Time Based Solar Tracking System using Microcontroller

Demand of electrical energy is increasing day by day. So different power sources are being used in modern power system. Researchers are trying to make power systems more and more efficient. Solar tracking system is also a part of that research to make power sources more efficient. Solar tracking is used to extract more power from solar panels by giving solar panels maximum exposure to sunlight. Different techniques have been developed for solar tracking systems.

I have already posted an article on light-based solar tracking systems. You can check the following article:

• light based solar tracking using pic microcontroller 

What is a Time Based Solar Tracking System?

A time-based solar tracking system using a microcontroller involves designing a system that adjusts the position of solar panels or solar collectors based on the time of the day. This ensures that the solar panels are oriented towards the sun for maximum energy harvesting. Here’s a basic outline of how you can implement such a system using a microcontroller:

Time based solar tracking automatically adjusts the position of the solar panel to a more optimum position based on time with the help of a servo motor connected to the solar panel. An algorithm developed with a microcontroller using real-time clock time is used to adjust the position of the solar panel with the help of a DC motor. In this method, a relationship is developed between time and sun position through experiments in the daytime. This table is used to write the algorithm for the time-based tracking system.

Block Diagram

basic block diagram is given below:

Solar panel is connected with a servo motor. The servo motor is interfaced with a servo motor controller. A 5-volt power supply is used to provide power to microcontrollers. A DS1307 real-time clock is used to keep track of real-time information for the microcontroller. Optionally, a liquid crystal display can be used to display the time.

Circuit Diagram

Circuit diagram of time based solar tracking system is given below. ULN2003 is used to control servo motor. I have posted a separate article on how to interface servo motor with pic16f877a microcontroller. Check following article:

Stepper motor interfacing with pic microcontroller

DS1307 is real time clock IC which is used to keep microcontroller update about real time. For more information about DS1307 and its interfacing with microcontroller check following article:

• Real time clock ds1307 interfacing with Arduino

You can easily write code for time-based solar tracking after reading the above-mentioned articles.

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