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Introduction:
Solar power is the use of the suns energy either directly as thermal energy (heat)
or through the use of photovoltaic cells in solar panels and transparent photovoltaic
glass to generate electricity.
Standard photovoltaic solar panels are the most efficient application of
photovoltaics. However, photovoltaic glass allows generation from surfaces like
building windows that were previously incapable of anything but passive solar
energy and also enables other options, like color choices. Other technologies
include low-tech solar heaters created from recycled cans that provide an
inexpensive source of heat. [1]
Bi-Axial Design
The best way to design a Bi-Axial solar panels is to use positive feedback
for accurate position tracking. Using position feedback improves the tracking
accuracy and helps ensure that the solar array is actually positioned where
the controls dictate it should be, based on time of day and time of year, and
especially after meteorological events involving strong winds, snow, and ice.
[3]
Components of a PV system:
Most of these sensors are basically used to give feedback for error
calculation. In this project, we will be using LDR but these sensors could be
implemented in order to get much more accurate results.
Inclination Sensors
Directly mounted to the PV array, they provide direct feedback on the tilt of
the array with respect to the horizon. Inclination sensors are great for singleaxis trackers. Absolute position is retentive through power loss --- the
inclination sensor will accurately report tilt angle upon restoration of power.
Proximity Sensors
These are used to count gear teeth on elevation jackscrews or rotary slew
rings. The position data (pulse count) must be maintained in the controller, as
the proximity sensor itself has no knowledge of angular or rotary position.
Thus, the sensor does not provide absolute position --- it only reports
incremental motion based on sensing the presence / absence of targets.
Despite these shortcomings, proximity sensors are one of the most costeffective solutions for many tracker applications.
Rotary Encoders
These sense and measure rotation of drive motors or motor-driven linear
actuators, and usually need to be closely integrated into the design of the
actuator itself. Absolute, multi-turn rotary encoders can provide retentive,
absolute position data even through power loss, and can be applied to either
the elevation or rotational axes of any of the tracker types shown above.
Ultrasonic Sensors
Capable of measuring relatively long distances, ultrasonic sensors can be
mounted on a tracker frame and provide distance feedback between the
sensor and a fixed target mounted on the ground or tracker base. The
inclination angle of the solar array can be easily determined using this
measured distance and geometry. The ultrasonic sensor approach also
provides accurate absolute position information upon restoration of power.
Four LDRs and Four 100K resistors are connected in a voltage divider
fashion and the output is given to 4 Analog input pins of Arduino.
The PWM inputs of two servos are given from digital pins 9 and 10 of Arduino.
Graph: