Dual Axis Solar Tracker

This dual axis solar tracker uses LDR sensors and servo motors to keep the solar panels at a 90 degrees angle to the sun constantly.

Project Story

What I made
This solar tracker is designed by combining LDR sensors and servo motors. The microcontroller processes the information and tells the LDRs and the system to move. The solar panel is kept at a constant 90 degrees angle to the sun which maximises power generation efficiency.

Why I made it
Unlike regular solar panels, the dual axis system allows the panel to move in north to south and east to west direction while keeping the panel perpendicular to the sun constantly. A regular solar receives direct sunlight only at noon and reduces its efficiency by up to 50% im the morning and evening. While this tracker maximizes efficiency by 25-50% and reduces cost.

What I learned
Skills: Used python and c++ in real life Applied physics concepts to a real problem Understood Wiring configuration and mechanism. Challenges I faced: The horizontal and vertical servos kept lagging. The wiring was confusing and required patience and time. How I overcame them and Final Result: The vertical servo works perfectly but the horizontal servo lags sometimes but everything else now works perfectly.

Materials & Components

- Arduino Uno R3 - Jumper Wires - Breadboard - Two Servo Motors - Four LDR sensors - Cardboard - A 7 or 9 V battery and power adapter

How to Make It

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1. Run a simulation on tinker cad and see if the coding and wiring works perfectly.
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2. Cut the cardboards into three rectangular shapes and one square. Complete the wiring of jumper wires on the breadboard.
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3. Attach the vertical servo to the square cardboard since that is the panel. Assemble the LDRs and the horizontal servo at the base of the cardboard.
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4. Upload the code using Arduino IDE on the arduino.