The document presents a mini project on a dual axis solar tracker developed by a group of students at A.C. Patil College of Engineering for the academic year 2022-23. The project aims to enhance solar energy capture through a tracker that adjusts its position in both the x and y axes, using components such as Arduino and light-dependent resistors. Key objectives include building a mechanical structure, designing control circuitry, and programming the system, with discussions on advantages, limitations, applications, and cost estimation for the project.

1. Jawahar Education Society’s
A.C. Patil College of Engineering
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
Third Year Mini Project Presentation
on
“DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKER”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering

2. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
PRESENTED BY
Group No. 02
Under the Guidance of
Prof. Ruchita Shrimali
(Department of Mechanical Engineering)
NAME PRN NO.
Shubham B. Vaidya 211072014
Sundaram A Tiwari 201071004
Shreyas S. Tambe 211072002
Vishal N. Baviskar 211072020

3. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
LITERATURE REVIEW
• First solar tracker invented by C. Fensters [1962]
• Though the Fensters' solar tracker realized insignificant energy
gains.
• Years of testing and research have led to improvement of the
conversion output of the PV system and consequently the
emergency of different tracking technologies and applications.
• In short, improved solar cells have been developed and the use of
solar tracking system over the use of conventional fixed PV system
has grown.
• In fixed photovoltaic system the solar receiver (PV module) is in a
stationary position facing the true north.
• This is dependent on the tracker’s geometrical capacity.

4. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
INTRODUCTION
• Electrical energy from solar panels is derived by converting energy
from the sun rays into electrical current.
• The main challenge is to maximize the capture of the sun rays upon
the solar panels.
• There are two possible ways to enhance output power from solar
energy based systems.
a. Single Axis or Dual Axis Tracker
b. Active Tracking or Scheduled Tracking
• For our project we have used Dual Axis Tracker which has two
servos in ‘x’ and ‘y’. It uses Light Dependent Resistors (LDR) to
detect the exact position of a light source. It then sends signals to
servos via Arduino to position the tracker as per the moving
direction of light source.

5. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
TYPES OF TRACKER

6. OBJECTIVES
The main objective of our project was to build a prototype Dual Axis
Solar Tracker and to get a proper knowledge for programming
Arduino.
1. To build a mechanical structure capable of rotation in two axes.
2. To design necessary control circuitry for control of motor in both
the axes.
3. To develop a proper code for working of the system .

7. WORK DONE SO FAR

8. CONSTRUCTION
• In our Engineering field before starting
anything we make a fully well define
design of the model in CAD Software like
SolidWorks, AutoCAD .
• After that the main thing is metrology i.e.
selection of material,
for our project we choose the acrylic sheet
• For proper finishing, we took the help of
laser cutting, and got the parts & assembled
all parts.
• After that we used many different
Electronics & Mechanical Components like
Arduino UNO
9g Servo motor
LDR
Breadboard
These all are explain in detail in next slides

9. DETAILS OF COMPONENTS USED
List of Mechanical and Electronic components used are as follows.
1. Acrylic Sheet (Thickness 3mm /0.1 inch)
The mechanical structure of the tracker is laser cut from an acrylic sheet having
thickness 3mm. The structure was designed to avoid any complex soldering or
welding.

10. 2. Arduino Nano (ATmega328P Microcontroller)
3. 9g Mini Gear Servo (SG90)
• Model SG90
• Operating Voltage 3.0 – 7.2 V
• Operating Speed @4.8V 0.10sec/60°
• Stall Torque @4.8V 1.2 kg-cm
• Stall Torque @6.6V 1.6 kg-cm

11. Architecture of Atmega328P
Microcontroller:ATmega328P.
Operating Voltage: 5V.
Input Voltage: 7-12V.
Digital I/O Pins: 14 (of which 6
provide PWM output).
Analog Input Pins: 6.
DC Current: 40mA.
Flash Memory: 32 KB.
SRAM: 2 KB.
EEPROM: 1 KB.
Clock Speed: 16 MHz.

12. 4. Light Dependent Resistors (LDR)
5. Printed circuit board (PCB), Jumper Cables, etc

13. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
CAD MODEL
Initial CAD Model designed in SolidWorks
Final Iteration of the CAD Model Designed in SolidWorks

14. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
WORKING
Circuit Diagram

15. Microcontroller
Solar Panel
LDR
LDR LDR
LDR
X Direction
Servo Motor
Y Direction
Servo Motor
Breadboard
BLOCK DIAGRAM

16. WORKING
• As we see in the block diagram, there are FOUR
Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs)
• Each LDR sends equivalent signal of their
respective resistance value to the Microcontroller
which is configured by required programming
logic
• One of the two dc servo motors is mechanically
attached with the driving axle of the other one
• The microcontroller sends appropriate signals to
the servo motors
• In this way the solar tracking system is designed.

17. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
ADVANTAGES OF OUR PROJECT
• Our tracker is a dual axis tracker, meaning it tracks in both X
and Y axis ,To put it into even more simple terms, it goes towards
east, west, north & south.
• This means once you have your tracker set up you will never need
to change or adjust anything, since anywhere the sun moves your
tracker will follow.
• Can give 40% more electricity compare to traditional solar panel
solar panel.
• Higher degree of flexibility, allowing for a higher energy output
on sunny days.
• Higher degree of accuracy in directional pointing
• It’s tracking accuracy is more .

18. Limitations Of Our Project
• The main thing is we need great site preparations for all tracking
systems .
• Trackers are not conductive with snowy & Rainy weather .
LIMITATIONS OF OUR PROJECT
• Life span is less compare to traditional solar panels.
• Weather related problems (Rainy/ fog) .
• Regular maintenance required .

19. APPLICATIONS
• Used for large and medium scale power generations.
• Power generation at remote places.
• It may be used as domestic backup power systems.
• It can be used for solar street lightning system
• It may be used in water treatment technologies and
solar heating

20. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
COST ESTIMATION
Sr.No Components Names Quantity Cost
1 Solar Panel 1 130
2 Arduino Nano 1 500
3 Servo Motor 2 400
4 Light Dependent Resistor 4 40
5 PCB Board 1 20
6 Laser Cutting 1 400
7 Soldering Wire 3 30
8 Acrylic Board 19X36 inch 1 540
9 Resistor 4 8
10 Adhesive 1 50
TOTAL (INR) 2118/-

21. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
CONCLUSION
In this project, Dual Axis Solar Tracker, we’ve developed a
demo model of solar tracker to track the maximum intensity point of
light source so that the voltage given at that point by the solar panel is
maximum. After a lot of trial and errors we’ve successfully completed
our project and we are proud to invest some effort for our society.

22. Final Year Project Presentation On
“TOPIC”
Academic Year 2022-23
Mumbai University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Thank You !