SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

IOT BASED SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

BY DESIGN THINKING APPROACH

PRESENTED BY: GUIDED BY:

ARUNESH A VARATHARASAN V
19ME013
KOWSHIG G 19ME031 ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
MAHENDRAN N
RAJESH K 19ME034
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
19ME048

Batch no Final Review 1

 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

ABSTRACT
A solar tracker is a generic term used to describe devices that orient solar panel toward the sun.

 In flat-panel photovoltaic applications trackers are used to minimize the angle of incidence between the
incoming light and a photovoltaic panel.

 This increases the amount of energy produced from a fixed amount of installed power generating capacity of
a photovoltaic panel.

 This proposal presents a Solar Tracking System with Servo Motor. The system consists of solar panel and the
motion follow the direction of a sun by controlled by Lab view programming software.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

 The purpose of this Solar Tracking System is to maximize the power generation from the
photovoltaic panel.

 The main objective of this project is to develop an automatic solar tracking system which will
keep the solar panels aligned with the Sun in order to maximize in harvesting solar power. The
system tracks the maximum intensity of light.

 When the intensity of light is decreasing, this system automatically changes its direction to get
maximum intensity of light.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

INTRODUCTION
 A Bustling civilization is the vein through which modern civilization is operated. Energy day by day is put to
use at its best to fulfil the desires and ambition of the peoples at large. Each and every corner of our life is
caged with various layers of impediment and in this response, energy is becoming an indispensable factor.
 Human beings being evolutionary in nature are perhaps the best ever creation of nature is always in the race
of envisaging the probable and available comforts and benefits in every possible angle in this perilous world.
so that they can determine the Sun’s direction.
 PV solar trackers adjust the direction that a solar panel is facing according to the position of the Sun in the
sky. The most-common applications for solar trackers are positioning photovoltaic panels
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

LITERACTURE REVIEW
The US Patent no. 0215199 A1 [2007] by Robert H.

Dold describes a two- axis solar tracker capableofwithstanding the extreme weather conditions. The
solar tracker includes a solar array, a frame, a base, a pivot frame, and a first and second actuator. The
solar array is mounted to the frame and captures sunlight. The base is pivotally connected to the
frame and defines a pivot axis for elevational movement of the solar array. The pivot frame is also
pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for azimuthal movement of the solar array.
The base is pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for elevational movement of the
solar array. The pivot frame is also pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for
azimuthal movement of the solar array.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

The US patent No. 0308091 [2008] by Ronald P

Corioclaimsas an object of the his invention to mechanically link multiple solar trackers in a large array
configuration so that they may operate in unison, driven by a single motor and tracker controller,
whereby the mechanical linkage system is designed such that it must only be capable of withstanding
the relatively low forces required to effect movement of thetrackers without the requirement to resist
larger wind forces acting on the array of trackers.Another objectof his invention is to apply the drive
principles to various solar single-axis tracking geometries to maximize the economic performance for
each solar tracking application. Multiple gearboxes can be mechanically linked by drive shafts and
driven by a single motor. The drive shafts may incorporate universal joints for uneven terrain or
staggered configurations. Harmonic dampers can be affixed to the solar panels to decouple wind forces
which allow the use of larger solar panels.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

Hossein Mousazadeh et Al., (2011), Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 133

Studied and investigated maximization of collected energy from an on-board PV array, on a solar
assist plug-in hybrid electric tractor (SAPHT). A sun-tracking system was designed and
installed.Designing a time and date independent sun-tracker was desired. Using four light dependent
resistive sensors a sun-tracking system on a mobile structure was constructed and evaluated. The
experimental tests using the sun-tracking system showed that 30% more energy was collected in
comparison to that of the horizontally fixed mode. The overall surface area of the PV array was
approximately 6 m 2 and the peak output power was 540 Wp. Four LDR sensors were used to sense
the direct beams of sun. Each pair of LDRs was separated by an obstruction as a shading device. The
experimental results indicated that the designed system was very robust and effective. Typically, test
results in April illustrated that sun-tracking system as compared to the horizontally fixed mode,
enhanced collected energy by about 30%.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

Mohsen Taherbaneh (2010), International Journal of Photo energy

Article 312580is concerned with method based on simultaneous use of two fuzzy controllers
developed in order to maximize the generated output power of a solar panel in a photovoltaic
system, a fuzzy-based sun tracking and maximum power point tracking. Three methods to maximize
the output power of a solar panel were employed here. Fuzzy-basedmaximum power point tracking
was the first technique.It is observedthat by use of the technique, approximately23W was obtained
during the measurement time, which is about 51 percent of the nominal output power. In the
secondmethod,fuzzy-based sun tracking was applied and it is observed thatapproximately 11W was
obtained during the measurement period, which is about 24.5 % of the nominal output power. The
result is expected because sun tracking was only employed without maximum power point tracking
andso a small amount of the nominal power was obtained from the solar panel. Finally, the
combination of fuzzybasedmaximum power point tracking and fuzzy-based suntracking was used to
maximize the output power. It was seen that by simultaneous use of those techniques, the
outputpower could reach 35W, which is about 78% of the nominal output power.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

Ahmed Abu Hanieh (2009), GCREEDER, Amman-Jordan 2009

Highlights need for sun tracking for solar panels in the desert regions to improve the efficiency of the
photovoltaic panels. Two degrees of freedom orientation is feasible and can be done using part of
the power output of the solar panel. Kinematics of the system are simple andcan easily be controlled
using astronomicgeometric calculations taking into account thesymmetry of the system. Dynamics
show that the orientation system behaves like a low-pass filter which facilitates the pointing
operation. To solve the problem of cloudy days, closed-loop control can be added to the system by
using solar tracking sensors and feedback control loops. Aspecial care should be taken in the design
of the grid arrangement of panels in the collecting plant.A specific architecture and arrangement of
panels in the collecting grid is proposed at the end of the document.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT

 We have completed the selection and purchasing of the parts required to build the Prototype.

 The main components of our project like lithium battery, servo motor and solar panel is

going to assembly stage.

 By using the lithium battery planning to enhance the smart storage system is under process.
 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

FUTURE WORK OF THE PROJECT

 The goals of this project were a purposely kept within what was believed to be attainable within the

allotted timeline.

 As such, many advance improvements can be made up of initial design of solar tracker. It is felt this

design represents a functioning scale model which could be replicated for a much larger scale.

 Following recommendation are provided as ideas for future expansion for this project the cost further. A

spring of appropriate stiffness could be designed to avoid sudden jerks.

 More accuracy can be achieved by providing measures against wind vibrations

 SNS COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
AN AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTION
Approved by AICTE New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University Chennai
Accredited by NBA & Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade, Recognized by UGC

THANK YOU