Development and performance analysis of a Simple and Cost Effective Dual Axis Solar photovoltaic (PV) Tracker (DAST) based on Microcontroller

Solar tracker are the best methods for maximizing the performance of solar photovoltaic(PV) system. The maximum power can be obtained from the photovoltaic panel (PV) when the solar panel is always perpendicular to the solar rays radiated by the sun

Project Title

Development and performance analysis of a Simple and Cost Effective Dual Axis Solar photovoltaic (PV) Tracker (DAST) based on Microcontroller

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

Solar tracker are the best methods for maximizing the performance of solar photovoltaic(PV) system. The maximum power can be obtained from the photovoltaic panel (PV) when the solar panel is always perpendicular to the solar rays radiated by the sun . In this proposed prototype, the design and implementation of cost effective “ dual-axis solar photovoltaic tracker” will be made to trace the sun’s radiations by using the minimum components . In dual-axis mechanism, the two servomotors (horizontal and vertical) will be employed to position the photovoltaic panel to the maximum intensity of the sunlight captured by photoresistors  placed in the photovoltaic panel. The dual axis solar photovoltaic tracker will be made and examined with the help of a virtual  instrument that is based  on excel sheet to analyze its performance. Furthermore, comparison will be made from the proposed prototype and a static panel to compare its performance.

Project Objectives

• To design and develop a simple and cost effective active dual axis solar photovoltaic (PV) based on microcontroller
• To compare the performance of dual axis solar photovoltaic tracker with static photovoltaic panel
• Performance analysis of the developed prototype

Project Implementation Method

The project has two stages, one is hardware and other is software. In hardware stage,photoresistor has been used for capturing maximum light  from the sun and two  DC servo motors have been used to move the solar photovoltaic panel horizontally and vertically simultaneously. Moreover, parallax data acquisition tool is used as  instrument to visualize the , current, voltage and power of the PV panel according to the time in excel sheet for the data analysis purpose. Arduino Uno microcontroller  is employed to apply the software as well as hardware requirements of the tracker. The performance of the proposed prototype will be tested and also compared with the static solar photovoltaic system.

Benefits of the Project

• Improve the performance of photovoltaic system.
• Affordable and clean energy.
• Pollution free and environment friendly.
• Captures more energy from the sun radiations.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

• The final prototype is a hardware embedded with four photoresistors for capturing maximum light from the sun and two servomotors that moves the solar panel horizontally and vertically automatically.
• The parameters of photovoltaic panel like voltage, current and power will be analyzed in excel sheet.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Others

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

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