DUAL AXIS SOLAR TRACKER

DADI DINESH1 , T. VASUDEVA RAO2 ,P. SATYA NARAYANA3

GUNJI SRINIVAS4 , GURUBRAMHAM5

UNDER THE GUIDENCE

OF
Mr. A. CHENNA REDDY
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
ABR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
(Affiliated to JNTU KAKINADA, Approved by AICTE, New Delhi) Kandukuru road, chinairlapadu (V),
Kanigiri (M), Prakasam (Dt.), ANDHRA PRADESH-523230
2024-25

Abstract:This project deals with dual-axis solar

tracking to collect maximum rays using LDRs. It
resolves the problem by providing an arrangement INTRODUCTION:
for a solar panel to track the movement of the sun Solar energy systems have emerged as a viable
on both axes. With the increase of scarcity of source of renewable energy over the past two or
nonrenewable resources, people are trying to three decades, and are now widely used for a
identify alternate sources of energy. From all variety of industrial and domestic applications.
available renewable resources, solar energy is Such systems are based on a solar collector,
relatively easy to convert to electrical energy. The designed to collect the sun’s energy and to convert
use of solar panels to convert the sun’s energy to it into either electrical power or thermal energy. In
electrical energy is very popular. But due to the general, the power developed in such applications
movement of the Sun from east to west the fixed depends fundamentally upon the amount of solar
solar panels may not be able to generate ideal energy captured by the collector, and thus the
energy. Hence single-axis solar tracking systems problem of developing tracking schemes capable
were introduced aiming to generate ideal energy. of following the trajectory of the sun throughout
But even single-axis solar tracking has been the course of the day on a year-round basis has
analyzed and results show that it can track sun received significant coverage in this project.
rays on only one axis (either north-south or east- In Aden city (Yemen), the improvement in the
west). Hence a prototype is constructed more performance of a solar cooker during summer was
efficiently to track maximum sun rays in both the found to be as much as 40% for higher elevation
axes (both north-south and east-west). It is a low- angle and 70% for lower elevation angle, based on
cost system that provides better efficiency. Here the developed tracking algorithms. Moreover, it
the analog signals are analyzed and controlled by was shown that the amount of solar energy
Arduino Uno. This automatic system is captured by a tilted collector could be increased by
completely programmed. The energy obtained more than 40% by adjusting the tilt angle on a
from the sun is collected using a solar panel by seasonal basis.This project is designed with MCU.
arranging four LDRs. The amount of energy Two LDRs are used to monitor the solar light
obtained and positions at two LDRs on the same condition. These LDR output is interfaced to
axis are compared and analyzed to decide the Microcontroller through transistor. The controller
movement of the servo motors which moves the continuously checks the voltage level of the LDRs
panel to the direction where more energy is and operates the motor to face the panel to
available. It has an LCD to display the output maximum level of intensity. The day / night
visual information of the type of rotation needed condition is also monitored by these two LDRs to
and angle of rotation and inclination. disable the tracking in night condition. The motor
is driven by Motor driver. The microcontroller
will rotate the DC motor according to the sun Azimuth motor (vertical axis): Rotates the panel
light. To drive the DC motor we have used L293D east to west to follow the sun’s daily movement.
motor driver circuit. The Micro controller used is Elevation motor (horizontal axis): Tilts the panel
programmed using Embedded ‘C’ language. up and down to follow the sun’s changing height
Literature Review throughout the day and year.
a) Abdallah & Nijmeh (2004) Real-Time Adjustment:
Developed a two-axis solar tracker using a sensor- The control system continuously processes the
based system. Found that energy gain improved by sun’s position.
41.34% compared to a stationary panel. It sends signals to the motors to adjust the panel’s
b) Kacira et al. (2004) angles in real time.
Designed a microcontroller-based system using Optimal Solar Exposure:
light sensors. Their implementation improved The solar panel stays perpendicular to sunlight,
efficiency by up to 36%. maximizing the amount of solar energy received.
c) Luqman et al. (2013) Power Generation:
Compared the performance of single and dual axis The increased sunlight exposure allows solar cells
trackers under different climatic conditions. Dual to generate more electricity throughout the day,
axis systems performed significantly better during especially during morning and late afternoon
winter and in areas with low sun angles. hours.
d) Tina & Gagliano (2011) Two Axes of Movement:
Used simulations to compare the economic Horizontal axis (tilt/elevation): Adjusts the angle
performance of dual axis trackers in PV farms, of the panel up and down to follow the sun’s
validating their use for large-scale systems. altitude.
e) Bhaskar & Kumar (2013) Vertical axis (azimuth/rotation): Rotates the panel
Implemented a solar tracking system using left and right to follow the sun’s path from east to
Arduino and servo motors, offering a cost- west.
effective, open-source solution for solar tracking The tracker adjusts its position continuously or
in small-scale systems. periodically to face the sun as directly as possible.
Block diagram:
Results

CONCLUSION
Working Principle of a Dual-Axis Solar System The dual-axis solar system is a powerful solution
for maximizing solar energy output. By following
Sun Position Detection: the sun’s movement both horizontally and
vertically, it ensures that solar panels maintain the
The system uses light sensors (photodiodes or best possible angle to the sun throughout the day
phototransistors) or astronomical algorithms to and across seasons. This leads to significantly
detect the sun’s position in the sky. higher efficiency compared to fixed or single-axis
Two Motors or Actuators: systems.Though it involves higher installation and
maintenance costs, the increase in energy
production can offset these expenses over time,
especially in locations with abundant sunlight.
Dual-axis systems are ideal for high-performance
solar projects where maximum energy yield is the
priority.
REFERENCES:
M.A. Elobaid, A.M. Massoud, S.A. Ahmed
Design and Implementation of a Dual-Axis Solar
Tracking System
Renewable Energy, Volume 82, 2015, Pages 371-
380.
DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.09.005

S. Mekhilef, R. Saidur, A. Safari

A Review on Solar Energy Use in Industries
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,
Volume 15, Issue 4, 2011.
Highlights performance comparisons between
fixed and tracking systems.

I. H. Altas, A.M. Sharaf

A Smart Self-Adjusting Dual-Axis Solar Tracking
System Using Light Sensors and Arduino
International Journal of Engineering Research and
Applications (IJERA), 2013.

Md. Rasel Mia et al.

Design and Development of a Dual Axis Solar
Tracker for Performance Enhancement
International Journal of Renewable Energy
Research, Vol. 9, No. 1, March 2019.

Mdpi.com – Energies Journal

Design and Implementation of a Dual-Axis Solar
Tracking System
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