Summary of SUNTRACKER OPTIMIZES SOLAR PANELS WHILE VISUALIZING SUN’S PATH
This project details a solar tracker prototype designed to optimize panel positioning by tracking the Sun's azimuth angle. Built for the Hackaday Prize, it uses a real-time clock and pre-determined solar data stored on an SD card to visualize the Sun's path via 32 LEDs. A magnetometer detects North while adjusting for magnetic declination. A central stepper motor drives an arrow pointing at the simulated Sun, shifting all indicators as the device moves to validate theories and serve as a learning platform.
Parts used in the Solar Tracker Prototype:
- Ring of 32 red/green LEDs
- Real-time clock
- SD card with pre-determined solar positions
- Two red LEDs for sunrise and sunset angles
- One LED indicating North
- Magnetometer
- Stepper motor
- Arrow indicator
If you have solar panels, you want soak up as much sunshine as you can to get your money’s worth. If you don’t have space for a lot of panels, the next best thing is repositioning the panels to catch the most rays. For his entry into the Hackaday Prize, [Frank] built a gorgeous solar tracker prototype to both validate his theories and to serve as a learning platform.
A solar tracker’s purpose is — you guessed it — tracking the Sun’s location to determine optimal positioning for solar panels and other sun-seeking payloads. In the latest revision, [Frank]’s tracker follows the Sun’s azimuth angle, aka its horizontal movement.
The Sun’s path is represented along a ring of 32 red/green LEDs. It moves around the ring as a green LED, according to a real-time clock and a set of pre-determined solar positions stored on an SD card.
Two red LEDs show the sunrise and sunset azimuth angles, and a third LED indicates North as detected with a magnetometer and adjusted for local magnetic declination. In the center of the ring, a stepper motor drives an arrow that always points at the Sun LED. As the tracker is moved around, all the LEDs shift around the ring to follow their targets.
Though it already shines, we think this ongoing project has a bright future. Be sure to check out the demo video after the break.
Source: SUNTRACKER OPTIMIZES SOLAR PANELS WHILE VISUALIZING SUN’S PATH
- What is the primary purpose of this solar tracker?
To track the Sun’s location to determine optimal positioning for solar panels. - How does the tracker represent the Sun’s path?
It uses a ring of 32 red/green LEDs where a green LED moves according to real-time data. - Where are the pre-determined solar positions stored?
The positions are stored on an SD card accessed by the system. - Which components indicate sunrise and sunset?
Two red LEDs show the sunrise and sunset azimuth angles. - How is North detected and adjusted?
A magnetometer detects North and adjusts for local magnetic declination. - What drives the arrow that points at the Sun?
A stepper motor located in the center of the ring drives the arrow. - Can the LEDs shift if the tracker is moved?
Yes, as the tracker is moved around, all the LEDs shift around the ring to follow their targets.
