Indian Institute of TechnologyHyderabad

SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

A Project Report submitted

In ID1035 INDEPENDENT PROJECT

PROJECT CO-ORDINATER

Dr. Kiran K Khuchi

Solar energy has two other factors in the favor.  

1. THE SOLAR OPTIONSolar energy is a very large, inexhaustible source of energy. The power from the sun intercepted by the earth is approximately 1.8*1011MW, which is many thousands of times larger than the present consumption rate on the earth of all commercial energy sources.

Solar energy could supply all the present and future energy needs of the world on a continuing basis. This makes it one of the most promising of the unconventional energy sources.

Firstly, unlike fossil fuels and nuclear power, it is environmentally clean source of energy. Secondly, it is free and available in adequate quantities in almost all parts of the world where people live. Also it has no heavy mechanical section and is free from noise.

Problem with SolarHowever, there are many problems associated with its use, the main problem is that it is dilute source of energy. Even in the hottest regions on the earth, the solar radiations flux available rarely exceeds 1 KW/m, which is a low value for technological utilization.

Problem associated with the use of solar energy is that its availability varies widely with time. The variation in availability occurs daily because of the day night cycle and also seasonally because of the earth’s orbit around the sun.

To rectify these above problems the solar panel should be such that it always receives maximum intensity of light. For existing solar panels, which are without any control systems typical level of efficiency varies from 10% to 4% - a level that should improve measurably if the present interest continues.

2. OBJECTIVE :

The aim of our project is to utilize the maximum solar energy through

solar panel . For this a Digital based automatic sun tracking system is

proposed. This project helps the solar power generating equipment to

get the maximum sunlight automatically thereby increasing the

efficiency of the system. The solar panel tracks the sun from east to

west automatically for maximum intensity of light.

To fabricate a DC motor control interfaced with driver circuit

The aim of our projects is to utilize the maximum solar energy through solar panel. For this a digital based automatic sun tracking system is proposed. This project helps the solar power generating equipment to get the maximum sunlight automatically thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. The solar panel tracks the sun from east to west automatically for maximum intensity of light.

To fabricate a DC motor control interfaced with driver circuit.

To construct a model prototype solar cell movement system with a mechanical assemble to move the panel from 180⁰ E to W.

To design an electronic circuit to sense the intensity of light and to control DC motor driver for the panel movement.

To construct an emergency light inverter circuit i.e. to operate tube light with the help of charged battery from the solar panel

4.How the Track Rack follow the sun 1.Sunrise "Wake- Up The Track Rack begins the day facing west. As the morning sun rises in the east, it heats the unshaded west-side canister with both.

2. Mid-Morning The Track Rack moved by the shifting weight of liquid flowing from one side of the tracker to the other through a copper tube that connects the east and

3. Mid-AfternoonAs the sun moves, the Track Rack follows (at approximately 15o per hour, continually seeking equilibrium as liquid moves from one side of the.

4. SunsetThe Track Rack completes its daily cycle facing west. It remains in this position overnight until it is "awakened" by the rising sun the following morning.

direct and reflected rays (from the inter surface of the "shadow plate") forcing liquid into the shaded east-side cannister.

tracker to the other.

west canisters .When one canister is exposed to the sun more than the other, its vapor pressure increases, forcing liquid to the cooler, shaded side.

AT89C4051Microcontroller

LM324Op-AmpIC

ULN2003

LDRSENSOR

STEPPER MOTOR

LM324

AT

89C

2051

1234

1µF

+5V

+5V

+5V

1K

1K

10K

10K

10K

10K

+5V

56K33P

33P

12MHz

22K

22K

6. Circuit

+12V

ULN 2003

7805Voltage

Regulator

12VBattery

-

1

2

3

8.Working with KEIL software

7.CIRCUIT DISCRIPTION COMPONENT LIST 1. IC1 LM324

2. IC2 Microcontroller AT89C2051

3. Voltage Regulator 7805

4. IC3 ULN 2003

5. LDR1 & LDR2 Light Dependent Resistor

6. Oscillator Crystal Oscillator 12MHz

7. Resistors 1K(2);10K(4);56K(1);

8. Capacitors 1µF(1);33P(2)

COMPONENT LIST 9. Variable Resistor 250K(2)

10. Battery 12V

11. Stepper Motor 1

12. LED 2 Red

Submitted by Piyush Sharma[EE12B1024]

Ajay Dhakar[CE12B1001]

Mohit Chaudhary[CE12B1014]

Vikas Kumar Yadav[CH12B1027]

Rajkumar Meena[ME12B1029]

Thank You...