Development of a non-electrical device for tracking the movement of the sun for movement of the solar panels, increasing their efficiency
ABSTARCT : Background: Solar panels are most efficient when they are directly facing the sun. However, the sun’s position changes throughout the day and across seasons, which can reduce the amount of sunlight that fixed solar panels receive.
Description: Traditional solar tracking systems often rely on electrical components and motors, which can be costly and require maintenance. A non-electrical tracking system offers a sustainable and low-maintenance alternative to enhance the efficiency of solar panels.
Expected Solution: The problem statement is to develop a cost-effective, non-electrical device that can accurately track the sun’s movement and adjust the orientation of solar panels to maintain optimal exposure. This device should be reliable, easy to install, and capable of operating without external power sources.
If the solar panel is fixed in a particular direction, then the sun light intensity varies from morning to evening. Moving the solar cell panel in the direction of sun can increase the solar energy generated from the solar cell.
This project consists of few sun light sensors and a motorized mechanism for rotating the panel in the direction of sun. Arduino based control system takes care of sensing sunlight and controlling the motorized mechanism. This system works continuously without any interruption.The main controlling device of the project is Arduino uno microcontroller which LDR’s and servo motor with panel setup is interfaced.
The Microcontroller gets input from LDR sensors regarding the direction of sun and controller process this information and controls the movement of solar panel attached to servo motor.
Limited Tracking Capability:
May not track the sun as accurately or dynamically as electrical systems, particularly in changing weather conditions.
Manual Adjustment Requirement:
Some systems may require manual adjustments or initial setup for seasonal changes, which can reduce overall efficiency.
Weather Sensitivity:
Performance may be affected by extreme weather conditions, such as freezing temperatures or high winds, which could lead to malfunction.
Design Constraints:
Designing an effective non-electrical tracker that can accommodate various geographical locations and seasonal sun paths can be challenging.
Declination Angle (d): It represents the location of the sun with relation to the equator of the Earth. It is the resulting angle between the position of the sun and the plane of the Equator. The tilt of the axis of the Earth and the plane of its Sun’s orbit is roughly 23.44 degrees. As a result, throughout the earth's rotation around the sun, throughout the year the declination angle varies from 23.45 degrees South on Jun 21 to 23.45 degrees south on December 21.
Elevation Angle or Altitude Angle (a): It is the angle of the Sun’s vertical position in the sky in relation to the surface observer on Earth. It calculates the angle between the observer's horizon and an imaginary line drawn between the Sun and the surface observer. If the altitude angle is negative, this means the Sun is below the horizon..
Solar Azimuth Angle (?s): It represents the sun's horizontal direction in relation to a reference direction. It is the angle formed between the projection of the line of sight of the sun onto the ground and due south. A position East of South is indicated by a positive azimuth angle, while a position West of South is indicated by a positive azimuth angle.
iv. Latitude (F): Latitude is a distance from the equator to the poles in degress. At the Equator, it is 0 degrees and at the poles, it is 90 degrees. The intersection of the latitude angle and the longitude angle is used to precisely and uniquely define a location on the Earth’s surface.
Lower Initial Investment: Non-electrical solar trackers often have a lower upfront cost compared to their electronic counterparts, as they do not require expensive sensors, motors, or control systems.
Resilience to Environmental Conditions: Mechanical systems can be more robust against weather-related issues compared to electronic systems, which might fail due to moisture or temperature fluctuations.
No Electrical Dependency: Non-electrical trackers operate solely on mechanical principles, eliminating dependence on grid power or batteries, making them suitable for remote locations.
Fewer Components: Non-electrical systems typically consist of basic mechanical parts, which makes them easier to design, construct, and maintain.
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