Fabrication of Maximum Solar Energy Tracing System

Abstract

Solar energy is rapidly advancing as an important means of renewable energy resource. Solar tracking enables more solar energy to be generated because the solar panel is able to maintain a perpendicular profile to the sun’s rays. Though initial cost of setting up a solar tracking system is high, this paper proposes a cheaper solution. Design and construction of a prototype for solar tracking system with single degree of freedom, which detects the sunlight using Light Dependent Resistors (LDR), is discussed in this paper. The control circuit for the solar tracker is based on an ATMega8 microcontroller. This is programmed to detect the sunlight through the LDRs and then actuate the motor to position the solar panel where it can receive maximum sun light. Theoretical analysis and research results have been shown in this project to advocate that the designed system realized precise automatic tracking of the sun and can greatly improve the utilization of solar energy.