Approach on Development a Dual Axis Solar Tracking

http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperDownload.aspx?paperID=61480

To track the sun in two directions that is elevation and azimuth, a dual-axis tracking prototype is developed to capture the maximum sun rays by tracking the movement of the sun in four different directions. One axis is azimuth which allows the solar panel to move left and right. The other axis is elevation and allows the panel to turn up and down. The result of this new development provides the solar panels with extensive freedom of movement. This new approach will make use of the Light Depending Resistor (LDR) which is important to detect the sun light by following the source of the sun light location. AutoCAD software is being used to design the draft in 2-dimension (2D) for the hardware dual axis solar tacker. Sketch Up software is being used to sketch the drawing to be more real in 3-dimension (3D). Proteus software is being used to design the circuit for the Arduino UNO microcontrollers and H-BridgeIC chip. This implemented system can save more energy and probably offers more reduction in cost. The paper discusses the process of hardware development and the control process of tracking the sun, as well as the circuit design.The authors made a solar panel that can track the sun's position in two directions, azimuth and elevation. In this paper, a dual axis tracking prototype is developed to catch the maximum sun rays by tracking the movement of the sun in 4 different directions. This paper presents extensive freedom of movement of the solar panel, by using Light Dependent Resistor (LDR). The authors were using AutoCAD software to design the draft of the system, and they were using SketchUp software to convert it to 3D model. In order to make the project cost-efficient, the authors were using Proteus software to design and to simulate the circuit of the system before they made the hardware. The brain of the system is Arduino UNO micro controller, and the system also uses H-Bridge IC chip.

First step to build the system was making the design model in AutoCAD software in 2D version then converted it in 3D by using SketchUp software.

LDRs are used as the sensors of the system. Each LDR gives different resistance value, so the voltage value from each LDR branch can be processed by the Arduino to actuate the DC motor and move the solar panel until the solar panel is facing the sun perpendicularly.

Both single-axis and dual-axis are highly efficient in terms of the electrical energy output when compared to the fixed mount system. Compare to single axis solar tracker, the Dual axis tracker is having more efficiency. The main contributions of this work are the development of a two axis solar tracker prototype that uses four sensors to predict the sun apparent position. By using the AutoCAD software, it helps to design the draft for the hardware dual axis solar tracker. Sketch Up is also software being used for confirmation of this purpose. With this software, 3D design about the prototype model can be made. It helps to make the sketch better and more accurate. The Arduino and Proteus help to make the circuit not so difficult, which save a lot of time and energy. In this system further research is needed to make the system more precise and complete.

Weakness

• This solar tracker is only a prototype without using the real solar panel, so the weight of the hardware is not calculated.
• The DC motor cannot point the angle in precisely (coarse).