15-06-2013, 12:02 PM
Solar Tracking System
[attachment=55458]
Abstract
Solar tracking system is microcontroller based project. Solar tracker follows the sun path during day time. Our sun path is east to west during day time. For motion we use two stepper motor. One is for 180 degree rotation east to west and the other is for 90 degree rotation vertical to horizontal. For this provision we use AT89S52 (8051) microcontroller. In this project first stepper motor rotates 180 degree in east to west direction during day time with the step angle of sun’s path. It will take 12 hours to complete the whole 180 degree rotation. And another stepper motor till the midday rotates 90 degree and then it will down towards 0 degree to catch the maximum sun light. After 12 hours hole set up will sets to initial position. And another provision given is we can set the tracker according to season likewise sun’s path. Solar tracking system uses max solar light and gives us max output. Due this feature of solar tracker it has many useful industrial applications.
INTRODUCTION
A solar tracker is a device for orienting a day lighting reflector, solar photovoltaic panel or concentrating solar reflector or lens toward the sun. The sun's position in the sky varies both with the seasons (elevation) and time of day as the sun moves across the sky. Solar powered equipment works best when pointed at or near the sun, so a solar tracker can increase the effectiveness of such equipment over any fixed position, at the cost of additional system complexity. There are many types of solar trackers, of varying costs, sophistication, and performance. Nowadays the development of the solar radiation conversion systems is focused mainly on aspects related to materials development and solar energy conversion processes. In the design process of the solar trackers the input data is the direct solar radiation that may be converted in Thermal energy (by using solar collectors) or electrical energy (by use of the photovoltaic panels). The competitiveness of the solar energy conversion system on the market deals with their efficiency and an alternative solution for improving their efficiency is the use of the tracking systems. In this project we developed three different algorithms for three different seasons.
WORKING OF PROJECT
Solar tracking system is microcontroller based project. Solar tracker follows the sun path during day time. Our sun path is east to west during day time. PV (Photovoltaic Cell) used as input. PV works as sensor, it sense any light source from nature. PV cell made from Silicon (SI). PV used in solar tracker has range of 5V and 200ma. For motion we use two stepper motor. One is for 180 degree rotation east to west and the other is for 90 degree rotation vertical to horizontal. For this provision we use AT89S52 (8051) microcontroller. In this project first stepper motor rotates 180 degree in east to west direction during day time with the step angle of sun’s path. It will take 12 hours to complete the whole 180 degree rotation. And another stepper motor till the midday rotates 90 degree and then it will down towards 0 degree to catch the maximum sun light. After 12 hours hole set up will sets to initial position. And another provision given is we can set the tracker according to season likewise sun’s path.
PROBLEM ENCOUNTER
During testing of the whole Development board of microcontroller we found out that one of the ICs do not respond as well as which I would like them to. After troubleshooting, one of the IC(ULN2003) ground was found out had been shorted with controller vcc . The reason for this is that the amount of solder had been applied too much and it shorted two ICs. I have to de-solder and change an IC and to do the tests again. This also affected the resistor and both of them had changed too.[6]
CONCLUSION
This project had been a great learning experience. Apart from engineering skills, we also learnt time management skills, project management skills and experience in starting a project which I had no idea about. We believe that we have done well with all the constraints. Although lacking in the expertise of solar tracker, we are still manage to complete the individual parts. We learned that through perseverance and hard work, things can be achieved no matter how difficult it had looked in the first place. It is certainly a fruitful and rewarding experience for me and this would certainly do me well in our future job commitments.
[attachment=55458]
Abstract
Solar tracking system is microcontroller based project. Solar tracker follows the sun path during day time. Our sun path is east to west during day time. For motion we use two stepper motor. One is for 180 degree rotation east to west and the other is for 90 degree rotation vertical to horizontal. For this provision we use AT89S52 (8051) microcontroller. In this project first stepper motor rotates 180 degree in east to west direction during day time with the step angle of sun’s path. It will take 12 hours to complete the whole 180 degree rotation. And another stepper motor till the midday rotates 90 degree and then it will down towards 0 degree to catch the maximum sun light. After 12 hours hole set up will sets to initial position. And another provision given is we can set the tracker according to season likewise sun’s path. Solar tracking system uses max solar light and gives us max output. Due this feature of solar tracker it has many useful industrial applications.
INTRODUCTION
A solar tracker is a device for orienting a day lighting reflector, solar photovoltaic panel or concentrating solar reflector or lens toward the sun. The sun's position in the sky varies both with the seasons (elevation) and time of day as the sun moves across the sky. Solar powered equipment works best when pointed at or near the sun, so a solar tracker can increase the effectiveness of such equipment over any fixed position, at the cost of additional system complexity. There are many types of solar trackers, of varying costs, sophistication, and performance. Nowadays the development of the solar radiation conversion systems is focused mainly on aspects related to materials development and solar energy conversion processes. In the design process of the solar trackers the input data is the direct solar radiation that may be converted in Thermal energy (by using solar collectors) or electrical energy (by use of the photovoltaic panels). The competitiveness of the solar energy conversion system on the market deals with their efficiency and an alternative solution for improving their efficiency is the use of the tracking systems. In this project we developed three different algorithms for three different seasons.
WORKING OF PROJECT
Solar tracking system is microcontroller based project. Solar tracker follows the sun path during day time. Our sun path is east to west during day time. PV (Photovoltaic Cell) used as input. PV works as sensor, it sense any light source from nature. PV cell made from Silicon (SI). PV used in solar tracker has range of 5V and 200ma. For motion we use two stepper motor. One is for 180 degree rotation east to west and the other is for 90 degree rotation vertical to horizontal. For this provision we use AT89S52 (8051) microcontroller. In this project first stepper motor rotates 180 degree in east to west direction during day time with the step angle of sun’s path. It will take 12 hours to complete the whole 180 degree rotation. And another stepper motor till the midday rotates 90 degree and then it will down towards 0 degree to catch the maximum sun light. After 12 hours hole set up will sets to initial position. And another provision given is we can set the tracker according to season likewise sun’s path.
PROBLEM ENCOUNTER
During testing of the whole Development board of microcontroller we found out that one of the ICs do not respond as well as which I would like them to. After troubleshooting, one of the IC(ULN2003) ground was found out had been shorted with controller vcc . The reason for this is that the amount of solder had been applied too much and it shorted two ICs. I have to de-solder and change an IC and to do the tests again. This also affected the resistor and both of them had changed too.[6]
CONCLUSION
This project had been a great learning experience. Apart from engineering skills, we also learnt time management skills, project management skills and experience in starting a project which I had no idea about. We believe that we have done well with all the constraints. Although lacking in the expertise of solar tracker, we are still manage to complete the individual parts. We learned that through perseverance and hard work, things can be achieved no matter how difficult it had looked in the first place. It is certainly a fruitful and rewarding experience for me and this would certainly do me well in our future job commitments.