lachs1/solar-tracker

Arduino project

Solar Tracker Arduino Project

About

Me and three other students built a solar tracking machine as a school project. We designed and made everything by ourselves (3D-models etc.). This was first ever Arduino project for me and my group members. In the end we got it to work!

Operation

This machine turns its solar panel towards to the greatest source of light. It figures out the direction by measuring voltages across 4 different light dependent resistors (LDR). In the back Arduino calculates differences between these voltage values and turns first vertical axis and then horizontal. The machine turns vertical axis with a Servo-motor and the horizontal with a DC-motor. The machine can be switched on and off from a switch. The LCD screen shows the current voltage of the solar panel.

Unfortunately, the solar tracking machine needs external voltage source in order to work.

Circuit

Breadboard view of the projects electric circuit: Circuit is missing L9110S DC-Motor driver because it was not found in the Fritzing circuit software.

Components

Main system:

• 1 x Arduino Uno
• 1 x Solar Panel
• 4 x LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
• 1 x 16x2 LCD
• 1 x DC-Motor
• 1 x Servo
• 4 x 10kΩ Resistors
• 1 x 220Ω Resistor
• 1 x 10kΩ Potentiometer
• 1 x L9110S DC-motor driver
• 1 x basic switch
• 6 x 1.2V NiMH Rechargeable batteries
• Various 3D-Printed parts (models can be found in "OpenSCAD"-folder)

Voltage divider:

• 1 x 33kΩ Resistor
• 1 x 47kΩ Resistor

Conclusion

Me and my group members learned alot about electronics, programming, soldering, 3D-modeling and especially team-work. Even though no-one in our group had experience in electronics we managed to finish the project.