ABSTRACT

This study aims to design a solar tracking system based on microcontroller Arduino using sensors to facilitate optimum solar panel positioning. The system consists of several electronic components such as microcontroller, sensors, batteries, DC motor. The research method used in this experiment is a direct test of the tool. The result of this final product is a microcontroller, based solar tracking system that uses sensors to check for high sun rays. Based on the results of the manufacture, operation and testing of tools. It is known that the working mechanism of microcontroller-based solar tracking system using ultrasonic sensor, works in accordance with expectation and supporting theories. 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page                                                                                                                                i

Declaration                                                                                                                              ii

Certification                                                                                                                            iii

Dedication                                                                                                                              iv

Acknowledgement                                                                                                                  v

Table of content                                                                                                                      vi

List of Table                                                                                                                            viii

List of figures                                                                                                                         ix

Abstract                                                                                                                                  x

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0  Background                                                                                                                      1

1.1 Statement of problems                                                                                                      7

1.2 Objectives                                                                                                                         7

1.2.1 Aim                                                                                                                                7

1.2.2 General objectives                                                                                                          7

1.3 Significances                                                                                                                     8

1.4 Limitations                                                                                                                        8

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Thermal application of solar energy                                                                                  9

2.2 Electrical application of solar energy                                                                                11

2.3 Factors affecting the efficiency of solar cells                                                                   19

2.4 Types of solar PV modules                                                                                               20

2.5 Components of PV system                                                                                               22

2.6 Rays transmission from sun                                                                                              25

2.7 Solar angles                                                                                                                       27

CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Materials                                                                                                                           29

3.1.1 DC Motor                                                                                                                      29

3.1.2 Light dependent resistor (LDR)                                                                                                30

3.2 Methodology                                                                                                                    33

3.2.1 Theoretical framework                                                                                                   33

3.2.2 Study design                                                                                                                  35

3.3 Solar tracking system                                                                                                        36

3.4 Mathematical calculations                                                                                     42

3.4.1 Solar calculations                                                                                                           42

3.4.2 Torque calculation                                                                                                          44

3.5 Design                                                                                                                               45

3.5.1 Mechanical design                                                                                                         45

3.5.2 Electrical design                                                                                                             47

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS AND EVALUATION

4.1 Experiment results                                                                                                49

4.2 Analysis                                                                                                                            52

CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion                                                                                                                        53

5. 2 Recommendation                                                                                                             53

LIST OF TABLE

Table 1: solar Energy production by countries                                                                       6

Table 2: Types of concentrator                                                                                               11

Table 3: Photovoltaic array output for sunny bright day                                                        49

Table 4: LDR output for cloudy day                                                                                      50

Table 5: LDR output for bright day                                                                                       51

LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 1: Layers of solar PV module                                                                                      3

Figure 2: Photoelectric effect in PV cell                                                                                 12

Figure 3: I-V Curve of solar cells                                                                                           15

Figure 4: Pictorial form of PV panel                                                                                       18

Figure 5: Pictorial presentation from solar cell to solar array                                      19

Figure 6: Types of solar cells                                                                                                  20

Figure 7: Solar design configuration                                                                                       25

Figure 8: Earth’s energy budget                                                                                             26

Figure 9: Low speed high torque DC Motor 12V/14RPM                                                     29

Figure 10: RDR characteristics                                                                                               39

Figure 11: A Light speed dependent resistor                                                                         32

Figure 12: Schematic diagram of single-axis solar tractor/ double-axis solar tractor  33

Figure 13: Variation in Trajectory of Sun from winter to summer                                         34

Figure 14: Sample flow chart of tracking system with component                                        35

Figure 15: Study design process                                                                                             36

Figure 16: Power comparism of dual-axis, single-axis and fixed-axis mode                          38

Figure 17: Sun path diagram for Dhulikhel                                                                            39

Figure 18: Algorism for tracking                                                                                            41

Figure 19: Mechanical view of solar tracking system                                                             45

Figure 20: Circuit diagram                                                                                                      48