Development of two axis solar tracking using five photodiodes

Abstract

Utilization solar panels to generate electricity were increased all over the world including Indonesia. Generally, solar panels mounted on permanent structure which the angle of sunlight direction are fixed. This installation method will reduce the efficiency of electrical energy generated by solar panels due the angle of sun direction changes every time. There are needs equipment that used to steer solar panels toward the sun, namely solar tracking. In this study, we proposed development a prototype of two-axis solar tracking using five photodiodes. Overall, solar tracking system consists of two DC motors, five photodiodes, microcontroller system, and mechanical structure. DC motors are used to driving toward azimuth and elevation, photodiode act as sun-sensor functioned to measure the angle of sunlight direction, microcontroller system functioned to process data and give signal to DC motors. The five photodiodes usage are intended to reduce the cost purchasing of sun-sensor which relatively expensive on the market. Solar tracking prototype has been tested using artificial light with an intensity is closer to the sunlight. Experiment result has shown that this solar tracking is able work very well and can follow the sun movement.