Design And Construction Of An Automatic Solar Tracking System

ABSTRACT

Electricity is one of the basic needs of life. Emission of harmful gases during the process of electricity generation leads to greenhouse affects. However, by employing photovoltaic (PV) panels, electricity can be generated without creating air, noise and water pollution caused by the emission of harmful gases. Geographically, Nigeria is located in a region of the world where solar irradiance is approximately 2000 KWh/m2. In recent decades, grid-connected PV power plants have been implemented worldwide to fulfill the power requirements. Usually, these power plants are mounted fixed. However, with advancement in technology solar trackers have increased the yield.

A solar tracking system is a specific device intended to move the PV modules in such a way that they continuously face the sun with the aim of maximizing the irradiation received by the PV array. A solar tracking system is composed of three well-differentiated components: the mechanism, the driving motors, and the tracking controller.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• AIM OF THE PROJECT
• OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
• PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
• SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
• BENEFIT OF THE PROJECT
• PROBLEM OF THE PROJECT
• APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT
• PROJECT ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• BACKGROUND LITERATURE SURVEY OF THE STUDY
• OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
• THEORETICAL FUNDAMENTALS
• COMPONENTS OF SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEMS
• REVIEW OF THE PAST WORK ON SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM
• SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING

CHAPTER THREE

3.0     CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY

3.1      SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

3.2      DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM BLOCK

3.3      CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

3.4      SYSTEM OPERATION

3.5      DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR COMPONENTS USED

CHAPTER FOUR

TEST AND RESULT ANALYSIS

• CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE
• CASING AND PACKAGING
• ASSEMBLING OF SECTION
• PACKAGING
• TESTING ANALYSIS
• RESULT
• COST ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION
• RECOMMENDATION
• REFERENCES

 CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION

1.1                                         BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Solar energy is an everlasting resource [1] for tomorrow because it is free, practically inexhaustible, and involves no polluting residues or greenhouse gases emission [2]. Photovoltaic (PV) solar cell directly converts sunlight to electricity. A solar system with 10% efficiency covering 0.16% of earth would provide 20TW (Terawatt) energy, about twice the world consumption rate of fossils energy [3, 4].

Recently, all over the world the energy demand has greatly increases. Meanwhile the resources of fossil fuels are depleting with the passage of time.

The world’s demand for energy will be almost triple in the forthcoming three decades [5]. This situation appeals the research community to pay attention toward renewable energy system. To and sufficient pollution free energy resources for future is one of the great challenges for society. Research in the field of renewable energy can solve this problem. Energy generated from natural renewable resources such as wind, waves, tides, solar radiation etc. are termed as renewable energy.

Photovoltaic energy is one of the mature technologies amongst all renewable sources. To harvest solar energy, solar tracker is used which keeps panel normal to the sun radiations in sunrise hours therefore, more energy could be collected. One of the main objectives of this study is the investigation of solar tracking system and its various types, i.e., single and dual axis and their techniques along with open and closed loop system used in solar trackers. This study also discusses the implementation of tracking system in PV power plants and its effectiveness on the yield gain.

An automated system (in which solar panels are mounted), tracks sun’s position accurately in order to maximize the power yield. Everyday sun rises in the east and move across the horizon toward west (solar azimuth angle) yield of sunflowers rotate according to the sun motion (east to west) throughout a sunny day such that each leaf seek maximum light heliotropism, a clever bit of natural engineering [1, 2].

Sun changes its position throughout the days, years and seasons. To increase the energy production from PV panels, it is necessary to rotate the PV panels accordingly. It can be realized that more power will be generated it PV panel is exposed (for more time) towards the sun, so they can harness more sunlight.

1.2                                                  PROBLEM STATEMENT

Generally, solar panels are stationary and do not follow the movement of the sun. Because of this disadvantage of solar panel – it can only work efficiently only if the presence of the Sun is strong and we all know that the incident of sunlight changes or moves with the time of the day. solar tracker system is used to tracks the sun’s movement across the sky and tries to maintain the solar panel perpendicular to the sun’s rays, ensuring that the maximum amount of sunlight is incident on the panel throughout the day.

1.3                                             OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The main objective of the project is to position a solar panel according to the motion of the sun so that it can produce maximum power. This project uses solar panels, mechanism and Stepper motor in finding the position of the sun.

1.4                                              PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of this work is to build a device that when sun is high up in the sky, the tracking system must follow its position. An active control can help achieve this purpose by using time movements. The system need to be automatic thus making it simple and easy to use. The operator interference need to be negligible and must be restricted.

1.5                                         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Adding solar trackers to a solar panel array are very important and a very good idea. These solar trackers actually increase the time a panel may face the sun which helps them produce power more effectively. We have used the concept of using time to track the sun, and not the device which could sense the presence of sun and move the panel in that particular direction.

1.6                                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Solar tracking system has always proved to be an effective way to generate more energy because it helps the solar panel remain exactly in front of the solar rays. The concept behind these researches is that it is a fact that the sun keep on moving across the sky, the whole day long therefore it’s a good idea to track its location so that the solar panel can remain exactly in front of it absorbing more power. By applying this concept tracking systems were designed which help increase the amount of energy a solar panel may accumulate. Solar panel is connecting with servo motor. Servo motor is interface with servo motor controller.

• BENEFIT OF THE PROJECT

1. Trackers generate more electricity than their stationary counterparts due to increased direct exposure to solar rays. This increase can be as much as 10 to 25% depending on the geographic location of the tracking system.
2. There are many different kinds of solar trackers, such as single-axis and dual-axis trackers, all of which can be the perfect fit for a unique jobsite. Installation size, local weather, degree of latitude and electrical requirements are all important considerations that can influence the type of solar tracker best suited for a specific solar installation.

• Solar trackers generate more electricity in roughly the same amount of space needed for fixed-tilt systems, making them ideal for optimizing land usage.

1. In certain states, some utilities offer Time of Use (TOU) rate plans for solar power, which means the utility will purchase the power generated during the peak time of the day at a higher rate. In this case, it is beneficial to generate a greater amount of electricity during these peak times of the day. Using a tracking system helps maximize the energy gains during these peak time periods.
2. Advancements in technology and reliability in electronics and mechanics have drastically reduced long-term maintenance concerns for tracking systems.
   • PROBLEM OF THE PROJECT
3. Solar trackers are slightly more expensive than their stationary counterparts, due to the more complex technology and moving parts necessary for their operation.

• Even with the advancements in reliability, there is generally more maintenance required than a traditional fixed rack, though the quality of the solar tracker can play a role in how much and how often this maintenance is needed.
• Trackers are a more complex system than fixed racking. This means that typically more site preparation is needed, including additional trenching for wiring and some additional grading.
• Single-axis tracker projects also require an additional focus on company stability and bank ability. When it comes to getting projects financed, these systems are more complex and thus are seen as a higher risk from a financier’s viewpoint.
• Solar trackers are generally designed for climates with little to no snow making them a more viable solution in warmer climates. Fixed racking accommodates harsher environmental conditions more easily than tracking systems.

1.9                                         APPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT

1. These panels can be used to power the traffic lights and streetlights
2. These can be used in home to power the appliances using solar power.
3. These can be used in industries as more energy can be saved by rotating the panel.

1.10                                      PROJECT WORK ORGANIZATION

The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:

Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to this study. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective, purpose, problem and benefit of this study were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of this study. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.