Mini Project Report

On

“AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM”

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of

B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering,

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Maharashtra

By

1) Gaurav Sonwane 2) Aditya Zode

3) Dhiraj Shivankar 4) Dhushyal Dhote

Under the guidance of

Asst. Prof. Dhanraj Raut

2020-2021

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

NAGPUR - 441 209

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

NAGPUR - 441 209

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that it is a Bonafede record of project work entitled

“AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM”

Carried out by

1) Gaurav Sonwane 2) Aditya Zode

3) Dhiraj Shivankar 4) Dhushyal Dhote

Student of the B. Tech. in (M.E), Mechanical Engineering Department, during the academic
year 2022-2023, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of the degree of B.
Tech (M.E) offered by the

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, Maharashtra

Asst. Prof. Dhanraj Raut

Guide

Asst. Prof. Vaibhav Bankar Dr. S. B. Deshpande

Head of Department Principal

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 DECLARATION

This project titled “AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM” is

my own work carried out under the guidance of Asst. Prof. Dhanraj Raut,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vidarbha Institute of Technology,
Nagpur. This work in the same form or any other form is not submitted by me or
anyone else for the award of any degree.

Name Signature
1) Gaurav Sonwane __________________

2) Aditya Zode __________________

3) Dhiraj Shivankar __________________

4) Dhushyal Dhote __________________

Place: VIT Nagpur

Date:

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 INDEX

• ABSTRACT

• INTRODUCTION

• METHODOLOGY

• TYPES OF SOLAR TRACKER

• ADVANTAGES

• CONCLUSION

• FUTURE SCOPE

• REFERENCES

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 ABSTRACT
Of all the renewable energies, solar energy is the only energy gained its popularity and
importance quickly. Through the solar tracking system, we can produce an abundant
amount of energy which makes the solar panel’s workability much more efficient.
Perpendicular proportionality of the solar panel with the sun rays is the reason lying behind
its efficiency. Pecuniary, its installation charge is high provided cheaper options are also
available. This project is discussed all about the design and construction mechanism of the
prototype for the solar tracking system having a single axis of freedom. The main control
circuit is based upon Node Mcu microcontroller. Programming of this device is done in the
manner that the LDR sensor, in accordance with the detection of the sun rays, will provide
direction to the DC Motor that in which way the solar panel is going to revolve. Through this,
the solar panel is positioned in such a manner that the maximum amount of sun rays could
be received. In comparison with the other motors, DC motor is the simplest and the suave
one, the torque of which is high and speed of which is slow enough. We can program it for
changing the direction notwithstanding the fact that it rotates only in one direction subject
to exception as far as programming is concerned. 1985, first time ever it was witnessed for
production of the silicon solar cells with an efficiency of 20%. Though a hike in the efficiency
of the solar panel had a handsome increase still perfection was a far-fetched goal for it.
Below 40%, most of the panels still hover to operate. Consequently, peoples are compelled
to purchase a few panels to meet their energy demands or purchase single systems with
large outputs. Availability of the solar cells types with higher efficiencies is on provided they
are too costly to purchase. Ways to be accessed for increasing solar panel efficiencies are a
plethora in number still one of the ways to be availed for accomplishing the said purpose
while reducing costs, is tracking. Tracking helps in the wider projection of the panel to the
Sun with increased power output. It could be dual or single axis tracker. Duality ragged up
with better compatibility as far as tracking of the sunlight from both the axis is concerned.
Commercially single tracker is cheaper to use through booming of power is considerable and
therefore a minuscule increase in the price is worthy and acceptable, provided maintenance
cost should float around on an average level.

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 INTRODUCTION
GENERAL BACKGROUND: Bustling civilization is the vein through which modern civilization
is operated. Energy day by day is used at its best to fulfil the desires and ambition of the
peoples at large. Every corner of our life is caged with various layers of impediment and in
this response, energy is becoming an indispensable factor. Therefore, the source of energy
needs to be endless/ perpetual to carry this colossal population ahead. Human beings being
evolutionary in nature are perhaps the best creation of nature is always in the race of
envisaging the probable and available comforts and benefits in every possible angle in this
perilous world.

LITERATURE REVIEW: The paucity of available resources has forced contemporary society
to look for measures to consummate the demands of the latter. With the nurturing
civilization, the depletion of conventional fuels, due to human practices has been an alarm
to sustainable development issues. The scarcity of energy and its source guided us towards
the optimistic approach of using the alternative resources bestowed to humankind–Solar,
tidal etc.

Solar panels are hence used to utilize solar power in electrical means. They are aligned
different arenas to collect maximum solar power. Though, solar panels can be used to
absorb or collect solar power, there work is bounded to certain hours of the day and the
sunlight pouring directly on them, i.e., the angle between the sunrays and the panel is
orthogonal. While at other hours of the day, the angle of the sunrays is different, hence the
amount of the solar power captured is very less. To overcome such pitfalls, and encapsulate
the maximum available of solar energy the solar tracking systems were introduced. A solar
tracking system is designed with the intention of keeping the angle between the sunrays
and the solar array 90°. The mechanism is accountable to furnish with accurate movements,
in the sake of following the footsteps of the sun throughout the day. The prototype of the
device is made durable enough to withstand unfavorable weather condition. This
mechanism of the solar tracking systems classifies themselves into two segments single axis
tracker, dual axis tracker. Single axis tracking can be considered as one of the handy systems
or prime solution in terms of small-scale photovoltaic power plants.

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 METHODOLOGY

IMPLEMENTATION:

The project called “Automatic Solar Tracking System” is produced through

installation of the various nitty-gritty such as solar panel which provides 12 volts as output,
an NodeMcu as MCU, a motor driver – with IC L293D, two LDR sensor module, a 10 R.P.M.
simple DC motor, a current sensor, and a 9 V battery. Construction of the said project is
being built out of the wooden base installed at the ground of it, affixed with the iron rods
on both the sides in a cross-shaped manner connected with a hollow cylindrical rod from
both the sides and the DC motor is clinging at one edge of the hollow rod. Three-fold
sections into which the circuit of the solar tracking system is divided. The input stage has
two LDR module that is so arranged to form a voltage divider circuit, the microcontroller is
programmed through the software named Arduino ide being decked up in the system and
lastly the driving circuit that has the DC motor helps in rotating the solar panel. The motor
driver is embraced with three terminals- two for motor input/ output respectively and the
third one for power input. The terminal for motor input is connected to 2 of the 14digital
input/output pins of Arduino UNO and subsequently, the motor output terminal is
connected to the DC motor. The two LDR sensor modules are annexed to the scaffolding
with NodeMcu analogue inputs. The light dependent resistors are then affixed along the
length, on either side of the solar panel.

Figure 1: Concept of using Two LDR

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

THEORY OF USING TWO LDR:

The figure depicts the notion for the instalment of the light dependent resistors (LDR). A
secure state is attained when the light intensities of the two LDR become the same. The
principal source of light energy, the Sun, moves from east to west. This movement of the
Sun causes the variation in the level of light intensities falling on the two LDRs. The designed
algorithm compares the variation in the light intensities inside the microcontroller and the
motor then is operated to rotate the solar panel, so it moves aligned with the trail of the
light source.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Contemplating the idea of building the said project, the idea that has been conceived
primarily is to make the best use of solar energy. The next path that unravels is firstly the
method to be adopted in storing the solar energy at its maximum level which further ends
up with hatching of the project called “AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM’’. Culminating
towards making the said project caviar in its utilization several components have been
unleashed, some of which are mentioned so-

1. Solar Panel

2. DC Motor

3. L298N Motor driver module

4. Microcontroller NodeMcu

5. LDR sensor module

6. Current sensor

all in consolidation of the said components the concerned project is

orchestrated, ought to seek for imbibing the sun rays at its maximum level through the LDR
sensor module etched on the edges of the solar panel in accordance with the length of it,
revolves in aid with the DC motor by maintaining the proportionality of the Sun’s movement.
Therefore, the genesis lies upon the fact of making solar energy a profitable source in the
production of various other aspects which are in rest with the acute need of the society. In
addition to which it would be further worthier to state that when the world is being
maligned and sick through the pollution ruckus this project could unveil to be a robust
endeavor.

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 TYPES OF SOLAR TRACKER

Types Specification
• It uses motors and gear trains or direct drive actuators, to
follow the movement of the sun.
• Directed by a controller.
Active Solar • Deactivates during darkness based on the design of the
Tracker system.
• It uses a light sensor to locate the angle at which maximum
sunlight can be absorbed.
• The MCU directs the solar panel to change the angle.
• It uses a liquid, easily compressible and boiled.
Passive Solar • It is driven by the solar heat.
Tracker • The fluid moves when heated, like a teeter-totter and hence
the solar panel moves.
• Works with the rotation of the earth.
Chronological • Have no sensors.
Solar Tracker • Depends on the geographical location.
• Uses a controller to calculate the moment and position of the
earth with respect to the sun at a given time and location.
• Tracks in a single cardinal direction.
• It has a single row tracking configuration.
• More reliable.
• It has a longer lifespan. The common categories in which
Single Axis single axis trackers can be classified holds:
Tracker • Horizontal single axis trackers (HSAT).
• Horizontal single axis tracker with tilted modules (HTSAT).
• Vertical single axis tracker (VSAT).
• Tilted single axis tracker (TSAT).
• Polar aligned single axis tracker (PSAT}
• It moves along two cardinal directions (Horizontal & Vertical).
Dual Axis • The axes are traditionally orthogonal.
Tracker • Its efficiency is much more than any single Axis Tracker.
• It conventionally follows the movement of the sun and hence
captivates maximum solar radiations.

Table 1: Types of Solar Tracker

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 Figure 2. AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM (Single Axis Tracker)

Advantages: -
1) The process of attaining solar energy is unsoiled.

2) It is a renewable source of energy.

3) The investment is done only during the installation of solar panels, the

expenses of acquired solar energy after installation is little.

4) Solar energy is a perennial source of energy.

5) There is no adulteration is the process of acquiring solar energy.

6) The yield rate is very high, using solar panels.

7) It requires the least maintenance, once the setup is installed.

8) Solar energy is very useful and can be easily drawn into applications in rural

areas where the extraction of electricity is difficult.

9) Solar energy does not create noises compared to the noises created by the

machinery in the extraction of other natural resources.

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 CONCLUSION

Today in the world of rampant productivity, energy is the fundamental source upon which
the whole civilization is based upon. As it is said that energy can neither be created nor be
destroyed and, in that response, it can be signified that it can somehow be stored. The
attempt towards making such goal substantiated, this project has been endeavored towards
unravelling the path of such objectivity. It is quite natural that constant utilization of
energies somehow opens the door of scarcity as per as earthly sources are concerned. Sun,
in the stand of which, the tallest source, spiked over for age’s right from the origin of the
whole universe, through which life has been conceived, is the basic and the mother source
of all the energies. Considering the very fundamental from the viewpoint of storing such
energy, the project has been unraveled. Energies other than from the Sun, are the process
from which such are been produced through the burning of various materials, involving
emission of a large amount of pollution, causing the environment and the atmosphere sick
day by day. Fastness and smartness of the world’s current behavioral visibility, where easy
access of every sphere of life needs the acute comfortability, every day is a new challenge
of hatching something new and unique which makes an energy to be the ultimatum source
behind all the hard work exists. In that regards it would be worthier to reveal that
commercialization has boomed its wings to such an extent in the need of money and power
that we are somehow present in the pool of acute ignorance of the world’s resources
scarcity, in consequence of which the whole world is wounded. Healing the world is the basis
cultivation with which the hour clock is calling and this project presents the eye, therefore,
to open the corridors of reducing the amount of pollution in storing of energy culled out
from the Sun and to make the pace of advancement revved around.

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 FUTURE SCOPE
The very embodiment through which the futuristic conundrum be set aside, is the project called
“Automatic Solar Tracking System”. A trailblazer by its spirit, this system works in its utmost
efficiency, whether that be in terms of its pecuniary ability or in terms of its accessibility. In the
smoke of the darkness where pollution engulfing every sphere of advancement as an outcome of
producibility, this device in its very efficiency work towards only advancement and development by
flushing out the pollution at large.

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR

 REFERENCES
1) www.google.com
2) www.wikipidia.com
3) www.rciit.org

VIDARBHA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NAGPUR