Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND THE RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction

At the present time, many preference energy sources appear to be technically feasible. One of
them is solar energy (Kreider and Kreith, 1981). Panels are the fundamental solar-energy
conversion component. Conventional solar panels, fixed with a certain angle, limits their area of
exposure from the sun during the course of the day. Therefore, the average solar energy is not
always maximized. Nowadays the shortage of energy is the problem faced by the entire
world, more especially to the third world countries. Urging the researchers to find an
alternative energy source that would complement the conventional fossil fuel. The
alternative energy sources include solar, nuclear and wind. Solar energy is the energy
generated by harnessing the power of the solar radiation. It is the cleanest source of energy
which can pollute the climate the least.
This design presents an open hardware/software test bench for solar tracker. The proposed
prototype is based on a dual-axis solar tracker controlled with Arduino Uno which is an
open-source prototyping platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Generation
of power from the reduction of fossil fuels is the pricipal challenge for the next half century. The
idea of converting solar energy into electrical energy using photovoltaic panels holds its place in
the front row compared to other renewable sources. The solar tracker can be controlled
automatically with the help of Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensors or manually using a
potentiometer. In addition for that, this test bench provides virtual instrumentation based on
Excel in which its solar tracker data can be recorded and presented. The hardware used has
been chosen to be inexpensive, compact and versatile. The proposed test bench is designed
to help students develop their understanding of control theory and their application. The
change in sun’s position is monitored, and the system always keeps that the plane of the panel is
normal to the direction of the sun. This problem can be rectified by a device solar tracker
which ensures maximum intensity of sun rays hitting the surface of the panel from sun-rise
to sunset.
Review of Related Literature

Solar tracking systems are integral for many applications such as thermal energy storage systems
and solar energy based power generation systems in order to improve system performance
(Saxena,. and Dutta,. 1990; Koyuncu and Balasubramanian, 1991; Harakawa and Tujimoto,
2001). The elevation angle of the sun remains almost invariant in a month and varies little
(latitude ± 10°) in a year. For that reason, a single axis position control scheme may be sufficient
for the collection of solar energy in some applications (Konar and Mandal, 1991. Yeong-Chau, et
al., 2001. Wilamowski and Microcontroller Based Solar-Tracking System and its
Implementation, O. Bingöl, A. Altintaş, Y. Öner Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi 2006 12 (2) 243-
248 244 Journal of Engineering Sciences 2006 12 (2) 243-248 Xiangli, 2002). Large solar energy
plants with rated power of MW are becoming more and more popular as they are non-polluting
to the environment. The solar energy is the energy coming from the sun. Sun is the ultimate
source for all forms of energy. The conversion principle of solar light into electricity is called
photo-voltaic or PV conversion which is one of the most promising and challenging energetic
technologies, in continuous development, being clean, silent and reliable, with very low
maintenance costs and minimal ecological impact.

Theoretical Framework

Solar collector systems require high-precision solar trackers to increase their photovoltaic or
thermodynamic efficiency. The trackers currently in use apply discrete elements such as light
dependent resistors or photodiodes to establish the approximate position of the sun. One of the
main disadvantages of using this type of sensor is its high sensitivity to weather conditions such
as temperature and humidity. To overcome this disadvantage, solar tracking systems which
currently present a better performance and accuracy depend on sophisticated control systems and
complex electronic circuitry. Moreover, their installation and maintenance costs are usually very
high. Very few alternative solutions have been proposed. The use of low-cost webcams as
sensing elements in solar tracking systems has not been explored previously. Webcams provide a
highly developed technological platform that can be easily adapted to any type of solar tracking
mechanism. Worth mentioning that in most of the solar concentrators, computers are frequently
used to monitor and registering information regarding the amount of energy obtained, so that in
most cases a computer is available and it does not imply any additional inversion.
Conceptual Framework

The circuit of the solar tracking system is dived into two parts. First part is dealing about sensors
and other logical blocks which control the stepper motor and second part is nothing but a design
of stepper motor, which moves the panel in appropriate position. In this circuit the source of
solar energy is assumed as numeric value in Lab view software. Two sensors are placed in two
directions are joined with the input values with the help of wire. Here two thermometers are used
as a sensor. This is the example output.

The motor will move either clockwise or counter clockwise direction depending upon the
intensities. The whole circuit is built in the while loop which is found in the Lab view functions
with the help of it repeats the sub diagram inside it until the conditional terminal, an input
terminal, receives a particular Boolean value.
Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to save energy and used solar energy to our daily life. Specifically, it intended
to answer the following questions:

1. Is it safe to used?
2. What will happen if there is a bad weather how the system works?
3. What difficulties met during the process?

Hypothesis:
Significance of the Study

The result of the study will benefit the following:

a.) Save energy

b.) Convenient to use
c.) Friendly environment
d.) No harmful effect to the environment
e.) You can use the energy from the sun to charge cellphones

Scope and Limitation

The study focused on the advantages of having a solar energy that will have an impact to save
energy. Due to he increasing demand for energy, the continuous reduction in existing sources of
fossil fuels and the growing concern regarding environment pollution, have pushed mankind to
explore new technologies for the production of electrical energy using clean, renewable sources,
such as solar energy, wind energy, etc. Among the non-conventional, renewable energy sources,
solar energy affords great potential for conversion into electric power, able to ensure a
significant part of the electrical energy needs of the planet. This device was started on October 5,
2021 and we expect to finish this by the end of November.