7th semester project on Arduino based Automatic solar tracker using LDR.

1. Synopsis Presentation on
AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKER USING ARDUINO
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Maulana Azad College of Engineering and Technology
Neora, Patna
Under the guidance of :
Dr. Tajuddin Ali Ahmad
MD TAUKIR AHMED (118/19)
UROOZ KHAN (119/19)
ATIYA (112/19)
SHAHJAHAN (107/19)
PRESENTED BY :

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Project Background
• Solar Tracker
• Circuit Diagram
• Working Principle
• Hardware Components
• Description Of Hardware Components
• Block Diagram
• Applications
• Conclusion
• Future Scope
• References

3. INTRODUCTION
• Solar energy is a very large,
inexhaustible source of energy.
• Solar is the world’s most popular
form of new electricity generation
• The power from the sun intercepted
by the earth is approximately 1.8 x
1011 MW
• 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

4. Project Background
• 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
-> Seasonal
• To rectify these above problems the solar
panel should be such that it always
receive maximum intensity of light.
• Tracking boost the energy gains of PV
systems, by as much as 25 to 35 percent
in some cases.

5. Solar Tracker
• Solar trackers are devices used to orient photovoltaic
panels, reflectors, lenses or other optical devices
toward the sun.
• Since the sun's position in the sky changes with the
seasons and the time of day, trackers are used to align
the collection system to maximize energy production.
• Solar trackers are of two types, single and dual axis
trackers.

6. Dual Axis Tracker
• Dual axis trackers have two degrees of freedom that act as
axes of rotation.
• These axes are typically normal to one another.
• Dual axis trackers allow for optimum solar energy levels
due to their ability to follow the sun vertically and
horizontally.
• Here we have divide sun position into five areas and those
are EAST, WEST, NORTH, SOUTH, CENTER.

7. Circuit Diagram
ARDUINO

8. Working Principle
• Two LDR’s (Light Dependent Resistor) LDR1 & LDR2 are
connected to Analog pins of the Arduino. A solar plate is
attached in parallel to the axis of the servo motor and both the
sensors are kept on the solar plate.
• LDRs detect Sunlight and they send a signal to the Arduino, It
will guide two Servo Motors to better place the solar panel to
maximize its efficiency.
• The design & the arrangement is done in such a manner that
the movement of the sun is from LDR1 to LDR2, as shown in
the image below.

9. There are three cases that are to be followed:-
• Case 1: Sun is in the left side. Light on
LDR1 is high because the shadow of
barrier falls on LDR2 so solar plate
moves anticlockwise.
• Case 2: Sun is in right Side. Light on
LDR2 is high because the shadow of
barrier falls on LDR1 so solar plate
movie clockwise.
• Case 3: Sun is in the Center. Light on
both LDR’s is equal so, plate will not
rotate in any direction.

10. Hardware Components
1. Mini Solar Panel
2. Servo Motor x2
3. Arduino Uno
4. LDR sensor x2
5. Connecting Wires
6. Switch
7. Resistors 10K Ohm
8. 5 to 12 Volt power Supply

11. Mini Solar Panel
• They have two types :
Monocrystalline
Polycrystalline
• We have chosen polycrystalline solar panel.
• Is simpler and cost less than monocrystalline
• Capacity : 5V 500mA
• Max power : 2.5W

12. Arduino Uno

13. Servo Motors
• They typically have a movement range of 180 deg but
can go up to 210 deg.
• Operating speed : 0.3second/ 60 degree
• Operating voltage : 4.2V ~6V
• Here we are using two servo motors- One for
Horizontal movement and another for Vertical
movement.

14. LDR Sensor
• In the circuit two LDR (Light Dependent Resistors)
sensors are used to sense the light.
• Since LDR is an analogue sensor they are connected to
the analog pins A0 and A1 of Arduino.
• We connect both LDR from one terminal to the 5-volt
and other terminals to the Ground Through 10k-ohm
resistors in series.

15. Block Diagram
LDR 1
LDR 2
ARDUINO
MICROCONTROLLER
SERVO MOTOR
SOLAR PANEL
POWER SUPPLY

16. Advantages
• Simple
• Low cost
• Eco-Friendly
• We can monitor directly using PC
• Tracking accuracy is more
• Reduce the usage of power from power grid

17. Disadvantages
• Storage or
complimentary power
system is required.
• Limited power density.
• Must be converted to AC
when used in currently
existing distribution
grids

18. Applications
• Large & medium scale power generations.
• Power generation at remote places.
• Domestic backup power systems.
• Solar street lighting system
• Water treatment technologies and solar heating.

19. Conclusion
The proposed dual-axis solar tracking system will be
reliable and accurate throughout the year and maximize
the output power when compared to static system.
It will be a good and competitive solution for the market
place as it is expected to compete with more complex and
expensive systems.

20. Future Scope
⮚Similar to this model,
various changes can be
made and can be
implemented in schools,
offices, etc. as a secondary
source of energy.
⮚Street Lightning system can
also be replaced by this
tracking system which
would store enough energy
throughout the day and be
used at night.

21. REFERENCES
• "Solar Tracker Robot using Microcontroller" by A.B.
Afarulrazi, W. M. Utomo, K.L. Liew and M. Zarafi published
in 2011 International Conference on Business, Engineering and
Industrial Applications
• https://www.researchgate.net/
• https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/
• https://create.arduino.cc/
• https://how2electronics.com/
• https://www.grdjournals.com

22. THANK
YOU