Post on 03-Jun-2018
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
1/15
Solar Tracker
Build a Sun-Tracking Solar Panel!!
Use
an
Arduino
Pro
Mini,
a
standard
servo,
some
clever
machining,
and
some
photoresistorvoltagedividerstobuildaoneaxisSunTrackingSolarPanel
TheSolarTrackeraimsatmaximizingsolarenergyabsorptionthroughouttheday
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
2/15
Step 1 Get supplies
You Will Need:
4
x
Photo
Resistors
I
use
4
but
this
could
be
done
with
2
and
better
logic4xResistors willbesizeddependingonphotoresistors
1xArduinoProMini3285v
x a e
1xStandardServo
1
x
Random
Servo
Hardware1xAcr licInch8x3inSheet
1xRollofElectricalTape
1xMiniBreadboard
1xAluminumLShapedMaterial(4x4x6inchsides)
1xSolarPanel
2xIndustrialStrengthVelcro
2xScrewsandNuts3/4inch440thread
8xScrewsandnuts1/2inch440thread
Solder
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
3/15
Step 2 Tools needed
You Will Need (Power Tools):
Miter
sawSteelimpregnatedpowersander
Drillpresswith1/8inchbits
or zonta an saw
You Will Need (Hand Tools):Assortedfiles
Deburringtool
Adjustablewrench
Soldertool
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
4/15
Step 3 Project Mount
L-Bracket
Cut
the
L
Bracket
into
a
6inch
length
or
so.
Use
the
sander
to
smooth
it
all
outInthecenterofoneoftheplanes,markanddrilltwoholes.Usesanderandde
burr
Side Back
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
5/15
Step 3 Project Mount
Servo to L-Bracket Connector
Mountservohardwaretothe1x8inchshank
Takeyourshank,selectheight,markholesfromLBracketanddrill
Rememberthatthesolarpanelwillberotatingalongtheservosaxis soleave
appropr ateroom. an an e urr
Assemble
Servo
hardware
Side Back
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
6/15
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
7/15
Step 4 Sensor Array
Cant Adapt without them:
Usetheohmmetertomeasuretheresistivityofthephotoresistorsbothinadark
andinasunnyarea.Thenuseavoltagedividertodeterminethemostaccurate
scopebymaximizingthevoltagechangebetweentheresistors
Photo+5v 0V
Maximize the
change inthis voltage
ccResistor
es s or roun
FromTestingDark 12000Ohm (Fingeroverphotoresistor)Ambient 1100Ohm (Classroom)
SimulatedSun 78Ohm (12inchesfrombrightworklight)
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
8/15
Step 4 Sensor Array
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
9/15
Step 4 Sensor Array
Results
Goinginseries (VccpRRGND)tiethepRRnodetotheADC
pinmaxo p no e sa out . an m n sa out .
UseRof1kand+/10%willkeepdifferenceingreatestregion
Allresistors
are
0.98xkOhmswhichiswithinstandardsand
willcreatesimilarreadablevoltages
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
10/15
Step 4 Sensor Array
Build the Servo Array:
Weregoingtouse4sensors.Getoutthatsolderingironandusethisschematic
Usetheelectricaltapetocoveranyexposedwiring
Testwithapowersourceandohmmeter
Photo
Resistor
Resistor
GNDADCVCC
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
11/15
Step 4 Sensor Array
Assemble the Array:
Takethefoursensorsandattachthemtotheassembledprojectmountandsolar
assembly
Takesomeextrawireandelectricaltapeandbuildsolarblindersforthesensors
e n ersa ow or etterca rat onan sens ng
Servo
Side Front
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
12/15
Step 5 Microcontroller
Get your program on
SolderleadstoyourArduino
GettheFTDIcableinstalledandfunctional
UploadatestprogramtotheArduino(verifyfunctionality) Arduino Pro Miniarduino.cc
ttac oursensorsto s ana ogto g ta convers on
AttachservotooneofthePWM(pulsewidthmodulation)ports
UsetheUARTtocheckvaluesofADCreadingsthroughSerial.println(sdfsdf);
UsetheServoclasstoinitializeandtest ourservo
Setupaninitializationroutinewheretheservomovesthesolarpanelsothe
sensorarraycandeterminetheangleofmaximumsunlightandthenmovethere
Setuptrackinglogic.Iusedaminimumofa10%differencebetweenanytwo
.
reducesoscillationsduetonoise.
Withfoursensors,thepanelcanmoveinsmallamounts(differencebetweenthe
centerlookingsensors)orlargeamounts(ifthesideviewsensorsindicatealarge
differential)
Becarefulwithcastingandscaling.
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
13/15
Step 5 Microcontroller
Program more
CloudModeIfcloudsarepresentorthedayisovercast,youcanlookattherate
thesunhasbeenmovingandassoonasitappearsagainmovedirectlytothemaximumangle
Nightmode IfthedeviceisinCloudModeforalongwhileandthepanelis
facingthesettingsun,youcanimplementanotherpredictivecasewherethepanel
caneitherbemovedparalleltothegroundorreflectedacrosstheverticalaxisto
.
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
14/15
Step 6 Testing
Attach the Solar Panel and Increase Efficiency!
Setupavoltagedividersimilartothesensorsandattachthesolarpaneltooneof
theunusedADCs
Watchthevoltagechangeinproportiontotheangleofthesolarpanel
Isthesystemreallyworthit?Grabacouplemorestationarysolarpanels,build
somemorevoltagedividers,attachtotheADCs,andlookatthedifferencesovera
fewweekperiod.Youbethejudge!
8/12/2019 How to Build a Solar Tracker
15/15
Sources
Give Credit
fromhttp://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Libraries
servolibrary,andcorrespondingexamplecode Arduino Pro Miniarduino.cc
y, o o x o
variablecastinghttp://www.mkssoftware.com/docs/man3/itoa.3.asp