International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 2, February-2018

ISSN 2229-5518 102

Solar Tracking System Using

Arduino
Pratik Pawar, Ashish Yadav, Pritam Makwana, Shubham patil
Abstract— In this paper, a solar tracking system using Arduino is designed and built. This
system collects free energy from the sun and stores it in the battery and then converts this
energy to the respective alternating current. Its makes the energy usable in normal homes as
an independent power source. This system is designed to react to its environment in the
shortest amount of time. Any errors at software and hardware will be controlled or eliminated.
Our system is tested for its real-time responsiveness, reliability, stability and safety. Our
system is designed to be resistant to weather, temperature and some minor mechanical
stresses.
keywords— Solar Panel, Arduino, Dual Axis Motor, Power Supply, Stepper Motor, Display.

——————————  ——————————

I. INTRODUCTION reportedly also exceeding 24%. A single solar module can

Solar energy is an unlimited source of energy which if produce only a limited amount of power; most installations
harnessed properly will get the mankind devoid of using the contain multiple modules. A photovoltaic system typically
conventional sources of energy he has been long using. This includes an array of photovoltaic modules, an inverter,
project has been designed keeping this in view to make the a battery pack for storage, interconnection wiring, and

IJSER
harnessing of solar energy more efficient. optionally a solar tracking mechanism.
The most common application of solar panels is solar water
II. BLOCK DIAGRAM heating systems.
IV. TECHNICAL USED
Arduino is an open source computer hardware and
software company, project, and user community that
designs and microcontroller kits for building digital devices
and interactive objects that can sense and control objects in
the physical world. The project's products are distributed
as open-source hardware and software, which are licensed
under the GNU Lesser General Public License or the GNU
General Public License permitting the manufacture of
Arduino boards and software distribution by anyone. Arduino
boards are available commercially in preassembled form, or
as do-it-yourself kits.
The name Arduino comes from a bar in Ivrea, Italy, where
some of the founders of the project used to meet. The bar was
III. SOLAR PANEL named after Arduino of Ivrea, who was the margrave of
the March of Ivrea and King of Italy from 1002 to 1014.
A photovoltaic module is a packaged, connect assembly of
V. POWER SUPPLY
typically 6x10 photovoltaic solar cells. Photovoltaic modules
constitute the photovoltaic array of a photovoltaic system that A power supply is an electronic device that supplies
generates and supplies solar electricity in commercial and electric energy to an electrical load. The primary function of
residential applications. Each module is rated by its DC output a power supply is to convert one form of electrical energy to
power under standard test conditions , and typically ranges another. As a result, power supplies are sometimes referred
from 100 to 365 Watts (W). The efficiency of a module to as electric power converters.
determines the area of a module given the same rated output –
an 8% efficient 230 W module will have twice the area of a
16% efficient 230 W module. There are a few commercially
available solar modules that exceed efficiency of 22% and

IJSER © 2018
http://www.ijser.org
International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 2, February-2018
ISSN 2229-5518 103

VI. POWER SUPPLY XI. APPLICATION

A power supply is an electronic device that supplies
electric energy to an electrical load. The primary function of  Solar Photovoltaic plants require continuous
a power supply is to convert one form of electrical energy to orientation towards sun for consistent efficiency
another. As a result, power supplies are sometimes referred output. This product will prove a great boon for
to as electric power converters. them.

VII. STEPPER MOTOR

 Solar water heating applications can also implement
A stepper motor or stepping motor is a dc brushless the same technique to heat water throughout the day.
electric motor that divide a full rotation into a display device
is an output device for presentation of information in visual
or tactile form. When the input information is supplied has an  Concentrated applications like concentrated
electrical signal, the display is called an electronic display photovoltaic panels require a high degree of accuracy
number of equal step. The motor’s position can then be to ensure the sunlight is directed precisely at the
commanded to move and hold at one of these steps without focal point of the reflector or lens.
any position sensor for feedback as long as the motor is
carefully sized to the application in respect to torque and  Non concentrating applications do not require
speed.
tracking but using a tracker can improve the total
power produced by the system.
VIII. DISPLAY
A display device is an output device which is for
presentation of information in visual or tactile form. When  Photovoltaic systems using high efficiency panels
the input information is supplied has an electrical signal the with trackers can be very effective.
display is called an electronic display.

IJSER
IX. ADVANTAGE XII. WORKING

 Trackers generate more electricity than their  There are two light sensing modules. One for East
stationary counterparts due to increased direct and the other for West.
exposure to solar rays.
 Solar trackers generate more electricity in roughly  Both the sensors send digital information about
the same amount of space needed for fixed-tilt
presence and absence of light intensity to the Micro
systems, making them ideal for optimizing land
usage. controller.
 Advancement in technology and reliability in
electronics and mechanics have drastically reduced  The micro controller decides the output signals for
long ter0m maintenance concerns for tracking the motor driver so as to drive the motor in CW or
systems
ACW direction.
X. DISADVANTAGE
 The motor driver module receives the signals from
 Solar trackers are slightly more expensive that their the micro controller and drives the motor in the
stationary counterparts, due to the more complex
specified direction with the specified speed.
technology and moving parts necessary for their
operation.
 The motor in turn controls the orientation of the solar
 Trackers are a more complex system than fixed panel mounting structure. Thus maintaining constant
racking. exposure to sunlight throughout the day.

 Single-axis tracker projects also require an additional

focus on company stability and bankability.

IJSER © 2018
http://www.ijser.org
International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 2, February-2018
ISSN 2229-5518 104

XIII. FUTURE SCOPE  solar-tracking-tips-to-track-or-not-to-

As the proposed prototype is a miniature of main system, it track/https://www.altestore.com/blog/201
has some limitations which can be mitigated through future 5/06/
developments. A small cardboard is rotated in the system and
12v solar panel is used for analysis.
As a miniature system, it works out well. Larger Solar
panel must be integrated with the system to prepare better
result and cost analysis. It has been proven through our
research and statistical analysis that solar tracking system
with single-axis freedom can increase energy output by
approximately 20%.Further mechanical enhancement can be
done to the prototype, to implement dual-axis tracking.

XIV. CONCLUSIONS

An Arduino solar tracker was designed and constructed in

the current work. LDR light sensors were used to sense the
intensity of the solar light occurrence on the photo-voltaic
cells panel. Conclusions of this project is summarized as ,the
existing tracking system successfully sketched the light
source even it is a small torch light, in a dark room, or it is
the sun light rays.
The cost and reliability of this solar tracker creates it
suitable for the rural usage. The purpose of renewable energy

IJSER
from this paper offered new and advanced idea to help the
people.

REFERENCES

 Arduino For Dummies

 University of Sc. and Tech., Tainan City,

Taiwan, R.O.C., 2006

 Arduino Solar Tracker- Project guide.

 Arduino Robotics

 Beginning Arduino

WEBSITE LINKS

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_tracke
r

 www.solar-tracking.com

 https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/.
../advantages-

IJSER © 2018
http://www.ijser.org