Automatic solar tracking system
Friday, January 29th, 2010AUTOMATIC SOLAR TRACKER starts following the SUN right from dawn, throughout the day, till evening, and starts all over again from dawn next day. On cloudy weathers, it remains still and catches the SUN again as it slips out of clouds. It does all this automatically, employs cheap and inexpensive components, and is very accurate.Let us see how it does all this.
There are three Electronic Modules to be explained. First one is the HORIZONTAL SENSOR MODULE. It employs the timer 555 in the MONOSTABLE MODE. PIN 2(Trigger Pin of 555) is hooked up with a VOLTAGE DIVIDER NETWORK(PLEASE see FIGURE 2). PIN 4(Reset) is hooked up with ANOTHER VOLTAGE DIVIDER NETWORK.
Fig 1: Block diagram of the tracker following the sun all through
Fig 2: Horizontal sensor electronic circuit
The LDR(SAY LDR A) which is always illuminated by light through FRESNEL LENS ARRAY, has Low Resistance(in presence of light resistance of LDR decreases and vice-versa). We know V(OUT)=V(IN)*[R(bottom)]/[R(bottom)+R(top)], where R stands For Resitance. So in SUNLIGHT, when LDR A’s resistance Decreases, VOLTAGE AT PIN 4 Increases. TIMER is no more RESET. PIN 2 is now lower than 1/3 rd Vcc(as the horizontal LDR 1, say LDR B does not initially receive light through its rectangular slit, so its resistance is high(Rtop=8 K ohms), consequently V(OUT) is low). This triggers the timer which gives a pulse to Decade Counter’s Clock(14) PIN and triggers it. The Decade Counter CD 4017 gives a NORMAL STEP DRIVE pulse to the Horizontal Unipolar Stepper Motor 1(coupled to the tracker unit) to rotate the tracker position so as to receive sunlight(STEP ANGLE of 2 DEGREES). This goes on till the horizontal LDR 1 is fully in SUNLIGHT(resistance low, so PIN 2’S VOLTAGE HIGH). Thus the tracker has followed the SUN Horizontally.
Fig 3: Horizontal Sensor electronic circuit
We will come to the Vertical Sensor Module, but first let us see what the DAWN LDR(SAY LDR C) does. At night the horizontal Module timer 555 remains Reset(as LDR A is in darkness so its resistance is high, thus pin 4 voltage is low, and the TRACKER points at WEST(where SUN has set). Next day when SUN rises again in the EAST, the DAWN LDR which is located at the back of the TRACKER, points at EAST. So when it receives sunlight its Resistance goes low, thus Voltage at pin 4 is high and the timer triggers the Decade Counter which in turn switches the Motor on, thus the TRACKER again moves towards the EAST. Then the TRACKER functions as previously.
Now placed with the Horizontal Sensor LDR 1 is another similar LDR 2 which receives the sunlight as and when does LDR 1. SEE FIGURE 3. So now, as LDR B(THE 1st horizontal one) receives sunlight, so does Horizontal LDR 2(SEE FIGURE 1, THESE 2 LDRs are placed together with same alignment properties and separated by an optically insulated coating(from each other).Thus when Motor 1 comes to rest, and as the second horizontal LDR (SAY LDR D),is same way coupled to the second timer’s(of Vertical Module) Reset pin as was the ALWAYS ILLUMINATED LDR A, it brings the second timer out of its Reset mode) by the previously discussed VOLTAGE RELATIONSHIP). EYE SENSOR LDR(SAY LDR E) of the tracker receives sunlight by an Anti-Reflection Coated, small Rectangular Slit, so reacts only when SUN directly points at it. The second 555’s PIN 2 is same way connected to this LDR as was the first 555’s to Horizontal LDR 1. So now that it still not receives sunlight (resistance high, so Vout low) and pin 4 is no more Reset, the second CD 4017 MAKES THE SECOND STEPPER MOTOR 2 Rotate(Coupled so as to only rotate VERTICAL SENSING BLOCK/EYE BLOCK ). This movement continues till the SUN directly points at the EYE of our TRACKER. Then the TRACKER STOPS, pointing very accurately at the SUN.FIG 2 and FIG 3 follows.
fig 4: Stepper motor control board
In figure 4 I have only shown the Horizontal Motor Control Circuit. The Vertical One uses a similar Decade Counter, NPN Transistors, Diodes(to encounter BACK EMF of Power Transistors due to Fast Switching). I chose for a Step Angle of 2 Degrees for the Unipolar Steppers. They are driven in a Normal 4 Step Sequence, first coil A is energised simultaneously with coil B ,then coil C with coil D. Thus the Motors rotate by 2 degrees each time. The Charging Interval(how long pin 3 of 555’s remains high) is almost in synchronism with the steps/second speed of the motors(here 600 steps/sec.), to avoid FALSE TRIGGERING.
NOTE:
- For 555 in MONOSTABLE MODE, T=1.1*R*C.
- For the FRESNEL LENS ARRAY , the standard FL 40(Focal Length=0.4 inches) Or FL 65(Focal Length=0.65 inches) FRESNEL LENSES could be used (with the Grooves facing the LDRs).
- For the ANTI-REFLECTION COATING, MULTI-LAYER COATING could be used to minimize loss due to REFLECTION. By using alternating layers of a Low-Index material like SILICA and a Higher-Index material, it is possible to obtain Reflectivities as low as 0.1% at Single Wavelength.
CONCLUSION:
We Conclude with the ADVANTAGES of the TRACKER MODULE SYSTEM:
- Uses SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE ,EASY TO GET 555 timers and LDRs.
- The whole System draws only 25 MicroAmperes of Current when the Motors are not rotating.(555 timer’s off-state current req. is very less).BATTERY POWER IS SAVED.
- The TRACKER not only follows SUN from EAST to WEST and back to EAST in a cyclic manner(Horizontal Motor Module),but also tracks the Angular Movement of the SUN with respect to its ZENITH ANGLE to the Horizon(Vertical Motor Module and EYE).This is a VERSATILE quality for which the TRACKER could easily be used in conjunction with Solar Panels to derive maximum Solar Energy. Fast Motor Response(600 steps/sec.),no FALSE TRIGGERING, a Very ACCURATE System, it requires no Programming Devices(MICROPROCESSORS or MICROCONTROLLERS), so is NOT COMPLICATED.
Description :
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January 30th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
plzzzzz sir give me full diteals&componant,program,conection etc
January 31st, 2010 at 3:49 am
Is there any structural engineers or home builders online that would be interested in looking into the latest building system for homes and commercial? The system is for the entire shell of the building not just walls like others. It is Florida approved and is actually better in northern climates.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:00 am
This circuit has never been tested. It does not work and will never work. All the outputs of the 4017 are connected TOGETHER!!!
It should be removed from the web. The author has been told about this but will not listen.
April 26th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
sir,
where it is manufactured? i want to purchase it.
May 18th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Please send the cost details to my email before 20th of may, 2010. And details of how payment is to be made. thank you
May 18th, 2010 at 3:27 am
Please send the cost details to my email before 20th of may, 2010. And details of how payment is to be made. thank you for immediate compliance.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:39 pm
I want atomatic microcontroller based horizontal and vertical
solar tracking project/ project kit any available.
Mail me the details and the cost of project
July 21st, 2010 at 8:28 pm
microcontroller version of this any details
July 24th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
i also want full description and component list abt auto sun tracking system
July 28th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
plz give me cost details within two days plz i need this urgent
July 29th, 2010 at 10:21 am
sir,
I need the total informations,data including required pictures of
an automatic solar tracking system.give me full diteals&componant,
connection icluding pictures and required graphs.
kindly help me.pl send to my account immediately.
its urgent.
August 17th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
DO U HAVE ANY OTHER PROJECTS
August 26th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
plzzzzz sir give me full diteals&componant,program,conection etc, in sun tracker circuits
September 3rd, 2010 at 5:42 am
also the live support is perfect.
September 14th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
sir,
I need the total informations,data including required pictures of
an automatic solar tracking system.give me full diteals&componant,
connection icluding pictures and required graphs.
kindly help me.pl send to my account immediately.
its urgent.
September 15th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I Want t0 information on solar tracking system.please give me guidence.
September 27th, 2010 at 12:28 am
can you me the send me the full details and mechanical assembly of this project….
please………………
September 27th, 2010 at 12:37 am
sorry for mistakes in last reply .sir I need your help why because I started to doing this project.
could you give me the details and mechanical assembly drawing and bill of components……
September 28th, 2010 at 10:24 am
plz give me cost details within two days plz i need this urgent
October 14th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
plz give me the detail infomation about the ckt diagram ann poject……
October 28th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
sir, please give me all details of this project.it’s excellent project
now in these days it is necessary to save electricity.i like this
project.pls give me detail.
November 5th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
sir iam at std10 will you please suggest and sent me the pricelist of thsi project and were ican find one please sir its urgent i hope you’ll do it for me
November 10th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
I want atomatic microcontroller based horizontal and vertical
solar tracking project/ project kit any available.
Mail me the details and the cost of project
November 10th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I want atomatic microcontroller based horizontal and vertical
solar tracking project kit any available.
Mail me the details and the cost of project,as soon as possible…
November 10th, 2010 at 8:55 pm
I am a student of b.tech(EC) final year
I’m interested in this project.
Can you please send me all the details and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its spacification.
November 12th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I am a student of b.tech(EE) final year
I’m interested in this project.
Can you please send me all the details, cost and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its spacification.
November 14th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I am a student of b.tech(EE) final year
I’m interested in this project.
Can you please send me all the details, cost and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its spacification.
November 14th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
What are it’s application??
I mean what are it’s uses, can you please tell me.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Jaya Krishna.
guess_jk4u@hotmail.com
November 28th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
………i want to do this project ..overall if we want to do it how much will it coast ….nd say its other applications?……pls sir i am in need of it…….thank u sir ..
November 29th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
To all those engineers who are asking for complete details, why the hell are you pursuing an Engineering degree? Please stop annoying the author. He has written a decent paper here and don’t bug him because of your stupidity. Period.
November 30th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I am working as Technical officer in Agriculture University
I want to develop sensor panal on which 144 Light Dependant Resistance (LDR)
are connected. Whenever light is falls on any of the LDR it should be
shown on Computer screen and Time and date with LDR No. (which ldr was
on at which time and Date) should be store on computer in excel or any other convenient (table ) format. what will be the cost for it and is it possible?
can yoou help me in this regards
January 18th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
I am a student of b.e(EC) final year
I’m interested in this project.
Can you please send me all the details and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its spacification.
February 5th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
plzzzzzzz send the total informations,data including required pictures of
an automatic solar tracking system.give me full diteals&componant,
connection icluding pictures and required graphs.
kindly help me.pl send to my account immediately.
its urgent.
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:15 pm
after Cd4017 all connectios getting shorted..
This circuit doesnt works
February 24th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
sir,i would like to implement this project.so may i get the further more details of this project.I hope you will provide me the more details.Thanking you,……
March 12th, 2011 at 8:29 am
It’s excellent project
now in these days it is necessary to save electricity.i like this project.sir, I need your help why because I started to doing this project.
i’m doing only the horizontal section& i replaced resistor(4.7k),TIP120&diode1n4001 with uln 2003.motor is workng when light falls on AIS LDR but it’s not responding to horizontal ldr1(fig.2).
sir i’m expecting your reply.Thanks in advance.
Regards,
emil mammen.
March 16th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
hi me is hafiz
i m nwly member of ur excelent web. plz provide me all necessary data of this project.plzzzzzzzzz
my mail id is eehafiz90@yahoo.com
March 16th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
hi
plz provide me all necessary data of this project.plzzzzzzzzz
my mail id is florea_alexandru_marius@yahoo.com
March 29th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Hi, have just gone through your circuits on solar tracking could you please email me the parts/components especially the last stage.Thank you inadvance
July 15th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
please,send detail information and the position of LDRs on the project.
thankyou
July 17th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Hello sir.
The article is really interesting.I would like to work on it.Could you please tell me where i can get the components and how much will they cost me.
thank you.
July 18th, 2011 at 7:58 am
plz give me cost details , i need this urgently
August 5th, 2011 at 10:48 am
I am a student of BE(EC) final year
I’m interested in this project.
Can you please send me all the details and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its spacification.
August 8th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
sir i want this project in my final year project please send all the details including circuit diagram
August 21st, 2011 at 11:24 am
i am really interested in this project…pls send me all details..
August 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 pm
It’s excellent project
now in these days it is necessary to save electricity.i like this project.sir, I need your help why because I started to doing this project.
i’m doing only the horizontal section& i replaced resistor(4.7k),TIP120&diode1n4001 with uln 2003.motor is workng when light falls on AIS LDR but it’s not responding to horizontal ldr1(fig.2).
Can you please send me all the details and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its spacification.
thank you very much..
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:14 pm
please send me the details of project i am interested in this project
September 10th, 2011 at 1:01 am
hello
i am a final year student and am interested in this proect. how can i make a solar tacker that uses timer instead of LDR
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:17 pm
sir, I want some more details about it
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:18 pm
sir,send me some details for my project work
September 22nd, 2011 at 7:19 pm
sir , I want to make a ppt on it please send me some more details
September 25th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
sir,send me some details for my project work
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
..wanna know of what load capacity is the tracker in terms of weight, cos i intendind tracking the sun with a very big parabolic solar concentrator of relatively huge size…and definately large weight…would appreciate your timely response.
thanlk you.
October 3rd, 2011 at 1:24 pm
please sended me cost of this project
October 13th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
I am a student of diploma (E&TC) final year
I’m interested in this project.
Can you please send me all the details,block diagram, and circuit diagram of this project with component list with its specifications. plzzzzzzz its really eargent.
thanking you……………..!!!!!
October 13th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
sir,
plz give me cost details within two days plz i need this urgent.
November 8th, 2011 at 2:13 am
you fucking asshole..?? all not working..
December 1st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Plz send me complete details, and programming for controller IC, I want to make it.
December 9th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
sir ,
Can you please send me the details of the components required & how to make it briefly. And also can you please suggest me which circuit from this can be easily made?
December 19th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
i want how to implement the power generating using solar traking system
December 19th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
need more and more details
December 19th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
sir i want details with this project. how to u contact your home pls send message
December 21st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
sir ,
Can you please send me the details of the components required & how to make it briefly. And also can you please suggest me which circuit from this can be easily made?
December 21st, 2011 at 12:00 pm
sir ,
Can you please send me the details of the components required & how to make it briefly. And also can you please suggest me which circuit from this can be easily made
December 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm
sir ,
Can you please send me the details of the components required & how to make it briefly.
December 28th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
all r asking just provide all needs…….
January 1st, 2012 at 1:06 am
hi sir,
can u please send me the all details of project
January 10th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
hai,roopa
how r u?
January 17th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
sir send me a detai n my id shahfahad_3@yahcm
January 20th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
hey plzzz send me full detail..
January 23rd, 2012 at 11:17 am
please give us more informatiom…
January 27th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Sir, I have interest to do the project experimentally, so kindly send to me full details and tyeir demonstration procedure to me.
Thanking you.