Simple 1 axis solar PV tracker

This 1 axis tracker is made from an R/C servo controlled by an Arduino.

The central axis it pivots on means that at dawn and dusk the panel is more vertical to optimise sunlight from the sun when it is low in the sky. Throughout the season the azimuth angle needs to be adjusted every few days - to compensate as the solar noon gets higher in the sky.

First it scans the sky in 10 degree steps to find the maximum sun. Then it scans a +/-5 degree patch every minute to find a better maxima.

Easy and cheap to make - fairly simple to code up and control with an Arduino

This could be scaled up for larger panels using a geared motor such as a windscreen wiper motor. This small scale model was just to test the principles, develop code and make a self tracking solar battery charger for NiMH batteries.
Have a look at http://sustburbia.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-solar-pv-tracking-and-wireless.html and openenergymonitor.org for more details.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• #arduino
• #nanode

[goldenfin]

Nice one Ken. Simple,elegant solution.