The Development of Smart Solar Tracker (SST) and Charging System by Using Microcontroller

Abstract

Solar energy, which is a free energy source, plays an important role in the energy industry. Very good to use and available at all times in Malaysia ,it is also environmentally friendly and sustainable to meet the energy needs of mankind. Use of other fuels such as no renewable fossil fuels has many side effects. Combustion products can produce air pollution, acid rain, global warming and also the world’s fuel reserves are decreasing. Solar energy is one of important renewable energy source for usage by humankind. However, the efficiency of the solar energy collector can be further improved if it can be tracked by the collector so that photon energy incident on the collector surface is at its maximum. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to Develop Smart Solar Tracker (SST) and Charging System by using Microcontroller. This project will improve the previously constructed projects in terms of how to improve the efficiency of solar tracker and control system to be utilized in this country. A solar tracker system is a combination of design consisting of sensors and stepper motor to mechanically track the sun. This system automatically moves toward the actual position of the sun is used by light sensors as an inputs. By tracking the sun's actual position will increases solar panel efficiency due to the high solar energy absorption which can be stored into the battery. Inaccurate detection of the sun, the panel changing position will interfere with the absorption of solar energy during charging. These will results in a waste of time, energy and costs. To charge the battery will take a long time, solar energy will only be wasted and solar tracker construction cost is also high. When the battery fully charged, the system will automatically cut off. The project will be operated by using their own power supply from the battery that was in charge itself without the use of other power such as electricity. The smart solar tracker and charging system in this project has been successfully design, fabricated and tested.