By Lincoln
Have you ever witnessed the way that your solar panels appear to lose their punch toward the end of the afternoon? The majority of individuals fix their panels at one specific position and normally facing south and wishing to get the best. Although this is true, it fails to tap into a huge potential energy. The sun is a moving object, and a fixed panel receives his full effect, but a few hours a day only. With the construction of a Solar Tracker, you will be assured that your panels will be facing the sun throughout the sunrise and sunset. In this tutorial, we shall dissect the mechanics, the advantages and how to step through the steps of developing a system that adheres to the light.
The Science of Solar Tracking
The idea of solar tracking lies in the field of basic geometry. The maximum electricity is produced by the solar panel when there is a 90 degrees angle between the sun rays and the panel. This is referred to as the angle of incidence. The angle varies as the sun moves over the sky. A fixed system makes the rays to hit the panel at an oblique angle thus losing a lot of the energy. A tracking system is the solution to this and the panel is tilted during the day.
Reasons why you should have a Solar panel tracking system at home
You may be asking yourself whether it is worth the additional effort of constructing a motorized mount. The data indicates that a tracking system of solar panel tracking system is capable of boosting energy output by a quarter to half as compared to a static one. It is a game-changer to individuals with small roof space or people in a higher latitude where the sun path is lower. You are not purchasing additional panels to achieve additional power, but you are just overworking your current equipment. In addition to the efficiency, by constructing your own system you will have the ability to learn about the mechanics of renewable energy on a grain by grain level. It transforms a passive appliance into an active intelligent technology. Also, the price of the parts such as motors and sensors has fallen extensively and this is a cheap weekend project.
The Basics of your DIY Build
In order to begin, you will have to have several basic components. First is the controller which is the brain. The most popular is an Arduino or a like microcontroller since it is easy to program. Second, you require the eyes of the system, i.e. Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs). Such sensors measure the intensity of light. The controller is able to compare the light levels by mounting two LDRs on both sides of a tiny divider. When one of the sides is brighter than the other, the controller realizes that the sun has changed position. Third, you must have the “muscles” typically a linear actuator or a high-torque servo motor. These elements act to move the physical frame of the panel. Lastly, you should have a strong frame either of aluminum or treated wood, which can withstand the wind and weather besides the panel weight.
The Mechanical Frame.–Mechanical Frame-Design
The frame is the most important component of the physical structure since it has to be fluid and robust. You would like to have a well-balanced pivot point. In case the panel is perfectly balanced on its axis, the motor does not need to work as hard, which saves on energy and eliminates wear and tear. The pivot should be used with ball bearings so that it turns easily. When constructing a system on the ground ensure that the foundation is set firmly in the ground or that it is clayed with concrete. Wind may actually behave like a sail on a solar panel and unless you have a solid base, your tracker may be blown over in a storm.
Wiring the Logic and Programming it
After making the frame, the next thing to do is to wire the electronics. The LDRs can be typically wired in a voltage divider circuit. These sensors read the analog values according to the Arduino. The code is quite simple: when sensor A exceeds sensor B by some specific threshold, then move the motor to the left. In case sensor B is higher, move to the right. Your code should also contain a dead zone. This eliminates the rocking and rolling of the motor every few seconds in case the brightness levels are almost similar. It is also important to program a “reset” function to bring the panel back to the east after sunset so that it is set up again in the morning.
Weather and Longevity Optimising
As this device is kept outside they are most protected. Keep your Arduino and motor drivers in waterproof cases. Paint any plastic that is exposed with UV-resistant material. The other high-tech trick is to have a wind sensor. In case the wind becomes excessive the controller may be programmed to allow horizontal stowing of the panel so that it is not exposed to the wind as much. This is also important in terms of maintaining frequently. Friction on the pivot points should be checked every few months and also make sure that the LDR sensors are clean. Any sensor can be fooled by dust or bird droppings into thinking that it is cloudy, leaving the panel without the sun.
Actual World Performance Benefits
Practically, it is felt as soon as everything is different. On a fixed system, you tend to observe a bell shaped curve of energy production, with a peak at noon and hardly any at the morning or the evening. A curve of that kind flattens out with a tracker. You have high production at a much earlier time in the morning and a much later time in the evening. This steady power supply is particularly useful when you need to power the appliances on during the day or when you need to charge a battery bank in a hurry.
Conclusion
One of the most satisfying DIY projects that can be undertaken by any individual who is interested in green energy is the construction of a solar tracking system. It is a combination of mechanical engineering, electronics, and software into one effective tool that will pay-off in the long-run. You get the benefit of the most out of your solar investment by leaving the stationary mounts and moving on to active tracking. Having the right materials and a little bit of patience, it is possible to make your backyard a high-tech power station.
