Solar tracker system

contents :- Introduction Solar energy Technology Solar photovoltaic array Need of solar tracker How solar work Condition for maximum power generation System description Conclusion

Introduction: Our aim is to design the system, which will automatically track the sun’s position and accordingly change the direction of the solar panel to get the maximum output from the solar cell. solar tracking system which will increase the efficiency of solar system.

Solar energy is the most abundant stream of energy Solar energy is the most abundant stream of energy. It is available directly as solar isolation and indirectly as wind energy. Solar energy has the sources of renewable energy. Its potential is 178 Billion MW, which is about 20,000 times the world’s demand. Sun sends out energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. Solar energy :

TECHNOLOGY: Semi conductors are materials which are neither conductors nor insulators. The photo voltaic effect can be observed in nature in a variety of materials but semiconductors has shown best performance. When photons from the sun are falls on a semiconductor matrial they create for electrons with higher energies. They must be create electric field. . It provided by a junction of materials.

P-Type Semiconductor: When a small amount of trivalent impurities (e.g. Gallium, Indium, Aluminum, and Boron) are added to intrinsic semiconductor, it is called as p type semiconductor. N- Type Semiconductor: When a small amount of pentavalent impurities (e.g. Antimony, Arsenic, Bismuth, Phosphorus) are added to intrinsic semiconductors(silicon,selenium) it is called N type semiconductor.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY : The solar photovoltaic array consists of an appropriate number of solar cells connected in series and or parallel to provide the required current and voltage. There may be tracking arrays or modules or fixed arrays. A tracking array is defined as one which is always kept mechanically perpendicular to the sun.

How solar works Sunlight Photon hit the solar panels Panels convert these Photons into electrons More energy is produced in more sunlight

Transfer Electrons to inverter Convert “DC” power to “AC” power Use AC power in the home for running electronic equipment and appliances

NEED OF A SOLAR TRACKER: The output of solar cells depends on the intensity of sunlight and the angle of incidence, it means to get maximum efficiency; the solar panels must remain in front of sun during the whole day. The panels can’t maintain their position always in front of sun. This problem results in decrease of their efficiency. Thus to get a constant output, tracking system is required.

CONDITION FOR MAXIMUM POWER GENERATION: For a photovoltaic(PV) cell, the voltage produced is proportional to the power of the light hitting. if the surface of the PV cell is not orthogonal to the light source, the voltage decreases. projected area, or the cosine of the angle are showen in fig.

Maximum power is generated when = 0 cos 0 = 1 θ

v = vocosθ v = vo Vo = maximum voltage generated That means The sun rays are perpendicular falls on the solar plate. And we can increase the power generation up to 35-40 % more than a fixed solar panel.

Techniques for solar tracking system: use of sensors mounted on solar panels to obtain the desired rotation. the diurnal motion of the sun is well understood. Solar panels orientation is computer controlled and depending on sun’s calculated position.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: The tracking model is implemented using single mount flat solar panel this system consist of :- solar panel solar mount two stepper motors four photodiodes control unit A key pad is used to control the rotation of the panel manually.

Block diagram of Solar Tracker System

Working The micro-controller will read all the four sensor values I of all the four sensor value is are equal or higher than the average day light then the solar tracker system will switch to automatic mode ,else the solar tracker will switch to manual. In the automatic mode the micro-controller will first read the north and south sensor values and compare it, if the north and south sensor values are equal then no alignment is required.

else if the south sensor is less than the north the controller should switch the base stepper motor to rotate in the clockwise direction else if the south sensor is greater than the north the controller should switch the base stepper motor to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction. In the manual mode the solar panel can be rotated on both the axis using keypad, the keypad will contain four keys to move the panel in east, west, north and south direction.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF SOLAR POWER: Air Pollution: This can be caused by chemical reactants used in storage for heat transport. The release of CO, SO2, SO3, hydrocarbon vapors and other toxic gases. Land Use: Solar plants require large land and the collection field produce shading not over large areas. This may cause disturbance in local ecosystem.

Benefits of Solar Electricity (PV) Energy Independence “Fuel” is delivered free everywhere Minimal maintenance Maximum reliability Portability and mobility Reduce Vulnerability to power loss Systems are easily expanded (modularity)

Disadvantages Of Solar Tracker: It has more costly. It require more time for installing. It may be require extra power supply for motor. It require more maintaince.

APPLICATIONS: For controlling Renewable Energy sources For House hold purposes For industrial requirements

RESULT AND CONCLUSION: In the present system, solar panels used are stationary which gives less output and hence decrease the efficiency. we have tried to make an automated solar tracking system which will increase the 30%- 40% efficiency of the solar panel system.

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