Marasigan, Neil Jelo C.

BSEE 4-4

MICROCONTROLLER BASED SOLAR PANEL MOVEMENT CONTROL

Due to the continues innovation of this world through technologies, sources of energy
are becoming one of the most priority, also considering, how will it affect the environment.
Renewable energy sources in particular, solar energy is the most known because of its non-
polluting energy source. Solar panels are the fundamental solar-energy conversion components,
however, it is fixed on a certain direction and are not able to track the sunlight direction due to
weather and the changes in position of the sun.

I. Features of the System

It is a solar tracking system using a various combination of components and sensors.

Logically, it is not the typical solar panel that is fixed with one angle or stationary, it tracks the
sunlight to improve its power efficiency. If this system achieves the maximum adequacy it can
reduce the cost of electricity generation.

This system tracks the angle of inclination of sun rays due to the continuous movement
of the sun from east to west. Moreover, during cloudy days the situation totally goes out of
control. During the night, it initializes the system to face the ground to protect it from the dust
and increase its longevity.

II. Module/Transducers Connected to the System

In this case study, we have discussed about a solar tracking device this were designed
by some LDR (Light Dependent Resistances), a comparator LM358, a micro-controller
(AT89S52), a crystal oscillator, stepper motor and a stepper motor drive. The basic idea behind
this work is that the intensity of light will be sensed by the LDR’s separated by a certain angular
distance, the comparators will compare the incident light intensity with the intensity of
perpendicular incidence. The micro-controller will rotate the stepper motor by the desired angle
depending on the output of the comparators via a stepper motor driver circuit to maximize the
efficiency. Also, it was programmed with EdSim51DI.

III. Number of Inputs/Outputs used in the System

The used inputs on this system were the following; the LDR (Light Dependent
Resistances) and the solar panel. The output was the comparator and the stepper motor. The
LDR output and the reference voltage are the inputs to the microcontroller AT89S52 which
rotates the stepper motor to the direction of maximum solar radiation via a stepper motor
driver.