AUTOMATIC SUN TRACKING
SYSTEM
Logitha & Nishandhini
Dept of Electronics and Communication Engineering
IFET College Of Engineering (An Autonomous Institution)
Address—No 17, Valli Nagar, Salainagar(logitha)
No 29, Otthai Street, Kurunjipadi(nishandhini)
Email-- Logitha0414@gmail.com
Abstract— The aim of this paper is to solve the problem of
energy crisis which is considerably serious issue in today’s
period. It is becoming essential to increase use of renewable
sources of energy namely solar energy as compared to
conventional sources for energy generation. A technology
namely solar tracking system is introduced to improve
efficiency of solar cells by tracking sun’s energy. It uses
8051 microcontroller and stepper motor to move solar
panel according to position of sun. Photo resistors are also
used to detect light intensity.
Keywords—solar energy, Photo resistors, Solar panel and
microcontroller.
I. INTRODUCTION
Extracting usable electricity from the sun was
made possible by the discovery of the photoelectric
effect. Subsequent development of the solar cell,
which is a semi-conductive material that converts
visible light into a direct current. Solar arrays, a
series of solar cells electrically connected, generates
a DC voltage which can be used on a load. The
Automatic Sun tracking System (ASTS) was helpful
to solve the problem, mentioned above. It is
completely automatic and keeps the panel in front of
sun until that is visible. The unique feature of this
system is that instead of taking the earth as its
reference, it takes the sun as a guiding source. The
most promising and fastest moving solar technology
today is that of solar cells, flat metallic blue chips
made of highly pure silicon that can convert sunlight
into electricity. These photo-voltaic cells for a
variety of applications such as:
1. Water pumps for irrigation and drinking water
supplies.
2. Power supply for microwave repeater station.
3. Communication equipment, radio and television
receivers.
4. Solar water heaters.
5. Solar refrigeration.
nishunisha2345@gmail.com
II. LITERATURE SURVEY
Many researchers have tried to find the
alternative energy to replace the gas. One of the
alternative energy that we can use is photovoltaic
energy. In solar photovoltaic, sunlight is actually
converted into electricity. Sunlight is made of
photons, small particles of energy. These photons are
absorbed by and pass through the material of a solar
cell or solar photovoltaic panel. In many solar
energy systems, the battery stores energy for later
use. Light dependent resistors are used as the sensors
of the solar tracker. The tracking system maximizes
solar cell output by positioning a solar panel at the
point of maximum light intensity. This is especially
true when the sun is shining strongly. The unique
feature of this solar tracking system is that instead of
taking the earth as its reference, it takes the sun as a
guiding source. Solar panels made of silicon to
convert sunlight into electricity. Solar photovoltaic
are used in a number of ways:
A. Tracking System:
The tracking system was driven by two permanent
magnet DC motors to provide motion of the PV
panels in two axis. The project describes the use of a
Microcontroller based design methodology of an
automatic solar tracker. Light dependent resistors are
used as the sensors of the solar tracker. The tracking
system maximizes solar cell output by positioning a
solar panel at the point of maximum light intensity.
This paper describes the use of DC motors, special
motors like stepper motors, servo motors, real time
actuators, to operate moving parts of the solar
tracker. The system was designed as the normal line
of solar cell always move parallel to the rays of the
sun.
B. Solar Tracker:
A solar tracker is a generic term used to describe
devices that orient or align various payloads toward
the sun. Example for payloads are photovoltaic
panels, reflectors, Collectors, lenses or other optical
devices. The system focuses on the optimization of
the electric energy produced by photovoltaic cells
through the development of a sun-tracking system.

C. Solar System:
A solar system refers to a star and all the objects
that travel in orbit around it. Our solar system
consists of the sun - our star - eight planets and their F. Circuit Diagram:
natural satellites (such as our moon); dwarf planets;
asteroids and comets. Our solar system is located in
an outward spiral of the Milky Way galaxy.
1.The sun is one of the more than 100 billion stars
in the giant spiral gallery called the Milky Way.
2. The sun is the center of the solar system. It
means is about 740 times as much as that of all the
plants combined.
3. The sun continuously gives off energy in
several furs visible light gamma rays, cosmic rays,
radio waves and plasma the sun generally ore in G. Input:
almost circular orbit around the galactic center at an The various positions of the sun over a year for a
average speed of about 250km per second. particular geographical location is given as the
primary input to the microcontroller. The irradiance
D. Sun Tracking System: of the sun for a particular geographical location over
From dawn to dusk the sun keeps changing the a year is the secondary input for the microcontroller.
angle from 0-90 rising and 90-180 declining. In a The real time clocking is enabled in the
year of 365 days the sun moves approximately 22.5 microcontroller.
degrees north to 22.5 degrees south of the equator.
We get maximum energy from the sun when - The H. Working:
angle of the sun is degrees - The sun’s position is 0 • Interfacing between hardware and
+/- 5 degrees of the equator. microcontroller.
• Inputs to microcontroller.
• Controlling constraints.

I. Conditions For Maximum Output:

Energy Production
E. Stepper motor:
It is a position controlled device which is used to
translate electrical pulses into mechanical movement
of solar panel. The leads of stator winding is
controlled by 4 bits of 8051 port. Stepper motor is
interfaced with microcontroller using driver IC
ULN2003. The reason behind this is that
microcontroller cannot provide enough current to
drive the motor. It consumes less power and has less
operating voltage.
The difference between the incident ray and the
reflected ray should be equal to zero, i.e. the rays
should be perpendicular to the panel. The altitude is
directly proportional to the efficiency of the system
up to a certain limit. Very clear sky and clean
atmosphere contributes a bit more to the efficiency
of the system.
J. Controlling Constraints:
The microcontroller is programmed to orient the
panel at optimum position against the sun, via
comparing to the inputs given. The microcontroller
is set with a lower tolerance for the voltage produced.
If the voltage produced is above the tolerance then it
holds the position of the panel. If the voltage falls
below the tolerance, then the panel changes the
position in the forward direction.
K. Photovoltaic System:
Solar or photovoltaic system are developing
higher levels of performance and are also
becoming cheaper. In the home sector,
photovoltaic systems with innovative solar
storage systems can provide an economically
attractive alternative to traditional grid
connections. Solar batteries are a viable energy
backup plan. These batteries are optimized to
store solar energy generated by photovoltaic
solar panels.
L. Applications:
• Can be used for small & medium scale power
generations.
• For power generation at remote places where
power lines are not accessible.
• For domestic backup power systems.
M. Advantages:
• Solar tracking systems continually orient
photovoltaic panels towards the sun and can
help maximize your investment in your PV
system.
• One time investment, which provides higher
efficiency & flexibility on dependency over
other sources.
• Tracking systems can help reducing
emissions and can contribute against global
warming.
• Bulk implementations of tracking systems
help reduced consumption of power by other
sources.
• It enhances the clean and emission free
power production.
N. Disadvantages:
• Initial investment is high on solar panels.
• It’s a bit of difficult for servicing, as the
tracking systems are not quite popular
regionally.
• Moving parts and gears which will require
regular maintenance.
• May require repair or replacement of broken
parts over a long run.
O. Basic Components:
• The Solar Panel
• Stepper Motor
• Actuator
• Microcontroller
• A Display Unit (Optional)
• Interfacing Cables
III. CONCLUSION
On one hand we can see the worlds energy
resources depletion to be a major problem. On the
other hands global warming, which is a major
concern. Switching to solar power, which is clean
and green and enhancing its efficiency by using sun
trackers is a great option in the near future.
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