1. UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY, TARKWA
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Presentation on:
A SOLAR RADIATION TRACKER FOR SOLAR ENERGY OPTIMISATION
BY: AKPARIBO RICHARD AWINGOT ( )
SUPERVISOR: MR. E. NORMANYO

2. Mode of Presentation Problem Definition Project Objectives
Research Methodology
Scope of Work
Main Presentation
Conclusion and Recommendation

3. Problem Definition
A solar radiation tracker is a device for orienting a solar photovoltaic panel towards the sun.
One well-known type of solar tracker is the heliostat.
This research proposes a design that utilises the solar panel itself as a sensor.

4. Project Objectives
Design a more reliable and efficient dual axis solar tracking system.
Reduce cost.
Make electricity accessible to remote areas.

5. Research Methodology
Research from the internet and available textbooks.
Consultation with resource personnel
Consultation with lecturers
Use of computer programming and simulation Software
Use of UMaT Tech. Prep Lab.

6. Scope Of Work
This project is limited to the optimisation of solar energy using a microcontroller-based automatic dual axis solar radiation tracker.

7. Main Presentation Solar Radiation Tracking Techniques
Design Methodology
Control Software Implementation
Experimental results

8. Solar Radiation Tracking Techniques
Two general forms of tracking:
Fixed control algorithms
Dynamic tracking

9. Diagram of single and dual axes solar trackers
Single Axis Solar Tracker
Dual Axis Solar Tracker

10. Block Diagram of Proposed Tracker
Design Methodology
Block Diagram of Proposed Tracker
PV Panel
ADC
Motor Driver ULN2003
Motor Driver ULN2003
Stepper Motor
Gear Drive
Azimuth
PIC 16F877A Microcontroller
Altitude rotation

11. The PIC Microcontroller
PIC 16F877A Microcontroller

12. PIC16F877A Pin Diagram
Top View

13. Features of the PIC 16F877A Microcontroller
368 bytes data memory
8 k word flash program memory
3 timers
10-bit A/D Channels
40 Pin package
2 Capture/Compare/PWM modules
33 I/O pins

14. The Stepper Motor Driver (ULN2003)
The ULN2003 is a 7-bit 50V 500mA NPN transistor darlington array.
Capable of controlling a four phase uniploar stepper motor such as M42SP-7

15. Pin and Schematic diagrams of the ULN2003 Stepper Motor Driver
Schematic Diagram of each Pin Configuration
Pin Diagram

16. The Stepper Motor
A four phase unipolar stepper motor is used in this design.
Power supply to the motor is V. Taken from the panel.
The typical stepper motor used is M42SP-7

17. Schematic Circuit Connection of ULN2003 with Stepper Motor

18. Control Circuit Diagram of the Hardware Design

19. Control Software of the Hardware Design
The hardware design was programmed using mikroBasic for PIC with the help of a flowchart .
Program automatically controls the azimuth rotation while the altitude rotation is operated manually.

20. Flowchart for the Control Software

21. Flowchart for the Control Software Cont.

22. Experimental Results Estimating the Enhancement by Employing a Single Axis Tracker
Angle of Incidence(Degrees)
Voltage Delivered by a Fixed Panel (V)
Voltage Delivered by a Tracking Panel (V)
3.99 15
3.84
3.98 30
2.93
3.97 45
2.74
3.95 60
2.54
3.96
Total
16.04
19.85
(Experiment Conducted at UMaT Electrical Technical Preparatory Laboratory)
Enhancement

23. Conclusion
An enhancement of 23.8% using a 0.02 W 4 V, single axis tracker under laboratory conditions shows that higher energy will be gained when a higher rating dual axis tracker is employed.

24. Recommendation
Cloudy weather conditions can put the tracker to sleep so that it has to be reset manually after the cloud is over. Future work can concentrate on curbing this problem.

25. Thank you