Design And Development Of Single-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Microcontroller

• Main Author: Zulkifli, Mohamad Nazren
• Format: Monograph
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Sains Malaysia 2018
• Subjects: T Technology; TK Electrical Engineering. Electronics. Nuclear Engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/53356/1/Design%20And%20Development%20Of%20Single-Axis%20Solar%20Tracking%20System%20Using%20Microcontroller_Mohamad%20Nazren%20Zulkifli_E3_2018.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/53356/

The solar panel has been used increasingly in the recent years in converting the solar energy into electrical energy. Solar tracking system plays an important role in increasing the energy output of the solar panel. In this project, single-axis solar tracking systems have been designed and develop to be used with silicon photovoltaic device. With solar tracking, it will become possible to generate more energy since the solar panel can maintain a perpendicular profile to the light intensity of the sun. Thus, the tracking of the sun and positioning of the solar panel is important. This project discusses the design and develops of the solar tracking that has a single axis of freedom. For this tracker, Light Dependant Resistor is used to detect the position of the sun. To analyse the performance, sensors are used to measure the important parameters. This operation is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller. The performance of the solar panel is being analysed based on two conditions which are with the solar tracking system and pv panel at fixed position. As a result, this tracker system produces 18%-31% more output energy than conventional solar panels which do not use the tracking system because this system increases the efficiency of the panel since the panel is exposed to the light concentration of light from the sun. This system is the technology able to give a good impact to every consumer who is concerned to keep the performance of the solar panel at optimum level.