Abstract
Trackers direct solar panels or modules toward the sun. These devices change their orientation throughout the day to follow the sun’s path to maximize energy capture. A solar tracker is a device that orients a payload toward the Sun. Payloads are usually solar panels, parabolic troughs, fresnel reflectors, lenses, or the mirrors of a heliostat. Getting solar energy from nature is very beneficial for power generation. Using fixed Photovoltaic panels, it is possible to extract maximum energy only during 12 noon to 2 PM in Nigeria which results in less energy efficiency. Therefore, the need to improve the energy efficiency of PV solar panels through building a solar tracking system cannot be over-emphasized because while stationary Photovoltaic panels must be perpendicular to the sun in order to get maximum energy, however, with solar trackers, they can maximize energy from the sun by rotating with it, thus keeping themselves perpendicular to the sun at all times.
To achieve this energy efficiency a solar tracking system comprises a solar panel, Atmega 338p microcontroller, and sensors. For this system to operate there must be emission of light through the sun. The LDRs serve as the sensors to detect the intensity of light entering the solar panels. The LDR then sends information to the Arduino microcontroller through the analog to digital converter(ADC). An algorithm that calculates a pulse-width modulation frequency from the information from the sensors is developed to control the motion of the linear actuator used to tilt the solar panel towards the sun. The 1000N linear actuator is then interfaced with the circuit.
The system is intended to remain stable when in use. It is also built to withstand weather, temperature, and moderate mechanical forces. Importantly, the system is fail-safe; it can recover from errors or at the very least signal that they have occurred.
