A solar tracker is a device that orients solar panels toward the sun to maximize energy production; it works by using sensors to determine the sun's position and a motor to adjust the panel's angle accordingly. Solar trackers can improve a photovoltaic system's efficiency by 30-35% by ensuring the panels are always perpendicular to the sun's rays. The key components are the solar panels, a motor, microcontroller to process the sun's position data and control the motor, and optionally a display to show the system status.

1. -By
SREEKANTH SHASTRY V

2. CONTENTS
• Introduction
• What is a Solar Tracker ?
• Need for a Sun Tracking System
• Condition for Maximum Output
• Basic Components
• The Working
• Applications
• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION
• EXTRACTING usable electricity from the sun was
made possible by the discovery of the
photoelectric effect.
• Subsequent development of the solar cell, which
is a semi-conductive material that converts visible
light into a direct current.
• Solar arrays, a series of solar cells electrically
connected, generates a DC voltage which can be
used on a load.

4. Contd…
• Solar arrays are being used increasingly as
efficiencies reach higher levels, and are
especially popular in remote areas where
placement of electricity lines are not
economically viable.
• For further optimization of these panels solar
trackers are being implemented, which enhances
the efficiency of panels by 30-35 %.

5. What is a solar Tracker ?
• A solar tracker is a generic term used to describe
devices that orient or align various payloads toward
the sun.
• Example for payloads are photovoltaic panels,
reflectors, Collectors, lenses or other optical devices.
• The system focuses on the optimization of the electric
energy produced by photovoltaic
cells through the development of a
sun-tracking system.

6. Need For A Sun Tracking System
• From dawn to dusk the sun keeps changing the
angle from 0-90 rising and 90-180 declining.
• In a year of 365 days the sun moves
approximately 22.5 degrees north to 22.5
degrees south of the equator.
• We get maximum energy from the sun when
- The angle of the sun is degrees
- The sun’s position is 0 +/- 5 degrees of the
equator

7. Contd….
• For the fluctuation factors mentioned
previously, fixed solar panels does not give
higher efficiencies.
• A tracking system helps the solar panels keep
oriented to the sun at the optimum possible
angle.
• The tracking system improves the efficiency of
solar panels by 30% for single axis and an
additional 6% for dual axis.

9. Conditions For Maximum Output
• The difference between the incident ray and
the reflected ray should be equal to zero, i.e.
the rays should be perpendicular to the panel.
• The altitude is directly proportional to the
efficiency of the system up to a certain limit.
• Very clear sky and clean atmosphere
contributes a bit more to the efficiency of the
system.

10. Basic Components
• The Solar Panel
• Stepper Motor
• Actuator
• Microcontroller
• A Display Unit (Optional)
• Interfacing Cables

11. The Working
• Interfacing between hardware and
microcontroller
• Inputs to microcontroller
• Controlling constraints

12. Circuit Diagram

13. The Inputs
• The various positions of the sun over a year
for a particular geographical location is given
as the primary input to the microcontroller.
• The irradiance of the sun for a particular
geographical location over a year is the
secondary input for the microcontroller.
• The real time clocking is enabled in the
microcontroller.

14. Controlling Constraints
• The microcontroller is programmed to orient the
panel at optimum position against the sun, via
comparing to the inputs given.
• The microcontroller is set with a lower tolerance
for the voltage produced.
• If the voltage produced is above the tolerance
then it holds the position of the panel.
• If the voltage falls below the tolerance, then the
panel changes the position in the forward
direction.

15. Contd…
• This voltage tolerance varies according to
various seasons. Like summer has the highest
voltage tolerance value.
• A second voltage tolerance is given, so as to
switch off the system when it falls beyond the
tolerance.
• This will help in cloudy and rainy days.
• A panel will be reset to its default position at
the end of the day and starts again the next
day. This is accomplished by a timer & angle
limits.

16. Applications
• Can be used for small & medium scale power
generations.
• For power generation at remote places where
power lines are not accessible.
• For domestic backup power systems.

17. Advantages
• Solar tracking systems continually orient photovoltaic
panels towards the sun and can help maximize your
investment in your PV system.
• One time investment, which provides higher efficiency &
flexibility on dependency over other sources.
• Tracking systems can help reducing emissions and can
contribute against global warming.
• Bulk implementations of tracking systems help reduced
consumption of power by other sources.
• It enhances the clean and emission free power
production.

18. Disadvantages
• Initial investment is high on solar panels.
• It’s a bit of difficult for servicing, as the tracking
systems are not quite popular regionally.
• Moving parts and gears which will require
regular maintenance.
• May require repair or replacement of broken
parts over a long run.

19. Conclusion
• On one hand we can see the worlds energy
resources depletion to be a major problem.
• On the other hand global warming, which is a
major concern.
• Switching to solar power, which is clean and
green and enhancing its efficiency by using sun
trackers is a great option in the near future .

20. References
• http://www.solarpoweristhefuture.com
• http://www.scientificamerican.com
• http://www.linak.com/products
• http://www.thesolarguide.com
• http://www.patentstorm.us
• http://www.free-power.org
• http://en.wikipedia.org
• Solar Energy – Principles of thermal
collection & storage
By S P Sukhatme