On the Design and Construction of a Dual Axis Solar Tracker Prototype for a Dish Concentrator using ATMega3298P Microcontroller

Abstract

The desire for reliable power supply is the reason for further research into alternative sources of power. Although solar tracking is not a new technology, yet solar harvesters still suffer low efficiency due to the intermittence of solar insolation. Thus many smart systems have been designed to maximise solar harvesters. Among the systems is the dual axis solar tracking system. For demonstration of the tracking system, a prototype was developed as a model for a conventional tracking system. It met its objective of tracking solar irradiance and accordingly re-orient the payload in real time to the point of maximum solar insolation. Testing and observation using the developed prototype gave evidence to the fact that solar trackers can increase the efficiency of solar harvesters. The results showed steady solar tracking for 6 h starting from 9:00 am-3:15 pm. The sensitivity of the sensors allow the system to track solar insolation as low as >5 lumen. The entire system was powered by 5 volts which made it energy efficient and can be run at low cost.