Final Year Project Report

Solar Power System

With Solar Tracking

Project Advisor
Khan M. Nazir

Submitted by
Bilal Ahmed-071020-091
Kashif Touqeer- 071020-041

Department of Electrical Engineering

School of Science and Technology
University of Management and Technology

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 SOLAR POWER SYSTEM
WITH SOLAR TRACKING

Project Report submitted to the

Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Management and
Technology
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Bachelor of Science
in
Electrical Engineering

BILAL AHMED-071020-091
KASHIF TOUQEER-071020-041

DATE: 03-10-2011

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 Abstract
Renewable energy is rapidly gaining importance as an energy resource as fossil fuel prices
fluctuate. One of the most popular renewable energy sources is solar energy. This report
describes the design and development of a ‘microcontroller based solar tracking system’.
Solar tracking enables more energy to be generated because the solar panel is able to
maintain a perpendicular profile to the sun’s rays. As such, it is vital that those in engineering
fields understand the technologies associated with this area. The project includes the design
and construction of a Solar Power system and Microcontroller-Based Solar Tracking Control.
These systems are controlled using PIC16F877A Microcontroller. This project also covers
the designing and construction of the Solar Power and Tracking mechanical structure
together with the associated electronic circuits like Solar Charge Controller and Power
Inverter. Two Stepper motors is used in this project. One motor mounted to control the
altitude angle, and second motor for the elevation angle. Two pairs of Light sensors (CdS)
were installed for detecting the light source position. The PIC16F877A is programmed using
PIC Basic Pro language in Proton IDE. A working system will ultimately be demonstrated to
validate the design. Problems and possible improvements will also be presented.

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 Dedication
To our parents they appreciates, encouraged and inspired us throughout the our journey of
education and specially in project

Very special thanks to our project advisor Khan M Nazir who give us a great support in
designing, developing and all other technicalities in the project

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 Acknowledgements
As with any other text, the number of individuals who have made it possible for exceeds
those whose names grace the cover. At the hazard of leaving someone out, I would like to
explicitly thank the following respective individuals for their priceless contribution and
commitment towards in accomplishing this project proposal.

First and foremost, I would thank to ALLAH ALMIGHTY who give us mental health to
think about, patience and tolerance

Our project advisor Khan M Nazir for his patience and guidance throughout the whole year
for the completion my Final Year Project (FYP)

I would also like to thank my family members for always being there to support me all the
time and give me the courage and strength that are necessary for me to carry on with this
project.

Last but not least, I would like to thank all the lecturers that have taught me throughout my
education in University of Management and Technology, and also to my fellow friends in
campus and hometown.

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 Table of Contents

Contents
CHATER 1. Intro to Project
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 1 
1.2 Motivation................................................................................................................... 1 
1.3 Previous Work ............................................................................................................ 1 
1.4 Aim of Project............................................................................................................. 1 
CHAPTER 2. History & Theory of Solar Cell ........................................................................ 2 
2.1 A Brief History of Solar Energy ......................................................................................... 2 
2.1.1 The Origin of Photovoltaic Solar Cells.................................................................... 3 
2.2.1 Solar Cell Physics .................................................................................................... 4 
2.2.2 Photovoltaic Effect................................................................................................... 6 
2.2.3 PV Cell Characteristics ........................................................................................... 9 
2.2.4 Solar Cell (i-v and p-v Curves).............................................................................. 10 
CHAPTER 3 Environmental Characteristics..................................................................... 14 
3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 14 
3.2 Solar angles............................................................................................................... 15 
3.2.1 Declination, ....................................................................................................... 17 
3.2.2 Hour angle, h.......................................................................................................... 18 
3.2.3 Solar altitude angle, .......................................................................................... 19 
3.2.4 Solar azimuth angle, z ............................................................................................ 19 
CHAPTER 4. Solar Panel, Charge Controller, Battery, and ................................................ 20 
Inverter.................................................................................................................................... 20 
4.1 Solar Module and Array............................................................................................ 20 
4.1.1 Solar Panel Sizing .................................................................................................. 21 
4.1.2 No of panels required for given load ..................................................................... 22 
4.1.3 Wiring Diagrams of Solar Panels .......................................................................... 22 
4.2.1 Basic Voltage Regulator ........................................................................................ 25 
4.2.2 Charge Controller Sizing ....................................................................................... 25 
4.3.1 Batteries Sizing for Solar Power System ............................................................... 27 
4.3.2 Battery Wiring Diagrams....................................................................................... 28 

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 4.4.1 Wattage of Power Inverter Required ..................................................................... 29 
4.5 Block Diagrams of Solar Power System........................................................................... 30 
CHAPTER 5. Solar Tracking System Designing ................................................................. 32 
5.1 Literature Review...................................................................................................... 32 
5.1.1 The Incidence Angle for Moving Surfaces............................................................ 33 
5.2.1 Solar Tracker by Bill Lane..................................................................................... 34 
5.3.1 Solar panel tracking by Isaac Aunkst..................................................................... 35 
5.3.2 Summary ................................................................................................................ 36 
5.5.1 Method of Alignment............................................................................................. 37 
5.6.1 Sensor Design ........................................................................................................ 39 
CHAPTER 6. Selection of Solar Power & Tracking System ............................................... 40 
Types of 6.1 PV technology............................................................................................ 40 
6.1.1 Mono crystalline silicon cells ................................................................................ 40 
6.1.1.1 Advantages.......................................................................................................... 40 
6.1.1.2 Disadvantage....................................................................................................... 40 
6.1.2 Multi crystalline silicon cells ................................................................................. 40 
6.1.2.1 Advantage ........................................................................................................... 40 
6.1.1.2 Disadvantage....................................................................................................... 40 
6.1.3 Amorphous silicon. ................................................................................................ 40 
6.1.3.1 Disadvantage....................................................................................................... 41 
6.1.3.2 Advantage ........................................................................................................... 41 
6.3.1 Direct Coupled System .......................................................................................... 41 
6.3.2 Stand-Alone System............................................................................................... 42 
6.3.3 Grid-Connected System ......................................................................................... 42 
6.3.4 Hybrid-Connected system...................................................................................... 43 
6.4.1 Remote site electrification ..................................................................................... 43 
6.4.2 Communications .................................................................................................... 43 
6.4.3 Remote monitoring ................................................................................................ 44 
6.4.4 Water pumping....................................................................................................... 44 
6.4.5 Building-Integrated Potovoltaic’s.......................................................................... 44 
6.4.6 Charging vehicle batteries...................................................................................... 44 
6.4.7 Stand-Alone System is selected due to following reasons..................................... 44 
6.5.1 Dynamic tracking system is selected due to following reasons............................. 45 
CHAPTER 7. Solar Power System Sizing............................................................................ 46 
7.1 Design of PV systems ............................................................................................... 46 

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 7.2 Electrical loads.......................................................................................................... 46 
7.3 Distribution of Total and Diffusion Solar Radiation ............................................... 47 
At Lahore, Pakistan......................................................................................................... 47 
7.3.1 Abstract of Research Work.................................................................................... 47 
7.4.1 The Suggested Residence ...................................................................................... 51 
7.4.2 Residence Appliances ............................................................................................ 52 
7.4.3 Sizing of the Solar Array ....................................................................................... 53 
7.4.4 Sizing of the Battery Bank..................................................................................... 53 
7.4.5 Sizing of the Voltage Regulator............................................................................. 54 
7.4.6 Sizing of the Inverter ............................................................................................. 54 
7.4.7 Sizing of the System Wiring .................................................................................. 54 
7.4.8 Cost estimate of the system.................................................................................... 55 
Chapter 8. PicMicrocontroller Based Tracking .................................................................... 56 
8.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 56 
8.2 14-bit instruction word............................................................................................. 57 
8.3 PIC16F877 ............................................................................................................... 57 
8.4 Tracking Controller................................................................................................... 58 
8.4.1 Choice of Control Chip.......................................................................................... 58 
8.4.2 Controlling Motors................................................................................................. 59 
8.4.2.1 Servo Motor ........................................................................................................ 59 
8.4.2.2 Stepper Motors................................................................................................... 60 
8.4.3 Selection Criteria ................................................................................................... 60 
8.8.1 Algorithm............................................................................................................... 65 
8.9.1 Tilt Design ............................................................................................................. 67 
8.9.2 Rotation Design ..................................................................................................... 69 
8.9.3 Base Design ........................................................................................................... 69 
Chapter 9 Results and discussion.......................................................................................... 71 
9.1 Achievements............................................................................................................ 71 
9.2 Problems Encountered and Solutions ...................................................................... 71 
Chapter 10. Summary/Conclusion ........................................................................................ 73 
10.1 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 73 
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................ 76 
APPENDIX A: IC’s datasheets used in project..................................................................... 76 
APPENDIX B: Practical Circuits design for Project.............................................................. 92 
APPENDIX C: PIC BasicPro Language Code Using Proton................................................. 96 

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 List of Figure

Figure 1: Solar furnace used by Lavoisier in 1774 ................................................................... 2 

Figure 2: Parabolic collector powering a printing press at the 1878 Paris Exposition ............. 3 
Figure 3: the photoelectric effect experiment ........................................................................... 3 
Figure 4: PN junction of diode.................................................................................................. 5 
Figure 5: Semiconductor depletion region formations ............................................................. 6 
Figure 6: The operation of a photovoltaic cell.......................................................................... 7 
Figure 7: Equivalent electrical circuit of solar module, showing the diode and ground ge
currents. © 1999 by CRC Press LLC........................................................................................ 9 
Figure 8: 8 Representative current-voltage curve for photovoltaic cells................................ 10 
Figure 9: Power versus voltage (p-v) characteristics of the solar module in sunlight............ 11 
Figure 10: Representative power-voltage curve for photovoltaic cells .................................. 11 
Figure 11: i-v characteristic of solar module shifts down at lower sun intensity, with small
reduction in voltage................................................................................................................. 13 
Figure 12: Photo conversion efficiency versus solar radiation. The efficiency is practically
constant over a wide range of radiation .................................................................................. 13 
Figure 13: Sun-earth relationship............................................................................................ 14 
Figure 14: Annual motion of the earth about the sun ............................................................. 15 
Figure 15: Annual changes in the sun’s position in the sky (northern hemisphere)............... 16 
Figure 16: Definition of latitude, hour angle, and solar declination....................................... 16 
Figure 17: Yearly variation of solar declination ..................................................................... 17 
Figure 18: Declination of the sun............................................................................................ 17 
Figure 19: Apparent daily path of the sun across the sky from sunrise to sunset................... 20 
Figure 20: Solar cell, Module, and Array ............................................................................... 20 
Figure 21: Parallel and series connection of two identical solar cells. ................................... 21 
Figure 22: Schematic diagram of a PV module consisting of NPM parallel branches........... 21 
Figure 23: Parallel Connected Solar Panels............................................................................ 23 
Figure 24: Series Connected Solar Panels .............................................................................. 24 
Figure 25: Block Diagram of Charge Controller .................................................................... 25 
Figure 26: Solar Charge Controller......................................................................................... 26 
Figure 27: circuit diagram for battery charging...................................................................... 27 
Figure 28: Batteries connected in parallel gives more capacity ............................................. 28 
Figure 29: Batteries connected in series gives higher voltage................................................ 29 
Figure 30: Power Inverter ....................................................................................................... 29 
Figure 31: Power Inverter ....................................................................................................... 30 
Figure 32: Block diagram a..................................................................................................... 30 
Figure 33: Block Diagram of Solar System b......................................................................... 31 
Figure 34: Illustration of the summer and winter solstices..................................................... 32 
Figure 35: Collector geometry for various modes of tracking................................................ 33 
Figure 36: Daily variation of solar flux, full tracking............................................................. 34 
Figure 37: a) One Axis Tracker .............................................................................................. 34 
Figure 38: Light sensor ........................................................................................................... 35 
Figure 39: Sun path................................................................................................................. 35 
Figure 40: Solar Panel Tracking ............................................................................................. 36 

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Figure 41: Methodologies ....................................................................................................... 36 
Figure 42: Two methods of alignment.................................................................................... 37 
Figure 43: Gear System .......................................................................................................... 38 
Figure 44: a).Voltage divider b). Cadmium sulphide ............................................................. 38 
Figure 45: Sensor Design........................................................................................................ 39 
Figure 46: Sensor Design........................................................................................................ 39 
Figure 47: Schematic diagram of a direct coupled system ..................................................... 41 
Figure 48: Schematic diagram of a stand-alone system application....................................... 42 
Figure 49: Schematic diagram of a grid-connected system .................................................... 42 
Figure 50: Schematic diagram of a hybrid connected system ................................................ 43 
Figure 51: Input parameter for estimation of monthly Global Solar radiation at Lahore,
Pakistan. .................................................................................................................................. 47 
Figure 52: Calculated Solar radiation data for Lahore............................................................ 48 
Figure 53: Time schedule diagram ......................................................................................... 50 
Figure 54: Loads for Cottage .................................................................................................. 50 
Figure 55: Loads in Table 7.2, by Type of Power .................................................................. 51 
Figure 56: Residence sketch (a) Top view (b) Isometric View .............................................. 52 
Figure 57: block diagram of solar power system.................................................................... 55 
Figure 58: Some PIC microcontrollers ................................................................................... 57 
Figure 59: PIC16F877 microcontroller pin configuration ...................................................... 58 
Figure 60: Servo Motor.......................................................................................................... 59 
Figure 61: PWM ..................................................................................................................... 60 
Figure 62: Speed comparison.................................................................................................. 60 
Figure 63: Comparison between stepper and servo motors .................................................... 61 
Figure 64; Solar Tracking Hardware ...................................................................................... 62 
Figure 65: Solar Tracker ......................................................................................................... 62 
Figure 66: PIC based Tracker ................................................................................................. 63 
Figure 67: Stepper Motor Controller ...................................................................................... 63 
Figure 68: PIC Reset Circuit................................................................................................... 64 
Figure 69: Light Sensors to Microcontroller Interface Circuit ............................................... 65 
Figure 70: Flow chart of tracking ........................................................................................... 66 
Figure 71: Mechanical Structure............................................................................................. 66 
Figure 72: Tilt mechanism ...................................................................................................... 67 
Figure 73: Tilt Gear Design .................................................................................................... 67 
Figure 74: Tilt Front View...................................................................................................... 68 
Figure 75: Tilt Gear and Motor Gear...................................................................................... 68 
Figure 76: Rotation Design without Gear............................................................................... 69 
Figure 77: Rotation ................................................................................................................. 69 
Figure 78: Base Design in Ring type Shape ........................................................................... 70 
Figure 79: Base with Rotation Pipe ........................................................................................ 70 

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CHAPTER 1. Introduction of Project

1.1 Introduction

As the range of applications for solar energy increases, so does the need for improved
materials and methods used to harness this power source. There are several factors that affect
the efficiency of the collection process. Major influences on overall efficiency include solar
cell efficiency, intensity of source radiation and storage techniques. This makes it particularly
difficult to make considerable improvements in the performance of the cell, and hence
restricts the efficiency of the overall collection process. Therefore, the most attainable
method of improving the performance of solar power collection is to increase the mean
intensity of radiation received from the source.

1.2 Motivation

Currently many private companies assembles solar power systems for commercial and
residential purpose, but the systems are not efficiently deliveries the power, due the lack of
using the tracking techniques. Due to this reason user have to pay more amount for mounding
more panels for desired power.

We have to design and develop a solar power system that gives as 30% more power as
compare to normally available system in market. This will be done by using tracking
techniques We have to design such type of system that should be affordable, reliable, and
with best features.

1.3 Previous Work

Many systems were developed by students but they were only focused on solar power
system. Solar power with tracking is just like the car with turbo that accelerates the
performance of car engine.

1.4 Aim of Project

Essentially, there are two main objectives that are accomplished by doing this project:
a. Design and development of efficient solar power system.

b. To design and construct a 2-axis solar tracking system for moving base

(vehicles, robots, and etc.).

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