instructables

Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO

by OmA17

Solar energy is becoming more and more prevalent
across the world. Currently, many methods are being
researched to make solar panels output more energy,
reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and coal. One
way to do this is to have the panels move, always
facing the sun in the sky. This allows optimal energy
collection, making solar panels more efficient.
This Instructable will look into how solar trackers
work, and implement such a method into a solar
tracker prototype using an Arduino UNO.

Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO: Page 1

Step 1: How Solar Trackers Work
There are 3 main methods which are used to control
a solar tracker. The first is a passive control system,
and the other two are active control systems. The
passively controlled solar tracker contains no sensors
or actuators but changes its position based on heat
from the Sun. By using gas with a low boiling point in
a container mounted on hinges at its middle, similar
to a see-saw, the solar panel can change its position
based on the direction of heat from the Sun.
The active systems are a bit different. Both require a
In this Instructable, we will use the sensor based
active control system.
Step 2: System Diagram/Component Overview
How this system works is shown in the pictures
above. There will be 1 light dependent resistor on
each side of a divider. This divider will cast a shadow
on the sensor on one side of the panel, creating a
drastic difference between the two sensor readings.
This will prompt the system to move toward the
brighter side to equalize sensor readings, optimizing
solar panel position. In the case of a 2 axis solar
tracker, this same principle can be used, with 3
sensors instead of two (1 on left, 1 on right, 1 on
bottom). The left and right sensors can be averaged,
and this reading can be compared with the bottom
sensor to determine how much the panel must move
up or down.
Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO: Page 2
processing system, as well as actuators to move the
panels. One way to actively control solar panels is to
transmit the Sun's position to the panels. The panels
then orient themselves to this position in the sky.
Another method is by using sensors to detect the
sun's position. By using Light Dependent Resistors
(LDRs), its possible to detect varying light levels.
These sensors are then used to determine where the
sun is in the sky, allowing the panel to orient itself
appropriately.
Main Components Overview
Arduino UNO: This is the microcontroller for this
project. It reads sensor data and determines how
much and in which direction the servos must turn.
Servo: These are the actuators used for this project.
They are easy to control and very precise, making it
perfect for this project.
Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs): These are
variable resistors that detect light levels. These are
used to determine the position of the sun in the sky.
Step 3: Materials/Equipment

The materials used to build this project are:

1. Arduino UNO
2. 2 Servos
3. 3 Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs)
4. 3 10k Ohm Resistors
5. Popsicle sticks
6. Cardboard

The tools used to build this project are:

1. Soldering Iron
2. Tape
3. Scissors
4. Utility Knife
5. Hot Glue Gun

Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO: Page 3

Step 4: Circuit Schematic

Above is the schematic used to wire the solar tracker LR Servo

together.
Signal - 2
Pin Connections:
Ground - GND
Left Photoresistor
VCC - 6 V Battery Pack
Pin 1 – 3.3V
TB Servo
Pin 2 - A0, GND (10k ohm resistor between Pin 2 and
GND) Signal - 3

Right Photoresistor Ground - GND

Pin 1 – 3.3V

Pin 2 - A1, GND (10k ohm resistor between Pin 2 and VCC - 6 V Battery Pack
GND)
Arduino Power
Bottom Photoresistor
VIN - 6 V Battery Pack
Pin 1 – 3.3V
GND - 6 V Battery Pack GND
Pin 2 - A2, GND (10k ohm resistor between Pin 2 and
GND)

1. VIN is connected to the positive end of the battery, and GND is connected
to the negative end.

Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO: Page 4

Step 5: Assembly

After soldering together the circuit onto a perf board
(feel free to use a breadboard instead), its time to
assemble the device. I used cardboard and a
styrofoam block to create a base and panel holder for
the tracker, as well as a divider wall for the sensors
using popsicle sticks. This step is up to you. Try
experimenting with different divider wall lengths,
heights, and shapes, as well as sensor placement, to
see how it affects the tracking ability of the device.

Step 6: Software

Now that assembly is complete, its time to create software for the device. The Arduino sketch is attached below.

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F2H/MMP2/JVCNICFG/F2HMMP2JVCNICFG.ino
…

Step 7: Software Flowchart

Here is a flowchart of how the device works.

Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO: Page 5

Step 8: Conclusion

If you power the device up and shine a bright light on the panel, the tracker will orient itself to face the light directly.
I have attached a test video of the project below. I hope you liked this project! Feel free to ask any question in the
comments section and I will try to answer them. Thanks!

Download
https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F4L/LIKQ/JVE7M4KR/F4LLIKQJVE7M4KR.mov
…

Building an Automatic Solar Tracker With Arduino UNO: Page 6