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Sun Tracking Solar Panel

September 5, 2018 By Administrator(https://www.electronicshub.org/author/elktros/)
In this project, we will see a simple Sun Tracking Solar Panel circuit which will track the
Sun and position the solar panels accordingly.

Outline

Introduction
As the non renewable energy resources are decreasing, use of renewable resources for
producing electricity is increasing. Solar panels are becoming more popular day by day.
We have already read a post about how to install solar panel for home. Solar panel
absorbs the energy from the Sun, converts it into electrical energy and stores the
energy in a battery.

This energy can be utilized when required or can be used as a direct alternative to the
grid supply. Utilization of the energy stored in batteries is mentioned in below given
applications.
The position of the Sun with respect to the solar panel is not xed due to the rotation of
the Earth. For an e cient usage of the solar energy, the Solar panels should absorb
energy to a maximum extent.

This can be done only if the panels are continuously placed towards the direction of the
Sun. So, solar panel should continuously rotate in the direction of Sun. This article
describes about circuit that rotates solar panel.

Principle of Sun Tracking Solar Panel

The Sun tracking solar panel consists of two LDRs, solar panel and a servo motor and
ATmega328 Micro controller.

Two light dependent resistors are arranged on the edges of the solar panel. Light
dependent resistors produce low resistance when light falls on them. The servo motor
connected to the panel rotates the panel in the direction of Sun. Panel is arranged in
such a way that light on two LDRs is compared and panel is rotated towards LDR which
have high intensity i.e. low resistance compared to other. Servo motor rotates the panel
at certain angle.

When the intensity of the light falling on right LDR is more, panel slowly moves towards
right and if intensity on the left LDR is more, panel slowly moves towards left. In the
noon time, Sun is ahead and intensity of light on both the panels is same. In such cases,
panel is constant and there is no rotation.

Sun Tracking Solar Panel Circuit Diagram

Components in the Circuit

Solar panel
ATmega328 Micro Controller
Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) x 2
10KΩ x 3
Servo Motor
16MHz Crystal
22pF Ceramic Capacitors x 2
Push Button
 Breadboard
Cardboard
Connecting Wires

Automated Sun Tracking Solar Panel Circuit Design

The proposed system consists of ATmega328 micro controller, Solar panel, Light
Dependent resistors and Servo Motor.

ATmega328 Microcontroller
ATmega328 is an AVR family micro controller. It is based on advanced RISC architecture.
It is an 8-bit controller. It has 32K Bytes of Programmable Flash memory, 1K Bytes of
EEPROM and 2K Bytes of SRAM. It has 23 programmable I/O pins. It supports peripheral
features like two 8-bit timers, one 16-bit timer, 6 channel ADC with 10-bit resolution,
programmable USART, Serial Peripheral Interface
(https://www.electronicshub.org/basics-serial-peripheral-interface-spi/), 2 wire serial
interface (I2C), etc.

Solar Panel
Solar panel is placed on a piece of cardboard (just for demonstration) and the bottom of
the cardboard is connected to Servo motor. Solar panel consists of photovoltaic cells
arranged in an order. Photovoltaic cell is nothing but a solar cell. Solar cell is made up of
semiconductor material silicon.
When a light ray from Sun is incident on the solar cell, some amount of energy is
absorbed by this material. The absorbed energy is enough for the electrons to jump
from one orbit to other inside the atom. Cells have one or more electric eld
(https://www.electronicshub.org/basics-of-electric- eld/) that directs the electrons which
creates current. By placing metal contact energy can be obtained from these cells.

LDR
Light Dependent Resistors or LDRs are the resistors whose resistance values depend on
intensity of the light. As the intensity of light falling on the LDR increases, resistance
value decreases. In dark, LDR will have maximum resistance. LDR will output an analog
value which should be converted to digital. This can be done using analog to digital
converter.

ATmega328 has analog to digital converter (https://www.electronicshub.org/analog-

circuits-and-digital-circuits/) internally. It has six ADC channels from ADC0 to ADC5 (Pins
23 – 28). The two LDRs are connected to ADC pins i.e. 27 and 28 in a voltage divider
fashion with the help of individual 10KΩ Resistors. ADC conversion is done using
successive approximation method.
Servo Motor
Servo motor is used to rotate the panel. To drive the servo motor, a PWM Signal must
be provided to its control pin and hence Pin 17 (which has PWM) is connected to the
control pin of the servo motor.

By connecting a battery to the solar panel, you can store the energy generated by the
solar cells and this energy can be used when required. There are separate charge
controller circuits dedicated to e ciently control the charge acquired from solar panels
and charge the batteries.

[Also Read: How To Make an Adjustable Timer

(https://www.electronicshub.org/adjustable-timer/)]

Code
In a previous tutorial, I have shown you “How to Burn Bootloader to ATmega328
(https://www.electronicshub.org/burn-bootloader-on-atmega328/)”. In this tutorial, you
can understand how to upload code to the ATmega328 Microcontroller using Arduino
IDE.
The code for the project is given below.

1 #include <Servo.h>
2
3 Servo myservo;
4 int ldr1 = 4;
5 int ldr2 = 5;
6 int val1;
7 int val2;
8 int pos=90;
9
10 void setup()
11 {
12 myservo.attach(11);
13 Serial.begin(9600);
14 myservo.write(pos);
15 }
16
17
18
19 void loop()
20 {
21 val1 = analogRead(ldr1);
22 val2 = analogRead(ldr2);
23 val1 = map(val1, 0, 1023, 0, 180);
24 val2 = map(val2, 0, 1023, 0, 180);
25 if(val1 > (val2+50))
26 {
27 if(pos<180)
28 pos=pos+1;
29 myservo.write(pos);
30 Serial.println("backward");
31 delay(10);
32 }
33 else if(val2 > (val1+50))
34 {
35 if(pos>0)
36 pos=pos-1;
37 myservo.write(pos);
38 Serial.println("forward");
39 delay(10);
40 }
41
42 }
os/3deabec4a261deae22273de59bd041f8/raw/ecfe14f6e17d1637e3d820b30530840a03f0fd79/Sun_Tracking_Solar_Panel.ino)

❤
Sun_Tracking_Solar_Panel.ino (https://gist.github.com/elktros/3deabec4a261deae22273de59bd041f8#file-
sun_tracking_solar_panel-ino) hosted with by GitHub (https://github.com)

How Sun Tracking Solar Panel Works?

Assemble the circuit as described and upload the code to ATmega328
Microcontroller.
Power on the circuit and place the set up directly under the Sun (on the rooftop).
Based on the light falling on the two LDRs, the ATmega328 Microcontroller changes
the position of the Servo Motor which in turn moves in the panel.

Advantages of Sun Tracking Solar Panel

The solar energy can be reused as it is non-renewable resource.
This also saves money as there is no need to pay for energy used (excluding the
initial setup cost)
Helps in maximizing the solar energy absorption by continuously tracking the sun.

Sun Tracking Solar Panel Applications

These panels can be used to power the tra c lights and streetlights
These can be used in home to power the appliances using solar power.
These can be used in industries as more energy can be saved by rotating the panel.

Limitations of Sun Tracking Solar Panel Circuit

1. Though solar energy can be utilized to maximum extent this may create problems
in rainy season.
2. Although solar energy can be saved to batteries, they are heavy and occupy more
space and required to change time to time.
3. They are expensive.
So far you came to know about the working principle of a sun-tracking solar panel. If
you want to set up or install them on your home or o ce rooftops then we would like to
share with you about Best Solar Panel Kits for Homes In 2018
(https://www.electronicshub.org/best-solar-panel-kits/)
This article will help you in understanding the concept of solar panel kits and guides you
how to choose solar panels (vital considerations) when purchasing online. Read the
complete article and choose the one that best matches your requirements.

Related Posts:
Do Solar Panels Store Energy (https://www.electronicshub.org/do-solar-panels-
store-energy/)
Solar Panel Sizes and Weights - Complete Guide
(https://www.electronicshub.org/solar-panel-size/)
Do Solar Lights Require Direct Sunlight? (https://www.electronicshub.org/solar-
lights-need-sunlight/)
What Size Solar Panel to Charge 12V Batteries?
(https://www.electronicshub.org/what-size-solar-panel-to-charge-12v-battery/)
How Many Solar Panels to Charge a Car? (https://www.electronicshub.org/solar-
panels-to-charge-a-car/)
Want to Know More About Solar Panel Monitoring?
(https://www.electronicshub.org/solar-panel-monitoring/)
58 Responses

SARAVANAN says:

very super projects will be given .Thank u for this help everyone must use this sun
tracking solar panel.

Reply

priyanka says:
↪

We are doing the same project but instead of using microcontroller we are going to
used Labview sofware.Is there any specific rating for the solar panel in this project.
So,please do help.

Reply

Administrator says:
↪

No specific rating for the panel. In this project, the solar panel only moves in the
direction of Sun in order to produce more power.

Reply

balaji says:
↪

Hoe can i use lab view for this project ? pls guide me

Reply
 ram says:
↪

No specific rating of panel and no draw the basic diagram

BALU SUBRAHMANYAM says:

Is sun tracking solar panels are useing any where

Asad says:

Hello dear. Have you done the project if yes then can you help me please as i am
doing it as my semester project. Here is my mail, your contact will be appreciated.
Thank you.

Reply

TALAH MAIRAJ says:

↪

If you got the project kindly mail

Reply

Navin says:

Hi can i get the project for my reference?

Reply
 kamlesh says:

how i can get the coding of this project?

Reply

prasad says:
↪

somebody can suggest me to how to make connection of LDR . i mean where to

connect it.

Reply

Komal Sandeep Rane says:

↪

Which solar panel is used ?

There are many brands available online which offer different varity os solar panel
ranging from 200 to 2000.Kindly provide the shopping link for the solar panel if
possible

Reply

p.suganya says:

What is price of this project?

Reply

Avinash says:
 Is there any code required for the microcontroller.

Reply

ashish says:

is there any programming associated with the project??

Reply

Anusha says:
↪

Yes it requires code but it is not practically implemented..We will update it soon

Reply

Arjun Mayilvaganan says:

↪

Can we expect code soon?

Reply

Deepak says:

Code plz

Reply

Sarah May says:

 were curently doing this project.. anyone here who can give us some advice and
suggestion?

Reply

David says:
↪

Please guide me… I’m under going to this project…. In very short time to submit this
project

Reply

prasad gunjal says:

yes it is required .That you have to find.

Reply

MOHINI BHINGARE says:

HOW MUCH RATINGS OF COMPONENTS

Reply

Anusha says:
↪

Here Motor driver L293D can drive upto 30v maximum.So you can use motor upto
30v.While Solar Panel Rating is selected depending on your application

Reply
 asrul says:

can you help me by sending the code programming for this project because it will help me
for my final year project

Reply

MADHAN KUMAR says:

Hello Sir, we are currently working on this concept, and stuck up in coding part, can you
help us in that, Please…

Reply

ravinder says:

i really need programming anybody can send me coding plese

saini_ravinder@hotmail.com (mailto:saini_ravinder@hotmail.com)

Reply

muhib says:

Coding for this project?

Reply

Jhonatan says:
 Can you please send me the code?
This is my email adress : projeto.geogebra@gmail.com
(mailto:projeto.geogebra@gmail.com)
Thanks

Reply

NAGA SWATHI TAVVA says:

can anybody suggest how to learn progamming code and how dump it into the kit

Reply

sandesh says:

can you send me code for progrmming controller ?

Reply

avinash abimanyu says:

am currently working on this project can any one send me a code pls my mail id is
avinash051297@gmail.com (mailto:avinash051297@gmail.com)

Reply

Ajay says:

it is an very good idea, but what happen if we use lens to concentrate sun light on the
panel.

Reply
 James G says:
↪

Then you would overheat the cell, that might destroy the cell also the heat creates
inefficient pannel.

Reply

jimil says:
↪

we can use mirror… which is improve efficiency by 33% if its on good position with
all solar panels in lines.

Reply

Bwire Emma says:

Pse members iam currently doing the same project pse any body with the code send it to
me on bwireemma6@gmail.com (mailto:bwireemma6@gmail.com)
Thanx in advance

Reply

Gunasankari R says:

Could I get the code for this project?

Reply

lubna mh. says:

 what is the characteristic measurement of the sensor LDR like the range , span ,resolution
and error band

Reply

lubna mh. says:

i need the error bands and resolution

Reply

Mudasir says:

Send proper circuit and components required and there rating..

Reply

amit kumar says:

send a programing of this project microcontroller atmega8…..

Reply

vivek says:

iam unable to find the code for this project.expecting a code soon

Reply

Farhan Sheikh says:

 could we fuse our program from arduino board and use the MC in this circuit ?

Reply

Vijay says:

Hii..sir it is good project which gives much more efficiency then the normal solar panel .. I
am also making the same project so .. I need a help that the exact ratings of the motor
and solar panel and I want to know how the connections are give .. plz as much as quick
rply me.. I need to do submit my project in very less time .. plz ..

Reply

Donald moore says:

↪

Did anyone respond to your Question I want to do this project for my Engineering class,
Do you buy the parts from them are buy online somewhere else

Reply

Seidu Francis says:

Pls guys I’m a final year student in electrical electronics engineering department

Reply

Ajith says:

I think it is a very good idea ??

Reply
 uday says:

what is the name of the driver IC used for controlling the stepper motor

Reply

Ravi says:
↪

L293D

Reply

Abcd says:
↪

No its ULN2003

Reply

Nitesh Kandoriya says:

We can implement this project in practically ?

Reply

Shreyash l Ratnagiri says:

Thank u soo much electronics hub… This article helped us in our final year project….. The
language used in your article is very easy to understand….also helped in external
viva….tysm
Reply

John Goldsmith says:

If you put the 2 photocells in series across the power supply and take the centrepoint to a
processor input, you only need the single input line. If voltage is around half supply keep
motor still. If higher, drive one way; if lower, drive the other way.

Reply

Ryan says:

Do you have a more detailed wiring diagram for this?

Reply

Jagruti Patil says:

Can you please give me some more references for this project since I am a sy student
and don”t know much about micro controller?

Reply

Asad says:

Can anybody share the ATMEl code pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee?

sheryhundal11@gmail.com (mailto:sheryhundal11@gmail.com) your help would be
appreciated.

Reply
 Pranav patil says:

What if power went off?? How will it work??

Reply

Sunny says:

Can any one help me the detailed circuit connection for this project, im confused.

Reply

samuel says:

can it be done for bigger panels

Reply

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