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Solar cell tracker system using micro_controller pic 16f877A

Research Proposal · February 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14603.28967

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Mouaz Mhd Zafer al Hosny

Philadelphia University Jordan
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Solar cell tracker
system
Philadelphia University Jordan
moaz al hosny
1437/5/19
SUPERVISOR DOCTOR: ANIS NAZER 1- tracks the motion of the sun across the sky by rotate
motor ,to ensure that the maximum amount of sunlight strikes
STUDENT NAME: MOAZ AL HOSNY
the panels throughout the day
SUBJECT: SOLAR CELL TRACKER SYSTEM
2- Single axis trackers that have one degree of freedom that
DATE: FEBRUARY 26, 2016
acts as an axis of rotation.

S O LA R T R A C K IN G SYSTEM U S IN G P IC 3- System Control motor automatically to ensuring the best

M IC R O C O N T R O L L E R 1 6 F 8 7 7 A O R A N Y P IC H AV E sunlight is detected by light sensor
A N A L O G TO D IG ITA L C O N V E RT E R

Introduction:

In this article you will learn what is solar tracking system?

Why We need of solar tracking system ? Which methods of
solar tracking system being used now a days ? How to design
Solar tracking system ? circuit diagram of solar tracking
system. How to write code of Solar tracking system using pic
microcontroller? Let’s start with basic introduction of solar
tracking system.

Solar cells are described as being photovoltaic irrespective of

whether the source is sunlight or an artificial light. They are
used as a photo detector (for example infrared detectors),
detecting light or other electromagnetic radiation near the
visible range, or measuring light intensity.

Solar cells are described as being photovoltaic irrespective of

whether the source is sunlight or an artificial light. They are
used as a photodetector (for example infrared detectors),
detecting light or other electromagnetic radiation near the
visible range, or measuring light intensity.

Solar tracking system is a method to withdraw maximum

power from solar panels. As we know solar panels convert
solar energy into electrical energy through photovoltaic
phenomenon. Greater the intensity of solar light falls on solar
panel, greater output observe at the output of solar panel ,so
the system help us to rotate solar panel to tracking the sun. So
that we can withdraw maximum power from our installed
solar panels.The objective is to expose solar panel to
maximum time in front of solar light to get maximum power
from solar panels.

The system can perform

Background Study:
As the range of applications for solar energy increases, so does
the need for

2
improved materials and methods used to harness this power 4- After that, the motor will rotate by instructions from
source. There are several factors that affect the efficiency of MCU to the correct side
the collection process. Major influences on overall efficiency
include solar cell efficiency, intensity of source radiation and
storage techniques. This makes it particularly difficult to make
considerable
improvements in the performance of the cell, and hence
restricts the efficiency of the overall collection process.
Therefore, the most attainable method of improving the
performance of solar power collection is to increase the mean
intensity of radiation received from the source.
Basic Block Diagram:
The proposed block diagram of the project is shown in figure
1. The microcontroller reads the inputs form the light sensor
(that is measure the intensity of light) and decide the direction
of the light (sun) then performs the required operation that will
rotate motor to track the motion of the sun . The inputs of the
system is light sensor. The output is motor:

In this project I will use two light sensor in two side (west and
east) as inputs to the microcontroller ,and one motor to rotate
solar panels as the output of the microcontroller , Below is a
description of the inputs and outputs:
Inputs:
I well use two Light sensor in east and west to measure
intensity of light with the help of microcontroller.
Microcontroller reads values of both light sensor .In other
words microcontroller reads intensity of light with the help of
light sensors.
the inputs is analog reading device

I will use motor that will be rotated by microcontroller, his

role to rotate solar panels and the light sensors to sense the
max solar power.
The output depends on digital pulses.

Flow Chart:
Figure below shows the simplified flow chart of the program
to be used to implement the solar tracking system so the
program start we this steps:
1- Microcontroller Read light intensity that measured by two
light sensor in east and west .
2- If the intensity of light is same of both light sensors or
zero read (no light mean in night)the motor no rotate .
3- If the read of east more than west or vise versa
microcontroller decide what the side is more light
intensity .

3
Circuit Components:
1. PIC16F877A microcontroller: to control all the parts in
the circuit.

More PIC16F87XA Data Sheet

2. Light dependent resistor: to measure intensity of light.

LDR is a passive component whose resistance is

inversely proportional to the amount of light intensity
directed towards it.

More Light dependent resistors

3. Stepper motor(unipolar): rotate solar panels and the light

sensors to sense the max solar power

Step
per motor is an electromagnetic device that converts
digital pulses into Mechanical shaft rotation. The shaft
or spindle of a stepper motor rotates in discrete Step
increments when electrical command pulses are applied
to it in the proper sequence. (Half wave sequence)

ULN2003: is used as a stepper motor driver. As this

figure

4
 If east lDR sensor read light intensity more than west sensor
the motor will rotate to east until the two reads from sensor is
equal .
circuit diagram on proteus:

4. Resistors.
5. Power supply.
6. Capacitors and crystal oscillator.
7. Voltage Regulation

Circuit Description:
The circuit is a simple solar cell tracker ,that help us to rotate
solar panel to tracking the sun to get maximum power from
solar panels.
System Control motor automatically to ensuring the best
sunlight is detected by light sensor .
Figure below shows the detailed circuit diagram.
The input are two LDR sensor that connected to RA0 and RA1
that can read analog signal and convert it to digital signal
(pulses)
And connect the motor driver(ULN2003) to pins
RB0,RB1,RB2,RB3 that control the motor that have 5 pins 4 Conclusion:
for rotation control and 1 for power supply ,the driver have 7 This project has presented a means of controlling a sun
input and 7 output and two pin for power and ground, so tracking array with an embedded system. Specifically, it
consists of seven NPN Darlington pairs to control motor . demonstrates a working software solution for maximizing
In this circuit I will put east and west LDR sensor beside the solar cell output by positioning a solar array at the point of
solar panel to detect the sun light and over all this element I maximum light intensity.This project in simple way build only
will put them in way to rotated by stepper motor . on breadboard so the project has limitations, particularly in

5
hardware areas but In software is very useful because is DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLAR
perfect TRACKING SYSTEM
MOHAMAD FAZMAN BIN MOHAMAD YUNUS A thesis
submitted in fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical - Mechatronics) Faculty of
Electrical Engineering
University Technology Malaysia
MAY 2010

Code in my website
http://moaz-al-hosny.wix.com/learn-and-give
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell

http://microcontrollerslab.com/solar-tracking-system-using-
pic-microcontroller/

Microchip Inc., “PIC16F87X Datasheet,”

www.microchip.com, 2001.

Solar Tracker Bill Lane*

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Cleveland State University Cleveland, Ohio 44115 EEC 517
April 30, 2008

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