Solar Tracking Device

Abstract

The recent decades have seen the increase in demand for reliable and clean form of electricity derived from renewable energy sources. As we are on the verge of exhaust-ing fossil fuels, we require some other promising energy source to fuel our daily needs. Solar energy is the one of best option for the primary source of energy in the future, as it is renewable, eco-friendly and safe to use. An Intelligent Solar Tracker is a device (onto which solar panels are fitted) which tracks the motion of the sun across the sky ensuring that the maximum amount of sun-light strikes the panels throughout the day. The Intelligent Solar Tracker will attempt to navigate to the best angle of exposure of light from the sun. The challenge remains to maximize the capture of the rays from the sun for conversion into electricity. This paper presents the steps of implementing a single-axis solar tracking controller. This is done so that rays from the sun fall perpendicularly unto the solar panels to maximize the capture of the rays by pointing the solar panels towards the sun and following its path across the sky,hence increasing electricity and efficiency.