Simple DIY Solar Tracker

This tracker is lashed up from two solar cells salvaged from solar garden lights and a maxon geared motor.

That's it. No frills.

Accuracy is around +/- 10 degrees.

If anyone thinks of a way I can get it to very simply auto-reset at the beginning of each day, I would love to hear about it!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• tracket
• cell
• motor
• renewable
• sun
• green
• energy
• thingy
• DIY
• mechanics
• simple
• wotnot

[fonkdawg]

hi, I'm new to all this. I'm confused.  Could you tell me which part actually detects the sun, and how it knows when it is facing the sun directly? And attaching another what for inclination? And how, mechanically, the inclination would be acheived? Thanks

[mowerofdoom]

@fonkdawg The solar cells are wired to the motor in opposition to each other. When facing the sun, both cells receive the same amount of light and the resultant voltage seen by the motor is zero. When one cell receives more light, the cells' voltages no longer cancel each other out and it is the difference in voltage between the two cells that drives the motor. The motor runs until the cells' voltages balance again. Another identical setup would be used for inclination, except vertically. :-)

[RadiancePower]

i use little shadow creating sheilds for left and right cells then i have a rear facing cell with a small mirrored reflector . it drives left for sunrise and it drives left till light hits the left front cell and the left front cell drives till centered..once the left cell takes over the rear cell is shadowed..and just goes along for the ride till morning...peace

[mowerofdoom]

That is a very cool solution. Great stuff. Thanks. Geoff.

[theotherwhitemeat83]

Then, once it(and the panels) are facing west, and the sun goes down, it will activate. The dusk sensor will trip a relay to the motor, and cause it to rotate back all the way around to the east. A limit switch will kill the power to the motor. Then in the morning, the sun will turn off the dusk sensor before the panels start to move. Thus, a repeating cycle. Haven't tested it yet, but I'm thinking it just might work.

[mowerofdoom]

Thanks. Sounds like a good idea. The power for resetting could be held in a large low voltage capacitor (charged during the day) which might be enough for the reset movement. If we ever get any sun this spring I might try it!!!

[baccus61]

Hey. Could you just simply place a mirror on the side that will get the sun in the morning and shine it onto the solar cell that will track in that direction. Simple and may be effective.

[TheJimmax]

Neat! Think ill have a go at this. Thanks for posting.

[jekader]

cool, very ingenious!

[serger2010]

that just GREAT ! show it to us and dont explane how to build it THANKS!

[tongueboy500]

hi, nice design. could you tell me the rating of the motor you used? e.g. voltage, rpms, wattage etc.? many thanks!

[johnnnyreb51]

Thumbs down for lack of information in original posting. I wish people would included information along with the video howto / I make this thing. When they post. It seem odd for someone to post "I made this" and not tell others how it was done. I will say that when you post to YouTube or anywhere on the net, you open yourself up to critics both good and bad. But, more information is needed to make a good judgment.

[specallez]

I used this to drive my solar tracker great simple design . Thanks for sharing it :)

Have a look at my video response.

[shutinanxiety]

use a third cell in the back wired in the same direction as the cell adjacent to it. when the sun rises in the morning it will turn back around giving the two in the front the sun. i would imagine the third cell would still produce some voltage even facing away from the sun. the system would find balance "x" degrees clockwise from the sun (northern hemisphere) and whatever type of collector you're using would have to be adjusted to accommodate that before being mounted. you have a great design!!

[mrpowan10]

@captkirkconnell i think we're seeing the end of op-amps ;)

[THeScoobyNoob]

I like this!!