Solar Panel Tracking System

Project Cost: 7,900

Project Code: 1195

Description of the project:

Solar is a non-conventional source of energy, and considering this we have developed solar panels so that we can fulfill our electricity needs. But due to the revolution of the earth, the solar source i.e sun does not face the panel continuously hence less electricity is produced. The energy panel should face the SUN till it is present during the day. The problem above can be solved by our system by tracking solar energy. We have implemented Solar Panel Tracking System to solve this problem.

The block diagram below shows the system architecture. It consists of an LDR sensor that senses maximum solar power that is given to the Microcontroller through the ADC. The ADC digitizes the LDR output. The controller then takes the decision according to the algorithm and tilts the panel towards the direction of the max energy given by LDR with the help of the DC Motor. The Motor is used to rotate the LDR to sense the max solar power.

A keypad is provided to adjust the starting position of the solar panel.

Video of the project: Solar Tracking System

Block Diagram:

You will get the following documents with this project:

  1. Project Report in pdf format and in doc (word) format
  2. Circuit diagram
  3. PCB layout
  4. Microcontroller program in assembly language
  5. Hex file of the microcontroller code
  6. Datasheets of all the components / ICs used in the project
  7. Power point presentation / PPT of the project

Photographs of the Solar Panel Tracking System:

Detailed Description of Solar Panel Tracking System:

Amongst all projects based on sensors, this is the project which helps in energy optimization. On the monitoring station which receives the data sent by the system. PC interfacing module is used to give feedback to the system monitoring unit. This data is logged into the PC. The RS232 converter is used to connect the microcontroller to the PC which converts the PC’s CMOS level to Controller’s TTL level n vice versa.

Limit sensors or Touch sensors can be provided to sense the starting and ending position of the solar panel.

Applications and Advantages of Solar Panel Tracking System:

  1. This project can be used for Solar water heaters.
  2. It can also be used for Solar inverters

Future Development:

  1. We can add time-based solar panel tracking.
  2. We can implement dual axis solar panel tracking system.

Questions and answers about this project:

Question: Is this a two-axis solar tracking system or a single-axis solar tracking system?

Answer: This is a single axis solar tracking system.

View Comments

    • Hi shivani, PC interfacing is optional. It can be used to view status of various operations. PC is useful if we want to view the operations seating at our home, without going on the terrace of the building.

    • Hi Manjula, LCD is optional. But it is necessary for testing purpose, also in educational project we can show various messages on LCD like light intensity values, solar panel movement status. And about Keypad, it is used to manually rotate the solar panel, this is necessary for setting initial position of the solar panel.

  • If i order this project and when i receive it ,can I directly switch on and will it work?
    or do i have to do some connections or do i have to add something???

    IF i order this solar tracking system, within how many days will get it?

    • Hi sanjaypatel, we don't have stepper motor in our project. We have used DC motor.

    • Hi Niraj, yes we can deliver outside India. Extra shipping charges will be applicable in this case.

  • Today I have received this project by courier. There are 3 connectors coming from solar panel. Where do I connect these connectors?

    • Hi Satyajeet, there are 3 connectors coming from Solar panel. 2 connectors are coming from Light sensors (LDR) and third connector coming from DC motor. Connect LDR near ADC IC and connect motor connector near the motor driver IC. Numbers are written on the PCB as well as on the connectors. Match the numbers.

    • Hi Sonali, we have not used Infra-red sensor in this project. This project makes use of Light dependent resistor ( LDR sensor )

    • Hi Sweta, you have to add one more DC motor and 2 Light sensors (LDR) to convert this project to Dual Axis solar tracking system

  • Which controler use in this project . I require this project on higher then 8051 micro controler like atem89c5a or arm

    • Hi Dhawal, we have used 89s51 microcontroller. We can also implement this project on AVR ATmega32, ATmega16, PIC 16F73

    • Hi Ruth, we don't have tracking system and monitoring system separately placed. Both are in single circuit and single PCB. You can remove LCD if you don't want to see monitoring system.

    • Hi nimu ,
      Yes you will get a Solar panel. Also you will get a small mechanical structure which is used to rotate solar panel.

    • Hi Nimu, yes it rotates automatically. As per the light intensity sensed by 2 light sensors (LDRs).

  • Can you do shipping in the Philippines ?
    how much the shipping cost?
    Can this project be used for electrical engineering ?

    • Hi Kane, we can ship project to Philippines, please email us your address with postal code and we will let you know shipping cost. And yes, this project can be used for electrical enggineering

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