Effective Utilization Of Solar Energy

Using Tracking Circuit

Abstract:
This paper presents the practical utilization of the solar energy by using
solar tracking system.
The tracking circuit mainly works taking the inputs from the sensor units and
giving signals to the microcontroller which in turn gives the pulses to drive the
motor.
The sensing units in this circuit are light depending resistors (LDRs) whose
resistance varies proportional to the brightness of the light. The microcontroller
generates pulses to run the motor depending on the program.
The motor used is a geared DC motor. This stepper motor takes the input from
the microcontroller and turns accordingly
Block Diagram
Components:

1-LDR(Light Depending Resistor)

A Photoresistor or Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is

a resistor whose resistance decreases with increasing incident light intensity; in
other words, it exhibits photoconductivity.
A Photoresistor 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, 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. Photoresistors are basically photocells.

2-555 Timer
The 555 timer IC is an integrated circuit (chip) used in a variety of timer, pulse
generation, and oscillator applications. The 555 can be used to provide time
delays, as an oscillator, and as a flip-flop element. Derivatives provide up to four
timing circuits in one package.

3-At98c2051 micro controller

The AT89C2051 is a low-voltage, high-performance CMOS 8-bit microcomputer with 2K

bytes of Flash programmable and erasable read-only memory (PEROM).
Working and operation of solar tracking circuit:
Four LDRs are placed in a semicircular order so that the brightness is
detected at different points of time in a day. Fourth LDR always senses
dark and will be high for dark conditions.

When 1st LDR senses the brightness and the tracking will be started.

As sun changes its position brightness of 1st LDR decreases grasually and
second LDR starts sensing.

It is an process up to last LDR conducts.

Micro controller is so programmed that it gives pulse to motor for an angle

of 20 degrees for each ldr.

If last ldr detectes darkness micro controller programmed in such a way

that the controller generates pulses to rotate the motor in reverse direction.
555 timers are used for creating delay and for sending input to the micro
controller from ldr.

Delay is created between ldrs so that overlap may not be created.

If two LDRs detects same brightness in such case timer gives delay to the
LDRs and such conditions are avoided.

10k pot is used for adjusting the sensitivity of the ldrs.depending on

requirement it can be changed
Micro controller operation:
The microcontroller used is AT98C2051.This is a 20 pin controller. Program in
the controller is written and compiled using Kiel software.
An input of +5V is given to the twentieth pin and tenth pin is grounded. A
crystal oscillator of 12MHz frequency is connected between fourth and fifth pins
of the controller for generating pulses.
A switch is connected to the ninth pin of the controller for starting and stopping
tracking.
The inputs from the 555 timers are given to 2nd , 3rd, 6th and 7th pins of the
controllers and output is taken from 16th,17th ,18th and 19th pins of the
controller.The input given to the micro controller is only 5V and the
microcontroller is rated for 500mA.
The controller program is such that the micro controller gives the input to the
motor for only 3seconds when a LDR is sensed and then turned off.

This time is sufficient for the motor to run and complete the required angle.
4 relays are placed through a ULN 2003 which is a 16 pin IC to give the input
to the motor. Input of +12V is given to the ninth pin of the IC and 8th pin is
grounded.
The output pins of the microcontroller are connected to 1st , 2nd , 3rd and 4th
pins of ULN 2003.
The output pins 13, 14, 15, and 16. are connected to the motor. All the positive
contacts of the relays are connected together and the negative contacts are
grounded.
The ULN 2003 drives the motor without any problem to the micro controller.For
the first three LDRs which senses the brightness of the sun, the micro controller
turns on the relays for 3 seconds to run the motor and for the fourth LDR which
detects the darkness,the micro controller turn on the relay for 9seconds and the
motor terminals are connected reversed to turn inreverse direction. The relays
chosen are of 5V and have fast switching depending upon the output of the
microcontroller.
Results:
The readings of the open circuit voltage and currents of the solar panel before and
after the tracking of the panel is done are shown in the Table 1 and Table 2
respectively.

Conclusions:
The usage of solar energy is increasing day by day. With the effect of increased
efficiency and reducing the cost of solar energy conversion makes the utilization of
solar energy simple and reliable at domestic and industrial level. This promotes the
solar energy to become one of the major sources of energy in future .
References:
[1] Joe-Air Jiang, Tsong-Liang Huang, Ying-Tung Hsiao and Chia-Hong
Chen, Maximum Power Tracking for Photovoltaic Power Systems, Tamkang
Journal of Science and Engineering, Vol. 8, No 2, pp. 147_153 (2005)
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[3] Runsheng Tang, Tong Wu, Optimal tilt-angles for solar collectors used in
China, Applied Energy 79, pp.239-249, 2004.
[4] H. Gunerhan, A. Hepbasli, Determination of the optimum tilt angles of
solar collectors for building applications, Building and Environment 42,
pp.779-783, 2007.
[5] Hand book of photovoltaic science and engineering by Antonio Luque and
Stevan Hegedus.
[6] Renewable and efficient power systems by Gilbert M. Masters.