A Solar Power Sun Tracking System
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Abstract/Artist Statement
Three undergraduates engineering students combined computer, electrical and physics engineering disciplines to form a team to design and implement their senior project. In addition to constructing a solar power system, the ultimate goal of the project was to optimize the generated power. Hence, tracking the sun’s position utilizes the solar system to its fullest potential. The team transformed this idea into a sustainable design over a period of four months! A standard photovoltaic solar panel and two light sensors will rotate along one axis using a stepper motor. The optimal position of the solar panel is determined based on the difference in voltage of the light sensors. Accordingly, the solar panel will be positioned in the direction of the light sensor that detects the highest amount of light. A balance sensor will be used to obtain the angle of the solar panel. The generated power will be stored in a rechargeable battery and a microcontroller will be used to drive the motors and to analyze the light sensors’ output.
Location
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Start Date
1-5-2010 2:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2010 3:30 PM
A Solar Power Sun Tracking System
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Three undergraduates engineering students combined computer, electrical and physics engineering disciplines to form a team to design and implement their senior project. In addition to constructing a solar power system, the ultimate goal of the project was to optimize the generated power. Hence, tracking the sun’s position utilizes the solar system to its fullest potential. The team transformed this idea into a sustainable design over a period of four months! A standard photovoltaic solar panel and two light sensors will rotate along one axis using a stepper motor. The optimal position of the solar panel is determined based on the difference in voltage of the light sensors. Accordingly, the solar panel will be positioned in the direction of the light sensor that detects the highest amount of light. A balance sensor will be used to obtain the angle of the solar panel. The generated power will be stored in a rechargeable battery and a microcontroller will be used to drive the motors and to analyze the light sensors’ output.