low cost solar tracker to maximize the capture of solar energy in tropical countries

1. LOW-COST SOLAR TRACKER TO
MAXIMIZE THE CAPTURE OF SOLAR
ENERGY IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES
DIVISION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
COCHIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING KUTTANAD (CUCEK)
COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(CUSAT)

2. INTRODUCTION
• Trend towards shift in electric powered systems is increasing the demand for greener
sources of energy supply such as renewable energy.
• In comparison to wind, tidal and hydropower sources of renewable energy, solar derived
energy provides an extra advantage for countries located in the tropical regions where
solar resource is in abundance.
• The purpose of this study is to devise a low-cost and portable solar tracker to maximize
the capture of solar energy per square meter of photovoltaic cells by considering an
innovative ball-joint device for the tracking mechanism.
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3. SOLAR ENERGY
AS A
RENEWABLE
SOURCE OF
ENERGY
• Renewable energy is energy that is collected from
renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a
human timescale.
• It includes sources such as sunlight, wind, the
movement of water, and geothermal heat etc.
• Since this is not the case for fossil fuels, researchers
are intrigued and driven towards the use of solar power
especially in the generation of electricity.
• The breakthrough technology in this area, namely
photovoltaic panels, have been utilized since the mid-
20th century to capitalize on the abundant resource of
solar energy

4. NEED OF A SOLAR TRACKER
• The use of commercially available solar panels to harness solar energy is impacted by their
incapacity to capture maximum sun rays as a result of their fixed position.
• Given the limited solar resources in numerous countries, a mechanically-driven solar
device to maximize the capture of this highly valuable resource could prove to be beneficial
for numerous applications.
• In this study, a solar tracking device, which has been designed with an innovative and
mechanically-driven mechanism, is proposed to maximize the capture of solar energy.
• The work highlights the efficiency of the mechanically-driven solar-tracking device to
smoothly maximize the capture of solar energy.
• The development of such products is aimed to address the need for portable, lightweight
and efficient solar stations which could be useful in numerous applications ranging from use
in remote areas to ease of accessibility to green power.

5. Pros and cons of using a solar tracker
PROS
1. Help you to generate more
electricity with your solar panels
2. Especially beneficial with a
variable electricity plan
3. Fewer panels are required for
a system with a solar tracker
4. The biggest benefits of solar
tracking System is that it offers a
boost in Electricity production
CONS
1. More expensive
2. Require more maintenance than
fixed solar panels
3. Can only use with ground
mounted arrays
4. Requires additional parts for the
setting up of the solar tracker
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6. ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
1. Solar energy is a renewable energy source and reduces carbon emissions
2. ​​Solar energy can reduce your home’s electricity bill
3. Solar power can get you money back through Solar Renewable Energy Credits
(SRECs)
4. Homes with solar panels installed may improve home value
5. Solar panels have low maintenance costs
6. Solar energy can generate electricity in any climate
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7. DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR ENERGY
1. The high initial costs of installing panels
2. Solar energy storage is expensive
3. Solar doesn’t work for every roof type
4. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight
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9. THE TRACKING MECHANISM
• The precise orientation of solar panels was achieved by carefully adjusting the linear
displacement at each of the 4 corners of the panel
• The linear motion of actuators was provided by considering a power screw arrangement
driven by DC motors.
• A motor coupler was used as connector between the DC motors and lead screw.
• The solar sensor will sense the solar energy and will give necessary data for the correct
functioning of motors and Actuators
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10. • To achieve the desired panel inclination in this particular setup, each corner of the solar
panel was precisely adjusted by controlling the rotational speed and direction of each
motors.
• For smooth operation of the solar tracker, the four linear actuators were linked to the main
stage by considering a ball-joint system based on aluminium balls of 18 mm in diameter.
• To protect the motor components and electronic circuit from adverse weather conditions,
a lightweight protective casing made from aluminium composite panel (ACP) namely,
alucobond was used.
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11. 11
PICTORIAL REPRESENTATION OF
SOLAR TRACKING

12. CONTROLLING THE ORIENTATION AND
SENSING THE SOLAR ENERGY
• For smooth operation of the solar tracking device, precise functioning of the mechanical system a
sensor is required.
• The open-source Arduino hardware and software was considered for programming of key
operational characteristics of the device.
• Firstly, in the initialization phase, the motors are activated to raise the four arms supporting the solar
panel by10 cm.
• After the initialization phase, the solar panels will be oriented towards the sun based on sensor
data which are then transmitted and processed through the Arduino system.
• The motors are activated by the microcontroller following a voltage difference.
• The paired motors operate in synchronization but in the opposite direction in order to induce a
tilting effect to the solar panels.
• To achieve an optimized orientation in the three principle axes, the remaining two motors also
operate in a similar fashion to compensate for tilting of the solar panel.
• This is done in accordance with variation in light intensity as detected by the two additional
sensors.

13. TYPES OF SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS BASED
ON THEIR AXIS
• Commercial solar tracking systems can be categorized into different
types
• The classifications are made based on their directional flexibility
• Based on the directional flexibility they can be classified into two
namely.
• The two types of solar tracker includes single axis and dual axis
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14. SINGLE AXIS SOLAR
TRACKERS
• Single axis solar Trackers are designed
to rotate about a single axis
• It tracks the sun as it moves from east to
west during a day
• This will increase solar panels energy
collection by 25%
• They are ideal for commercial projects
which requires maximum output in a
limited space
DUAL AXIS SOLAR
TRACKERS
• Dual axis trackers will track the suns
position from either east to west or from
North to south direction
• They are more effective than single
axis types
• These Trackers can increase solar energy
collection of the panels by 38%
• They can boost energy production by 45%
and also they are ideal for commercial
needs where More energy requirement is
needed
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15. TYPES OF SOLAR TRACKERS BASED ON THEIR
FUNCTION
• Besides the single axis and dual axis trackers, the tracking systems can
be classified into three different types based on their function
• These include three different types namely
1. Manual tracking systems
2. Passive tracking systems
3. Active trackers
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16. MANUAL TRACKING SYSTEM
• These solar Trackers require manual adjusting of the panel throughout the day to face
the sun
• This Tracking system is not convenient and effective
• We must constantly monitor suns movement and adjust the panels accordingly for
Maximum exposure. Which is some difficult
• This makes manual Trackers more prevalent in the consumers solar market
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17. PASSIVE TRACKING SYSTEMS
These types of solar Trackers use solar radiation to tilt the solar panels in the
direction of sun
• Passive tracking system contain a low boiling Liquid that Vaporizes when
exposed to sunlight
• Once the liquid Evaporates , it expands , causing a mechanical movement of
Solar panel to the suns direction
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18. ACTIVE TRACKERS
• These are most popular solar Trackers which are widely used
• These solar tracking equipment's are designed with motors which
automatically adjusts the panels to the suns direction
• This makes active tracking system more convenient, tedious and more efficient than
other tracking systems
• Due to its good performance and high efficiency it is mostly used in many occasions
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20. • The graph showing the relation between Current generated from both static and Solar
tracking panels over a time period of 12 hour Period.
• It shows that the solar tracking mechanism was found to be satisfactory at improving
the efficiency of solar capture through precise orientation of solar panels in
accordance with the sun’s positioning
• The portable panel produce more power than the static panel in conditions of low
irradiation.
• Even in period of low sunlight, for instance after 17:00, the solar tracking panel was
still able to capture solar energy in comparison to the static panel.
• Finally in terms of current generated a significant difference can be observed
between the solar tracking panel and the static one from the graph. So hence it proves
that the portable panel can work at good efficiency
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21. SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM & THE FUTURE
• In future the world will depend up on Renewable energy more than anything else
• Solar energy is the cheapest and most suitable efficient green energy source
• In the upcoming varying climatic conditions and climatic challenges the solar tracking
system will be able to provide a better output than static.
• Innovations are going on, in the field if solar tracking systems. Which will be able to
provide a better version of the solar tracking system
• In future when considering about an efficient, economical and eco-friendly power
resource then the answer will be soar energy and this shows the bright future of the solar
tracking system .

22. REFERENCES
2022 The 5th International Conference on Renewable Energy and Environment
Engineering
(REEE 2022), 24–26 August, 2022, Brest, Franc
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.10.145
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347898983_
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101016

23. Thank You
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