN Motor
2803
ADC

89c2051

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Solar street lights are raised light sources which are powered by photovoltaic
panels generally mounted on the lighting structure. The photovoltaic panels
charge a rechargeable battery, which powers a fluorescent or LED lamp during
the night.

Features

Most solar panels turn on and turn off automatically by sensing outdoor light
using a light source.[1] Solar streetlights are designed to work throughout the
night. Many can stay lit for more than just one night not if sun in not available for
a couple of days. Older models included lamps that were not fluorescent or LED.
Solar lights installed in windy regions are generally equipped with flat panels to
better cope with the winds.[1]

Latest designs use wireless technology and fuzzy control theory for battery
management. The street lights using this technology can operate as a network
with each light having the capability of performing on or off the network.[2]

Types

Solar street lights are generally classified into two types.[3]

[edit] Standalone solar street lights

Standalone solar street lights have photovoltaic panels mounted on the structure.
Each street light has its own photovoltaic panels and is independent of the other
lamps.[3]
[edit] Centrally operated solar street lights

In this type, the photovoltaic panels for a group of street lights are mounted
separately. All the street lights in a particular group are connected to this central
power source.[3]
[edit] Advantages

Solar street lights are independent of the utility grid. Hence, the operation
costs are minimized.
Solar street lights require much less maintenance compared to conventional
street lights.
Since external wires are eliminated, risk of accidents is minimized.[3]

[edit] Disadvantages

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 Initial investment is higher compared to conventional street lights.
Risk of theft is higher as equipment costs are comparatively higher.[3]

Implementation in the Sunderbans

Solar street lights were installed in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) in August
2008 and April 2009 with assisstance from the Forest Protection Committee and
the STR officials. Each household in the region were provided with a home light
connection by the WWF so that the people feel responsible for the security of the
installed solar street lights.[4]

# 301,Sree Apartments, Srinivasa Colony, Madhura Nagar, Behind Ragava Hospital,

Ameerpet, Hyderabad, Visit Us @ www.mlteleservices.org
Contact Us @ 040-40209027/9492260824