Experimental Study On Automatic Solar Tracking Of Pv Panels Using Mechatronics Systems

Abstract

Solar Tracking Systems Can Greatly Enhance The PV Energy Collection Efficiency, But Fixed Panel Positioning And Ambient Thermal Stress Can Decrease The Total PV Energy Conversion Efficiency. In This Paper, A Dual Axis Solar Tracking And Active Performance Monitoring System Using IoT Technology Is Designed And Implemented To Capture Maximum Solar Energy While Ensuring Safe Operation Of The System. The Proposed System Utilizes Light Dependent Resistors To Detect The Peak Solar Irradiance And Activates DC And Servo Motors With Help Of An L293D Driver For Maximizing The Alignment Angle Of The Solar Panels. The Arduino Uno Is Used To Acquire The Local Data From The Sensors Such As Output Voltage, Ambient Temperature And Humidity, From A DHT11 Sensor. The CPU Fan And A CPU AC Water Pump Are Integrated And Automatically Powered On When Abnormal Thermal Thresholds Are Breached, Thus Minimizing Efficiency Loss Due To These Conditions. A Real-time Diagnostic Data Is Continuously Uploaded To An IoT Cloud-based Platform Through The NodeMCU Module For Remote Monitoring And Analysis, And A Local I2C LCD Display And A Battery Backed Power Unit Is Included. Experimental Results Show Better Tracking Accuracy, Effective Thermal Management, And Satisfactory Remote Data Transmission, Which Makes The Proposed System Scalable For The Smart Grid And Renewable Energy Applications.

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