Dual Axis Solar Tracking System
Dual Axis Solar Tracking System
Corresponding Author:
Mugachintala Dilip Kumar
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, MLR Institute of Technology
Dundigal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500043, India
Email: [email protected]
1. INTRODUCTION
The development of solar tracking technology over time has been supported by a number of people
and organisations, which is how the dual-axis solar tracking system was created. John Perlin created one of
the first solar tracking devices in the 1970s that used a single-axis tracking mechanism to track the sun as it
moved across the sky [1]. However, this design had limitations as it only tracked the sun's movement in one
direction and was not optimized for capturing maximum solar energy.
In the 1980s, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in the United States developed a more
advanced solar tracking system that utilized a dual-axis mechanism. This device could track the sun's
movement both horizontally and vertically, making it possible to position solar panels in the best possible
way to gather the most solar energy possible throughout the day [2]–[4]. Since then, there have been
numerous advancementsand innovations indual-axis solar tracking technology, with various designs and
implementations being utilized in solar energy systems around the world. Dual-axis solar tracking systems
are widely recognised as one of the most efficient and effective techniques to boost solar energy capture and
raise the overall efficiency of solar power systems today [5]–[7].
A particular style of solar panel installation called a single-axis solar tracking system enables the
solar panels to rotate around a single axis, usually one that runs north-south. The rotating axis can be level or
inclined at an angle to correspond to the latitude of the installation location [8]–[10]. Single-axis tracking
systems can only boost the overall energy production of a solar energy system by up to 25%, depending on
the location, the weather, and other factors. However, single-axis systems have limits and might not be the
best for capturing solar energy in times of diffuse sunlight or overcast weather because they can only track
the sun's movement in one direction [11]–[13]. Dual-axis solar tracking systems are designed to circumvent
these limitations by enabling more precise alignment with the sun's movement in both the horizontal and
vertical axes [14]–[17].
The monocrystalline dual-axis solar tracking system with a weather sensor is the main focus of this
research. Temperature, rain, and humidity are monitored by sensors; the results of these sensors can be
displayed on an liquid crystal display (LCD) [18]–[20]. It uses an Arduino to control the spinning of DC
motors by detecting the strongest light using light-detecting resistors (LDRs) to detect it. The solar panel is
turned by DC motors. To assess the state of the weather, sensors are utilised. Energy has been needed and
utilised by man for his existence and well-being at an increasing rate during the last million years [21], [22].
Solar energy has the potential to be an environmentally friendly energy source that is dependable. This makes
this tactic more favourable and efficient for obtaining the maximum energy [23]–[25].
Int J Appl Power Eng, Vol. 12, No. 4, December 2023: 391-398
Int J Appl Power Eng ISSN: 2252-8792 393
3. METHOD
The fixed solar panel of the dual axis solar tracking system rotates in response to the sensor's
determination of the sun's position. Figure 1 shows how the Arduino's four analogue pins, A1, A2, A3, and
A4, are connected to four resistors and four LDRs, respectively. Internal connections between these parts
form a voltage divider arrangement. The Arduino's digital pins 9 and 10 provide pulse width modulation
(PWM) inputs to the DC motor, as seen in Figure 3. The primary light sensors are LDRs [5], [8]. Two solar
panels that are mounted to the building support the servo motor. The microcontroller receives an upload from
an Arduino programmer. As to how it operates: each LDR detects light coming from the top, bottom, left,
and right directions in turn, counting the amount of light that enters the device as sunlight hits it. The
analogue readings from the two top LDRs and the two bottom LDRs are compared to perform north-south
tracking. The bottom set of LDRs' bottom light will then cause the vertical DC motor to rotate in that
direction. The DC motor advances in that direction if the top LDRs detect lighter more light there. The
analogue values from two left LDRs and two right LDRs are contrasted for angular deflection. If the right set
of LDRs detects lighter than the right set, the horizontal DC motor will move in that direction [6], [11].
Researchers could therefore test the device's performance by mounting it on a rooftop (see Figure 4). When
DC is vertical, the motor will drive in that direction if the appropriate set of LDRs detects lighter than the
appropriate set.
− Bring the two solar panel wires for testing, then mark the locations of four LDRs on each of the panel's
four corners.
− Trim one of the LDR's two leads so that one lead is shorter and the other longer to demonstrate polarity
and facilitate soldering.
− Before the perforated metal strips (aluminum) are bent into the correct shapes as shown in Figure 5, the
four LDRs should be put into the four designated positions on the printed circuit board (PCB). One of the
bent metal strips should be glued to the back of the PCB [15].
− As shown in the circuit, solder the LDRs' two leads together. Solder 10k resistors to the LDR's leads
opposite ends. Wires are used to connect the four leads on the four LDRs.
− Now, attach them to the LDRs using bus wires so that you may receive their output. Give each pin on the
Arduino board its corresponding output. As depicted in Figure 5, insert it into the perforated metal strip.
− Now attach connecting wires to resistors and to the circuit as specified.
− To supply VCC and GND, run two additional wires through the perforated metal sheet. The resistors and
the second wire should be connected to the LDR's opposite side, with one wire connecting to the other.
− With wires connected to the resistors, short the LDR's leads. Now use glue and screws to attach a DC
motor to the metal strip. Connect them to the corresponding pins on the Arduino board.
− Take a second aluminum perforated metal strip that has been bent into the corresponding shape as
illustrated in Figure 5. Now attach a second DC motor to this metal strip using glue and screws [14].
− Initially, an i2c module is linked to the 16*2 LCD display. As indicated in Figure 5, the VCC pin is then
linked to the Arduino's 5-volt power supply, and the I2C module's ground is connected to the Arduino's
ground. The ground, VCC, and signal pins of the DHT11 sensor are connected to the Arduino.
Figure 4. Prototype testing Figure 5. Hardware model of dual axis solar tracking
Int J Appl Power Eng, Vol. 12, No. 4, December 2023: 391-398
Int J Appl Power Eng ISSN: 2252-8792 395
The single axis solar tracking and dual axis solar tracking systems comparative table is shown in
Table 3. The Table 3 displays the output values at various time periods. The output voltages of the two
tracking methods are compared because dual axis solar trackers are more effective than single axis solar
trackers. It is common knowledge that a single axis solar tracker system is unable to collect the whole range
of solar energy. The solar energy that was expected to be captured by the single axis solar tracker could
not be. One of the two axes of motion of the sun is only followed by single-axis solar tracker technology. As
a result, we recommended setting up a dual axis solar tracking system atop each structure [17]. Observation
of weather sensor is shown in Table 4.
The average power produced by the solar panels is 2.144 W for single axis solar trackers and
3.085 W for dual axis solar trackers. For dual axis trackers, efficiency is 98.083%, whereas for single axis
trackers, it is 77.045%. Dual axis sun tracking systems have been shown to gather solar energy more
efficiently and with a stronger output than single axis systems. Dual axis trackers have higher power outputs
than single axis trackers. Both trackers attain their maximum power outputs at one o'clock. When the
temperature and humidity data are presented in the LCD, power is increasing from 9.00 AM TO 1.00 PM;
while it is decreasing from 1.00 PM to 6.00 PM, the temperature will decrease from 43 to 27 °C. With single
axis trackers and dual axis trackers at 4.49 W and 4.5 W, respectively, the power peaks at noon. A dual axis
tracker produces more electricity than a single axis tracker [16].
Figure 8 depicts a visual comparison of single and dual axis solar tracking systems. The dual axis
sun tracker device has the ability to capture high voltage. When compared to other ways, graphic depiction
unquestionably demonstrates the better solar energy conversion. There are other, more efficient ways to
detect solar radiation, but they are all quite expensive. Examples include central receiver concentrators,
parabolic trough concentrators, parabolic dish concentrators, and power towers. Due to their lower cost and
higher efficiency, dual axis solar systems are now being used more frequently [12].
Figure 8. A visual comparison of single and two axis solar tracking devices is presented
5. CONCLUSION
In order to produce electricity, dual axis solar trackers constructed of monocrystalline are mounted
to follow the sun's rays in all directions with the highest intensity. It is the cheapest method of energy
conversion compared to other systems. Dual axis solar tracking systems are more efficient and produce more
energy than fixed and single axis sun tracking systems, as shown by the comparison of the two types of solar
tracking systems in this article.
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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS
Int J Appl Power Eng, Vol. 12, No. 4, December 2023: 391-398