A TECHNICAL SEMINAR

ON

“SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKER”

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the academic requirement

For the award of degree in

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
Submitted by

MD. ABDUL RAHAMAN 21085AO214

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING,

SHADAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
(Affiliated to J.N.T.U., Hyderabad)
Peerancheru, Himayath Sagar Road, Hyderabad – 500086, Telangana.
(2020-24)
 SHADAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Peerancheru, Himayath Sagar Road, Hyderabad – 500086, Telangana.

ESTABLISHED BY SHADAN EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY (A MINORITY INSTITUTION)

Permitted by the Govt. of Telangana. Approved by A.I.C.T.E. & Affiliated to JNTU,

Hyderabad. Accredited by NAAC with A+ Grade.

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the following ‘ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING’

MD.ABDUL RAHAMAN 21085AO214

Student of SHADAN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, Hyderabad have

successfully completed the technical seminar entitled “SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKER"
completed in Shadan College of Engineering and Technology. During this program, his
performance was satisfactory.

Internal Guide Head of the Department

Mr. D. SUNIL KUMAR REDDYM. Tech Mr. AMER ALI KHAN, M.Tech
Associate Professor & Academic Coordinator Associate Professor & H.O.D.

E.E.E. Department E.E.E. Department

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This is an acknowledgement of the intensive drive and technical competence of many

individuals who have contributed to the success of our project

We are sincerely thankful to our beloved director Mr. SA MUNEEM. Shadan College of
Engineering and Technology affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad for his support and permitting us
to do this project and providing us all the necessary facilities.

It is of immense pleasure for us to express our deep sense of gratitude to Mr. ATEEQ UR
REHMAN, Principal of Shadan College of Engineering and Technology for this esteem
guidance, valuable comments and encouragement throughout this dissertation.

We are thankful and grateful to Mr. AMER ALI KHAN. Associate Professor and Head of
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Shadan College of Engineering and
Technology affiliated to JNTU Hyderabad for suggesting the topic, his valuable guidance and
encouragement throughout this dissertation.

Our sincere thanks to our beloved internal guide Mr. D SUNIL KUMAR REDDY M.Tech,
Associate Professor SCET & Project coordinator, for his guidance and contribution in
developing the project.

Last but not the least we are indebted to our beloved parents. We always derive inspiration
from them.

Finally we thank one and all for their direct and indirect help at the various stages of our
project.
 DECLARATION

I undersigned, declare that the Technical Seminar entitled "ELECTRICITY GENERATION

FROM OCEAN WAVES " being submitted in partial fulfilment for the award of Bachelor of
Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, affiliated to JNTUH University, is the
work carried out by me.

MD.ABDUL RAHAMAN 21085AO214

 INDEX
CONTENTS PAGE NO:
ABSTRACT i

BLOCK DIAGRAM ii

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL 1

1.2 SOALR RADIATION 3

CHAPTER-2
2.1 LIST OF THE COMPONENTS 4

2.2 MICRO CONTROLLER (16F72) 4

2.2.1 PIN DISCRIPTION 5

2.3 REGULATED POWER SUPPLY (RPS) 7

2.4 LED INDICATOR 8

2.5 DC MOTOR 10

2.6 SOLAR 12

2.7 LDR 13

2.8 LIMIT SWITCH 15

CHAPTER 3
3.1 SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM 16

3.2 HORIZONTAL (SAST) 17

3.3 HORIZONTAL TILTED (SAST) 17

3.4 VERTICAL (SAST) 18

3.5 VERTICAL TILTED (SAST) 18

CHAPTER 4
4.1 WORKING OF (SAST) 19

CHAPTER 5
5.1 SOFTWARE DISCRIPTION 21

5.1.1 EXPRESS PCB 21

5.1.2 PIC-C COMPILER 22

5.1.3 PROTEOUS SOFTWARE 23

5.1.4 COMPILATION AND SIMULATION STEPS 23

CHAPTER 6
6.1 ADVANTAGES

6.2 DISADVANTAGES 25

CHAPTER 7
7.1 APPLICATIONS 26

CHAPTER 8
8.1 FUTURE SCOPE 27

CHAPTER 9
9.1 CONCLUSION 28

CHAPTER 10
10.1 RESULT 29

CHAPTER 11
11.1 REFERENCES

11.2 BOOKS REFERRED 30

LIST OF FIGURES PAGE NO:
FIG 1.1 SOALR & SUN TRACKING 1

FIG 1.2 SUN RADIATION 3

FIG 2.1 MICRO CONTROLLER 5

FIG 2.2 PIN DISCRIPTION 5

FIG 2.3 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF RPS 7

FIG 2.4.1 INSIDE A LED 8

FIG 2.4.2 PARTS OF A LED 9

FIG 2.4.3 ELECTRICAL SYMBOL & POLARITIES OF LED 9

FIG 2.5.1 DC MOTOR 10

FIG 2.5.2 OPERATION OF DC MOTOR 11

FIG 2.6 DIAGRAM OF A SOLAR PLATE / CELL 12

FIG 2.7.1 THE SYMBOL FOR A PHOTO RESISTOR 13

FIG 2.7.2 LDR 13

FIG 2.7.3 A LDR 14

FIG 2.8 LIMIT SWITCH 15

FIG 3.1 SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM 16

FIG 3.2 HORIZONTAL (SAST)

FIG 3.3 HORIZONTAL TILTED (SAST) 17

FIG 3.4 VERTICAL (SAST)

FIG 3.5 VRTICAL TILTED (SAST) 18

FIG 4.1 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF (SAST) 19

FIG 4.2 MOVMENT OF SOLAR PANEL TOWARDS SUN DIRECTION 20

FIG 5.1 PICTURE OF PROGRAM DUMPER WINDOW 24

 ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project is to design and construct a solar tracker system that follows the sun
direction for producing maximum out for solar powered applications.

Achieving balance between power consumption and power production is a bigger

challenge today. The best way to solve this imbalanced equation is to use solar energy as
efficiently as possible. The problem in the usage of solar energy is with solar cell panel should be
exposed maximum to the sun light. If the solar panel is fixed in a particular direction then the sun
light intensity varies from morning to evening. Moving the solar cell panel in the direction of sun
can increase the solar energy generated from the solar cell.

This project consists of few sun light sensors and a motorized mechanism for rotating the panel
in the direction of sun. Microcontroller based control system takes care of sensing sunlight and
controlling the motorized mechanism. This system works continuously without any interruption.

The main block of these project are Micro controller (16F72), Cristal oscillator, Regulated power
supply (RPS), LED indicator, DC motor, Solar and LDR. Software’s used PIC-C compiler for
Embedded C programming, PIC kit 2 programmer for dumping code into micro controller,
Express SCH for circuit design and Proteus for hardware simulation.

i
 BLOCK DIAGRAM

FIG: Block diagram of Single Axis Solar Tracker

ii
 CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL.

The purpose of this project is to design and construct a solar tracker system that follows the sun
direction for producing maximum out for solar powered applications.

Single-axis trackers usually move from the east to the west and follow the Sun's direction. Single

axis trackers are cheap, very simple in set up and run at low cost. They are more reliable than
dual-axis trackers. Single axis has higher lifespan than dual-axis trackers

Achieving balance between power consumption and power production is a bigger challenge
today. The best way to solve this imbalanced equation is to use solar energy as efficiently as
possible. The problem in the usage of solar energy is with solar cell panel should be exposed
maximum to the sun light. If the solar panel is fixed in a particular direction then the sun light
intensity varies from morning to evening. Moving the solar cell panel in the direction of sun can
increase the solar energy generated from the solar cell.

This project consists of few sun light sensors and a motorized mechanism for rotating the panel
in the direction of sun. Microcontroller based control system takes care of sensing sunlight and
controlling the motorized mechanism. This system works continuously without any interruption.

Fig 1.1: solar and sun tracking

1
Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy
weather. The rate at which solar energy is intercepted by the Earth is about 10,000 times greater than
the rate at which humankind consumes energy.

Solar technologies can deliver heat, cooling, natural lighting, electricity, and fuels for a host of
applications. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic
panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.

Although not all countries are equally endowed with solar energy, a significant contribution to the
energy mix from direct solar energy is possible for every country.

The cost of manufacturing solar panels has plummeted dramatically in the last decade, making them
not only affordable but often the cheapest form of electricity. Solar panels have a lifespan of roughly
30 years, and come in variety of shades depending on the type of material used in manufacturing.

Solar irradiation data is needed at all levels of solar power development, from initial government
planning through to large-scale project development or the calculations needed to size smaller
systems. In the past such data was provided at a relatively course level and global providers, but
more recently specialist models have been developed to more precisely calculate global
horizontal irradiation (GHI) and direct normal irradiation (DNI) using primarily cloud cover data
from satellites. A number of firms now offer such data as a commercial service. Based on this, it
is possible to calculate average annual power output from a theoretical photovoltaic power plant
(PVOUT), taking into account temperature, tilt, and the efficiency of the equipment being used
(solar panels and balance of system components).

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on
the way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight. Active solar techniques include the use
of photovoltaic modules (also called photovoltaic panels) and solar thermal collectors (with
electrical or mechanical equipment) to convert sunlight into useful outputs. Passive solar
techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal
mass or light dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

2
1.2 SOLAR RADIATION

Solar radiation, often called the solar resource or just sunlight, is a general term for the
electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. Solar radiation can be captured and turned into
useful forms of energy, such as heat and electricity, using a variety of technologies.

Fig 1.2 Sun Radiation

All of the energy from the Sun that reaches the Earth arrives as solar radiation, part of a large
collection of energy called the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Solar radiation includes
visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared, radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. Radiation is one
way to transfer heat.

Solar radiation provides heat, light, and energy necessary for all living organisms. Infrared
radiation supplies heat to all habitats, on land and in the water 24. Without solar radiation, Earth's
surface would be about 32°C colder 25. Solar radiation provides the necessary heat and light for
life on Earth.

3
 CHAPTER-2
COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT

2.1 LIST OF THE COMPONENTS

1. Micro controller (16F72)

2. Regulated power supply (RPS)

3. LED Indicator

4. DC motor

5. Solar

6. LDR

7. LIMIT SWITCH

2.2 MICRO CONTROLLER (16F72)

Circumstances that we find ourselves in today in the field of microcontrollers had their
beginnings in the development of technology of integrated circuits. This development has made
it possible to store hundreds of thousands of transistors into one chip. That was a prerequisite for
production of microprocessors, and the first computers were made by adding external peripherals
such as memory, input-output lines, timers and other. Further increasing of the volume of the
package resulted in creation of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits contained both
processor and peripherals. That is how the first chip containing a microcomputer, or what would
later be known as a microcontroller came about.

4
 Microprocessors and microcontrollers are widely used in embedded systems products.
Microcontroller is a programmable device. A microcontroller has a CPU in addition to a fixed
amount of RAM, ROM, I/O ports and a timer embedded all on a single chip. The fixed amount
of on-chip ROM, RAM and number of I/O ports in microcontrollers makes them ideal for many
applications in which cost and space are critical.

The microcontroller used in this project is PIC16F72. The PIC families of microcontrollers are
developed by Microchip Technology Inc. Currently they are some of the most popular
microcontrollers, selling over 120 million devices each year. There are basically four families of
PIC microcontrollers

Fig 2.1: Microcontrollers

2.2.1 PIN DISCRIPTION

PIC16F72 has a total of 28 pins. It is most frequently found in a DIP28 type of case but can also
be found in SMD case which is smaller from a DIP. DIP is an abbreviation for Dual In Package.

Fig 2.2. Pin Discription

5
There are 28 pins on PIC16F72. Most of them can be used as an IO pin. Others are already for
specific functions. These are the pin functions.
1. MCLR – to reset the PIC
2. RA0 – port A pin 0
3. RA1 – port A pin 1
4. RA2 – port A pin 2

5. RA3 – port A pin 3

6. RA4 – port A pin 4
7. RA5 – port A pin 5
8. VSS – ground
9. OSC1 – connect to oscillator
10. OSC2 – connect to oscillator
11. RC0 – port C pin 0 VDD – power supply
12. RC1 – port C pin 1
13. RC2 – port C pin 2
14. RC3 – port C pin 3
15. RC4 - port C pin 4
16. RC5 - port C pin 5
17. RC6 - port C pin 6
18. RC7 - port C pin 7
19. VSS - ground
20. VDD – power supply
21. RB0 - port B pin 0
22. RB1 - port B pin 1
23. RB2 - port B pin 2
24. RB3 - port B pin 3
25. RB4 - port B pin 4
26. RB5 - port B pin 5

27. RB6 - port B pin 6

28. RB7 - port B pin 7

6
2.3 REGULATED POWER SUPPLY (RPS)

Power supply is a supply of electrical power. A device or system that supplies electrical or other
types of energy to an output load or group of loads is called a power supply unit or PSU. The
term is most commonly applied to electrical energy supplies, less often to mechanical ones, and
rarely to others.

A power supply may include a power distribution system as well as primary or secondary
sources of energy.

Conversion of one form of electrical power to another desired form and voltage, typically
involving converting AC line voltage to a well-regulated lower-voltage DC for electronic
devices. Low voltage, low power DC power supply units are commonly integrated with the
devices they supply, such as computers and household electro

Fig 2.3 Block Diagram of Regulated Power Supply

7
2.4 LED INDICATOR

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LED’s are used as

indicator lamps in many devices, and are increasingly used for lighting. Introduced as a practical
electronic component in 1962, early LED’s emitted low-intensity red light, but modern versions
are available across the visible, ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, with very high brightness.
The internal structure and parts of a led are shown below.

Fig 2.4.1 : Inside a LED

Working:

The structure of the LED light is completely different than that of the light bulb.
Amazingly, the LED has a simple and strong structure. The light-emitting semiconductor
material is what determines the LED's color. The LED is based on the semiconductor diode.

When a diode is forward biased (switched on), electrons are able to recombine with holes within
the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence and
the color of the light (corresponding to the energy of the photon) is determined by the energy gap
of the semiconductor. An LED is usually small in area (less than 1 mm2), and integrated optical
components When a diode is forward biased (switched on), electrons are able to recombine with
holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons.

8
 FIG 2.4.2 : Parts of a LED

An LED is usually small in area (less than 1 mm2), and integrated optical componentsare used to
shape its radiation pattern and assist in reflection. LED’s present many advantages over
incandescent light sources including lower energy consumption, longer lifetime, improved
robustness, smaller size, faster switching, and greater durability and reliability. However, they
are relatively expensive and require more precise current and heat management than traditional
light sources. Current LED products for general lighting are more expensive to buy than
fluorescent lamp sources of comparable output. They also enjoy use in applications as diverse as
replacements for traditional light sources in automotive lighting (particularly indicators) and in
traffic signals. The compact size of LED’s has allowed new text and video displays and sensors
to be developed, while their high switching rates are useful in advanced communications
technology. The electrical symbol and polarities of led.

Fig 2.4.3: Electrical Symbol & Polarities of LED

9
2.5 DC MOTOR

A dc motor uses electrical energy to produce mechanical energy, very typically through the
interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors. The reverse process, producing
electrical energy from mechanical energy, is accomplished by
an alternator, generator or dynamo. Many types of electric motors can be run as generators, and
vice versa. The input of a DC motor is current/voltage and its output is torque (speed).

Fig 2.5.1 : DC Motor

The DC motor has two basic parts: the rotating part that is called the armature and the stationary
part that includes coils of wire called the field coils. The stationary part is also called the stator.
Figure shows a picture of a typical DC motor, Figure shows a picture of a DC armature, and Fig
shows a picture of a typical stator. From the picture you can see the armature is made of coils of
wire wrapped around the core, and the core has an extended shaft that rotates on bearings. You
should also notice that the ends of each coil of wire on the armature are terminated at one end of
the armature. The termination points are called the commutator, and this is where the brushes
make electrical contact to bring electrical current from the stationary part to the rotating part of
the machine.

Operation:
The DC motor you will find in modem industrial applications operates very similarly to the
simple DC motor described earlier in this chapter. Figure 12-9 shows an electrical diagram of a
simple DC motor. Notice that the DC voltage is applied directly to the field winding.

10
The armature and the field are both shown as a coil of wire. In later diagrams, a field resistor will
be added in series with the field to control the motor speed. When voltage is applied to the
motor, current begins to flow through the field coil from the negative terminal to the positive
terminal. This sets up a strong magnetic field in the field winding. Current also begins to flow
through the brushes into a commutator segment and then through an armature coil. The current
continues to flow through the coil back to the brush that is attached to other end of the coil and
returns to the DC power source. The current flowing in the armature coil sets up a strong
magnetic field in the armature.

Fig 2.5.2 : Operation of a DC Motor

The magnetic field in the armature and field coil causes the armature to begin to rotate. This
occurs by the unlike magnetic poles attracting each other and the like magnetic poles repelling
each other. As the armature begins to rotate, the commutator segments will also begin to move
under the brushes. As an individual commutator segment moves under the brush connected to
positive voltage, it will become positive, and when it moves under a brush connected to negative
voltage it will become negative. In this way, the commutator segments continually change
polarity from positive to negative. Since the commutator segments are connected to the ends of
the wires that make up the field winding in the armature, it causes the magnetic field in the
armature to change polarity continually from north pole to south pole. The commutator segments
and brushes are aligned in such a way that the switch in polarity of the armature coincides with
the location of the armature's magnetic field and the field winding's magnetic field. The
switching action is timed so that the armature will not lock up magnetically with the field.
Instead the magnetic fields tend to build on each other and provide additionally.

11
2.6 SOLAR

Fig 2.6: Diagram of solar plate/cell

A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts solar energy into electricity by the
photovoltaic effect. Sometimes the term solar cell is reserved for devices intended specifically to
capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used when the source is
unspecified. Assemblies of cells are used to make solar panel, solar modules, or photovoltaic
arrays. Photovoltaic is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar
cells for solar energy.

When sunlight strikes a solar cell, electrons in the silicon are ejected, which results in the
formation of “holes”—the vacancies left behind by the escaping electrons. If this happens in the
electric field, the field will move electrons to the n-type layer and holes to the p-type layer.
Solar cell efficiencies vary from 6% for amorphous silicon-based solar cells to 40.7% with
multiple-junction research lab cells and 42.8% with multiple dies assembled into a hybrid
package. Solar cell energy conversion efficiencies for commercially available multi crystalline
Si solar cells are around 14-19%.

Solar cells can also be applied to other electronics devices to make it self-power sustainable in
the sun. There are solar cell phone chargers, solar bike light and solar camping lanterns that
people can adopt for daily use

12
2.7 LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)

Fig 2.7.1 : The symbol for a photo resistor

Fig 2.7.2 : Light Dependent Resistor

The internal components of a photoelectric control for a typical American streetlight:

The photo resistor is facing rightwards, and controls whether current flows through the heater
which opens the main power contacts. At night, the heater cools, closing the power contacts,
energizing the street light. The heater/bimetal mechanism provides a built-in time-delay.A photo
resistor or light dependent resistor or cadmium sulfide (CdS) cell is a resistor whose resistance
decreases with increasing incident light intensity. It can also be referenced as a photoconductor.

13
 Fig 2.7.3 : A light dependent resistor

A photo resistor is made of a high resistance semiconductor. If light falling on the device is of
high enough frequency, photons absorbed by the semiconductor give bound electrons enough
energy to jump into the conduction band. The resulting free electron (and its hole partner)
conduct electricity, thereby lowering resistance.

A photoelectric device can be either intrinsic or extrinsic. An intrinsic semiconductor has its own
charge carriers and is not an efficient semiconductor, e.g. silicon. In intrinsic devices the only
available electrons are in the valence band, and hence the photon must have enough energy to
excite the electron across the entire band gap. Extrinsic devices have impurities, also called
dopants, and added whose ground state energy is closer to the conduction band; since the
electrons do not have as far to jump, lower energy photons (i.e., longer wavelengths and lower
frequencies) are sufficient to trigger the device. If a sample of silicon has some of its atoms
replaced by phosphorus atoms (impurities), there will be extra electrons available for conduction.
This is an example of an extrinsic semiconductor.

Photo resistors come in many different types. Inexpensive cadmium sulfide cells can be found in
many consumer items such as camera light meters, street lights, clock radios, alarms, and
outdoor clocks.

They are also used in some dynamic compressors together with a small incandescent lamp or
light emitting diode to control gain reduction.

14
2.8 LIMIT SWITCH

Limit Switch are basic switches that have been encased to protect them from external forces,
water, oil, and dirt. Many models are available, such as those resistant to head, cold, or
corrosion, as well as high-precision models.

Fig 2.8: Limit switch

Limit Switches & Limit Switch Information: A mechanical limit switch interlocks a mechanical
motion or position with an electrical circuit. A good starting point for limit-switch selection is
contact arrangement. The most common limit switch is the single-pole contact block with one
NO and one NC set of contacts; however, limit switches are available with up to four poles.

Limit switches also are available with time-delayed contact transfer. This type is useful in
detecting jams that cause the limit switch to remain actuated beyond a predetermined time
interval.

Limit switch is one type Of " Contact Sensor" , In that there is Normally Open Contact &
Normally Close Contact, In limit switch there is Plunger it is Directly Connected to NO & NC
Contact if we press the plunger NO contact become NC & NC contact become NO, Working
Principle same as Contactor ( DOL starter ) main difference is in contactor There is Coil to
attract the Plunger But In Limit Switch Plunger is Operated Mechanically. Limit Switches is
used mainly for Safety Purpose & to take Feed back for PLC in Automation industries........

Limit switches are classified based on their actuating mechanism and application. The limit
switch may be operated by mechanical power, electricity, pneumatic or hydraulic.

15
 CHAPTER-3

SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS

3.1 SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM

Single-axis solar tracking systems follow the solar by moving in a single axis (vertical or
horizontal). Generally, the inclination angle is adjusted manually at certain intervals during the
year and automatic movement is provided in the east–west direction. Single-axis systems are
more cost-effective than two-axis systems but have lower yields in terms of efficiency. Single-
axis solar tracking systems are moved on the vertical or horizontal axis depending on the solar
trajectory and the weather condition .A schematically illustrates the single-axis solar tracking
following the azimuth angle.

Fig 3.1: Solar Tracking System

Active solar tracking systems use electrical drives and mechanical gear trains to orient the panels
normal to the sun's radiation. They use sensors, motors, and microprocessors for the tracking and
are more accurate and efficient than the passive solar trackers, but they are required to be
powered and consume energy.There are two types of solar tracking systems: single-axis and
dual-axis.

16
3.2 Horizontal Single-Axis Solar Tracker (HSAST)

HSAT rotates from east to west throughout the day on fixed axis, which is parallel to the ground,
and it is considered as the most cost effective tracker configuration in many PV applications.
HSAT structure is placed on many supports along the rotating axis, requires less material for
construction and its horizontal configuration is most preferred compared to other tracking
geometries.

Fig 3.2 : Horizontal Single Axis Solar Tracker

3.3 Horizontal Tilted Single-Axis Solar Tracker (HTSAST)

HTSAT tracker is very similar to the HSAT, but installed at a certain tilt. They are more
complex than horizontal one-axis trackers and are expensive. They require a concrete foundation,
adding to the total cost and they are not known to be scalable.

Fig 3.3 : Horizontal Tilted Axis Solar Tracke

17
3.4 Vertical Single-Axis Solar Tracker (VSAST)

These systems can be mounted in north/south or east/west orientation to follow more “up-and-
down” movement of the sun in the sky. These are most often seen in high-altitude/mountainous
locations or those at more extreme latitudes.

Fig 3.4 : Vertical Single Axix Solar Tracker

3.5 Vertical-Tilted Single-Axis Solar Tracker (VTSAST)

These are similar to HTSATs except that the tilt aligns to a horizontal position and rotates on a
vertical axis. These trackers are better in producing energy compared to horizontal trackers.
However, their tilt is subject to increased wind loads compared to horizontal units. Also, they
have a high structural demand, and require extra concrete and steel towards building a strong
foundation.

Fig 3.5 : Vertical-Tilted Single Axis Solar Tracker

18
 CHAPTER-4
WORKING

4.1 WORKING OF SINGLE AXIX SOLAR TRACKER

4.1: schematic diagram of Single axis Solar Tracker

Single axis solar trackers are an effective invention in the solar industry. As you must have read
in your Geography books, the sun’s position is never static. It moves from East To West. So, if
you install a solar panel at the angle of the sun’s energy, it is not enough.

19
This is because, at one point, it won’t get the sunrays as the sun shifts its angle. Luckily, to
address this problem, we have a single axis solar tracker installed in many solar panels today.
Now the panels can move along with the position of the sun’s rays.

A single-axis solar tracking system uses a tilted PV panel mount and one electric motor to move
the panel on an approximate trajectory relative to the Sun's position. The rotation axis can be
horizontal, vertical, or oblique.

Fig 4.2: Movment of Solar panel toward sun directions

When sun moving from east to west the light depending resistor is a component which tracks the
angle of the sun and it helps to moving certain angle for solar panel. When LDR tracks or depend
the sun light the servo motor which is connect to the solar panel it rotates the solar panel towards
sun which LDR shows. When the panel moves totally towards the sun up to the west side
direction. After the sun set the sun light will be disappears then the limit switch enabled and it
stops the movement in motor and its make the panel to its original position.This all process
operates a micro-controller the all program for all components will be dumped to the
microcontroller or arduino.

20
 CHAPTER-5

SOFTWARE DISCRIPTION

5.1 SOFTWARE DISCRIPTION

This project is implemented using following software’s:

 Express PCB – for designing circuit
 PIC C compiler - for compilation part
 Proteus 7 (Embedded C) – for simulation part

5.1.1 EXPRESS PCB:

Breadboards are great for prototyping equipment as it allows great flexibility to modify a
design when needed; however the final product of a project, ideally should have a neat PCB,
few cables, and survive a shake test. Not only is a proper PCB neater but it is also more
durable as there are no cables which can yank loose.

Express PCB is a software tool to design PCBs specifically for manufacture by the company
Express PCB (no other PCB maker accepts Express PCB files). It is very easy to use, but it
does have several limitations.

It can be likened to more of a toy then a professional CAD program.

It has a poor part library (which we can work around)

It cannot import or export files in different formats

It cannot be used to make prepare boards for DIY production

21
5.1.2 PIC-C COMPILER

PIC compiler is software used where the machine language code is written and compiled. After
compilation, the machine source code is converted into hex code which is to be dumped into the
microcontroller for further processing. PIC compiler also supports C language code.

It’s important that you know C language for microcontroller which is commonly known as
Embedded C. As we are going to use PIC Compiler, hence we also call it PIC C. The PCB,
PCM, and PCH are separate compilers. PCB is for 12-bit opcodes, PCM is for 14-bitopcodes,
and PCH is for 16-bit opcode PIC microcontrollers. Due to many similarities, all three compilers
are covered in this reference manual. Features and limitations that apply to only specific
microcontrollers are indicated within. These compilers are specifically designed to meet the
unique needs of the PIC microcontroller. This allows developers to quickly design applications
software in a more readable, high-level language. When compared to a more traditional C
compiler, PCB, PCM, and PCH have some limitations. As an example of the limitations,
function recursion is not allowed.

This is due to the fact that the PIC has no stack to push variables onto, and also because of the
way the compilers optimize the code. The compilers can efficiently implement normal C
constructs, input/output operations, and bit twiddling operations. All normal C data types are
supported along with pointers to constant arrays, fixed point decimal, and arrays of bits.

PIC C is not much different from a normal C program. If you know assembly, writing a C
program is not a crisis. In PIC, we will have a main function, in which all your application
specific work will be defined. In case of embedded C, you do not have any operating system
running in there. So you have to make sure that your program or main file should never exit. This
can be done with the help of simple while (1) or for (;;) loop as they are going to run infinitely.

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5.1.3 PROTEUS SOFTWARE:
Proteus is software which accepts only hex files. Once the machine code is converted into hex
code, that hex code has to be dumped into the microcontroller and this is done by the Proteus.
Proteus is a programmer which itself contains a microcontroller in it other than the one which is
to be programmed. This microcontroller has a program in it written in such a way that it accepts
the hex file from the pic compiler and dumps this hex file into the microcontroller which is to be
programmed. As the Proteus programmer requires power supply to be operated, this power
supply is given from the power supply circuit designed and connected to the microcontroller in
proteus. The program which is to be dumped in to the microcontroller is edited in proteus and is
compiled and executed to check any errors and hence after the successful compilation of the
program the program is dumped in to the microcontroller using a dumper.

5.1.4 COMPILATION AND SIMULATION STEPS:

For PIC microcontroller, PIC C compiler is used for compilation. The compilation steps are as
follows:

 Open PIC C compiler.

 You will be prompted to choose a name for the new project, so create a separate folder
where all the files of your project will be stored, choose a name and click save.
 Click Project, New, and something the box named 'Text1' is where your code should be
written later.
 Now you have to click 'File, Save as' and choose a file name for your source code ending
with the letter '.c'. You can name as 'project.c' for example and click save. Then you have
to add this file to your project work.

 You can then start to write the source code in the window titled 'project.c' then before
testing your source code; you have to compile your source code, and correct eventual
syntax errors.
 By clicking on compile option .hex file is generated automatically.
 This is how we compile a program for checking errors and hence the compiled program
is saved in the file where we initiated the program.

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After compilation, next step is simulation. Here first circuit is designed in Express PCB using
Proteus 7 software and then simulation takes place followed by dumping. The simulation steps
are as follows:
 Open Proteus 7 and click on IS1S6.
 Now it displays PCB where circuit is designed using microcontroller. To design circuit
components are required. So click on component option.
10. Now click on letter ’p’, then under that select PIC16F73 ,other components related to the
project and click OK. The PIC 16F73 will be called your “'Target device”, which is the final
destination of your source code.

Fig 5.1: Picture of program dumper window

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 CHAPTER-6
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGE

6.1 ADVANTAGES OF SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKER

o Single-axis trackers usually move from the east to the west and follow the Sun’s
direction.

o Single axis trackers are cheap, very simple in set up and run at low cost.

o They are more reliable than dual-axis trackers.

o Single axis has higher lifespan than dual-axis trackers.

o Single-axis trackers suit companies that want

o a low cost option.

o Single axis trackers also fit for areas with less sun.

o Single axis tracker has a better efficiency related to a solar panel in fixed form. The
effectiveness of single axis solar tracker over fixed solar tracking mount panel is
32.17%.

6.2 DISADVANTAGES OF SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKER

o Solar trackers are slightly more expensive than their stationary counterparts, as they
are regarded as complex systems with moving parts.

o Trackers require more maintenance than fixed systems. The type and quality of solar
tracking system governs how much maintenance the system requires and how often.

o All tracking systems need a great deal of site preparation. Additional trenching for
wiring and grading is required too.

o Financing tracking projects is seen as a more complex and high-risk venture from a
financier’s viewpoint.

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 CHAPTER-7
APPLICATIONS

7.1 APPLICATIONS OF SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKER

1. This energy can be utilized for simple house hold appliances.

2. This energy can be stored and utilized as back up power supply mainly in industries.

3. Single-axis trackers usually move from the east to the west and follow the Sun’s
direction.

4. Single-axis trackers have only one angle that is used as the axis of rotation. This type
of tracker can increase electricity production by more than 30%.

5. These trackers provide an efficient, simple, and low-cost way to improve the
functioning of solar installations.

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 CHAPTER-8

FUTURE SCOPE

8.1 FUTURE SCOPE

Our project “Single axis Solar Tracker” is mainly intended to track the sun direction using a
bunch of LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) sensors and using a DC motor. The light from sun
falls on the LDR which is fed as input to the micro controller which in turn rotates the DC motor
by predefined number of steps. The rotation of DC motor depends on which LDR the light from
the sun falls.

This project can be extended by using a solar plate instead of a bunch of LDR’s to which a DC
motor is attached and also a battery attached to it, which helps in tracking the sun as well as
storing the maximum energy and this energy stored can be used for operating different devices.
By employing a larger solar plate, the output energy can be increased.

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 CHAPTER-9
CONCLUSION

9.1 CONCLUSION

Integrating features of all the hardware components used have been developed in it. Presence of
every module has been reasoned out and placed carefully, thus contributing to the best working
of the unit.

Secondly, using highly advanced IC’s with the help of growing technology, the project has been
successfully implemented. Thus the project has been successfully designed and tested.

An Arduino based single axis solar tracking system was designed and constructed in the current
work. LDR light sensors were used to sense the light intensity of the sun with the help of the
photovoltaic cells. The stepper motor had enough torque to drive the pane

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 CHAPTER-10
RESULT

10.1 RESULT

The project “Single axis Solar Tracker” is designed such that it used to construct a solar tracker
system that follows the sun direction for producing maximum output of solar energy which can
be used for solar powered applications.

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 CHAPTER-11

REFERENCES

11.1 REFERENCES

The sites which were used while doing this project:

1. www.wikipedia.com

2. www.allaboutcircuits.com

3. www.microchip.com

4. www.howstuffworks.com

11.2 Books referred:

1. Raj kamal –Microcontrollers Architecture, Programming, Interfacing and System Design.

2. Mazidi and Mazidi –Embedded Systems.

3. PCB Design Tutorial –David.L.Jones.

4. PIC Microcontroller Manual – Microchip.

5. Embedded C –Michael.J.Pont.

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