Title: Prototype of Dual Axis Solar Tracking System for Solar PV Plate
Abstract: The goal of this thesis was to develop a laboratory
prototype of a solar tracking system, which is able to enhance
the performance of the photovoltaic modules in a solar energy
system. The operating principle of the device is to keep the
photovoltaic modules constantly aligned with the sunbeams,
which maximises the exposure of solar panel to the Sun’s
radiation. As a result, more output power can be produced by
the solar panel.
The work of the project included hardware design and
implementation, together with software programming for the
microcontroller unit of the solar tracker. The system utilised
an ATmega328 microcontroller to control motion of two DC
motors, which rotate solar panel in two axes. The amount of
rotation was determined by the microcontroller, based on
inputs retrieved from four photo sensors located next to solar
panel.
At the end of the project, a functional solar tracking system
was designed and implemented. It was able to keep the solar
panel aligned with the sun, or any light source repetitively.
Design of the solar tracker from this project is also a reference
and a starting point for the development of more advanced
systems in the future
Publication Year: 2021
Publication Date: 2021-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
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