Automatic Sun Tracking System for Street light applications

By

M R Rahul Raj

Aim of the ProjectAim of the Project Implementation of the automatic street light application Implementation of the automatic street light application

by using solar panel using efficient power management by using solar panel using efficient power management concept.concept.

Solar energy is the most readily available source of Solar energy is the most readily available source of energy. It is free. It is also the most important of the energy. It is free. It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-polluting.polluting.

By using PSoC microcontroller we can control the By using PSoC microcontroller we can control the system to capture the maximum energy from sun light system to capture the maximum energy from sun light in day time.in day time.

Basic Principle of DesignBasic Principle of Design Solar photo voltaic (SPV). Can be used to generate electricity form the Solar photo voltaic (SPV). Can be used to generate electricity form the

sun.sun.

Silicon solar cells play an important role in generation of electricity. Silicon solar cells play an important role in generation of electricity.

While the output of solar cells depends on the intensity of sunlight and While the output of solar cells depends on the intensity of sunlight and the angle of incidence. The solar panels must remain in front of sun the angle of incidence. The solar panels must remain in front of sun during the whole day. during the whole day.

But due to rotation of earth those panels can’t maintain their position But due to rotation of earth those panels can’t maintain their position always in front of sun. This problem results in decrease of their always in front of sun. This problem results in decrease of their efficiency. efficiency.

Thus to get a constant output, we are implementing an automated Thus to get a constant output, we are implementing an automated system which should be capable to constantly rotate the solar panel.system which should be capable to constantly rotate the solar panel.

Existing MethodsExisting Methods Microcontroller based systems can be existing but they Microcontroller based systems can be existing but they

don’t have Automatic Sun Tracking System by getting the don’t have Automatic Sun Tracking System by getting the maximum power in the day time.maximum power in the day time.

By using the PSoC Microcontroller we are overcome the By using the PSoC Microcontroller we are overcome the above problem and make the system intelligently according above problem and make the system intelligently according to our requirements with a less complexity .to our requirements with a less complexity .

Proposed SolutionProposed Solution Using PSoC microcontroller we can implement the intelligent Using PSoC microcontroller we can implement the intelligent

system.system.

The unique feature of this system is that instead of taking the earth The unique feature of this system is that instead of taking the earth as its reference, it takes the sun as a guiding source. By using RTC as its reference, it takes the sun as a guiding source. By using RTC constantly monitor the sunlight and rotate the panel towards the constantly monitor the sunlight and rotate the panel towards the direction where the intensity of sunlight is maximum.direction where the intensity of sunlight is maximum.

The hardware complexity is also simple and we can reduce cost The hardware complexity is also simple and we can reduce cost

SpecificationsSpecifications PSoC CY8C29466 24PXI Powerful Harvard PSoC CY8C29466 24PXI Powerful Harvard

Architecture Processor and M8C Processor Speeds Architecture Processor and M8C Processor Speeds to 24 MHzto 24 MHz

In-System Serial Programming (ISSP)In-System Serial Programming (ISSP) Low Power at High SpeedLow Power at High Speed 3.0V to 5.25V Operating Voltage.3.0V to 5.25V Operating Voltage. Solar Panel Specifications:Solar Panel Specifications:

5 watts power5 watts power 16 V output voltage 16 V output voltage 300 mA current300 mA current

Automatic Sun Tracking SystemAutomatic Sun Tracking System using PSoCusing PSoC

Basic Block Diagram

PSoC

Mechanicalarrangement

Geared motor Driver

LCD DisplayRTC

Solar PanelBattery

+5 V

Light Sensor

Voltage sensor

Sensor unit

TOOLSTOOLS

Hardware ToolsHardware Tools

PSoC Microcontroller unitPSoC Microcontroller unit

Solar panelSolar panel

Geared motorGeared motor

Mechanical item to drive the solar panelsMechanical item to drive the solar panels

LCD Display.LCD Display.

Software ToolsSoftware Tools

PSOC Designer IDE for PSoC microcontroller PSOC Designer IDE for PSoC microcontroller Programming.Programming.

PSoC Mixed-Signal Array PSoC Mixed-Signal Array MicrocontrollerMicrocontroller

The PSoC Mixed-Signal Array microcontroller are The PSoC Mixed-Signal Array microcontroller are designed to replace multiple traditional MCU-based designed to replace multiple traditional MCU-based system components with one, low cost single-chip system components with one, low cost single-chip programmable device.programmable device.

PSoC devices include configurable blocks of analog PSoC devices include configurable blocks of analog and digital logic, as well as programmable and digital logic, as well as programmable interconnects. interconnects.

The basic function of PSoC Microcontroller is read The basic function of PSoC Microcontroller is read the time from RTC according to that time it set the the time from RTC according to that time it set the angle of the solar panel.angle of the solar panel.

To that it can drive the steeper motor according to To that it can drive the steeper motor according to where the maximum energy we are getting Also where the maximum energy we are getting Also send the data for displaying purpose to LCDsend the data for displaying purpose to LCD

PSoC= Programmable System-on-Chip

Solar PanelSolar Panel Solar photo voltaic (SPV). Can be used to generate electricity form Solar photo voltaic (SPV). Can be used to generate electricity form

the sun.the sun. Silicon solar cells play an important role in generation of electricity.Silicon solar cells play an important role in generation of electricity. Solar cells Characteristics.Solar cells Characteristics.

Isc-short circuit current.Isc-short circuit current. Voc-open circuit voltage.Voc-open circuit voltage. Peak power.Peak power.

Isc

How solar cells Generate electricityHow solar cells Generate electricity

From Cells to ModulesFrom Cells to Modules The open circuit voltage of a single The open circuit voltage of a single

solar cell is approx 0.5V.solar cell is approx 0.5V.

Much higher voltage is required for Much higher voltage is required for practical application.practical application.

Solar cells are connected in series to Solar cells are connected in series to increase its open circuit voltage.increase its open circuit voltage.

RTC (Real Time Clock )RTC (Real Time Clock ) Real time clock counts seconds, minutes, hours, date Real time clock counts seconds, minutes, hours, date

of the month, month, day of the week, and year with of the month, month, day of the week, and year with leap year compensation valid up to 2100leap year compensation valid up to 2100

Consumes less than 500nA in battery backup mode Consumes less than 500nA in battery backup mode with oscillator runningwith oscillator running

The date and time collected PSoC Microcontroller The date and time collected PSoC Microcontroller using 2-wire serial interface (I2C Protocol) for using 2-wire serial interface (I2C Protocol) for attendance purpose.attendance purpose.

LCD DisplayLCD Display

This module used for display the present status of This module used for display the present status of the system.the system.

This is interface to 4 bit mode with PSoC This is interface to 4 bit mode with PSoC microcontrollermicrocontroller

Applications Applications

Street light applications with out using Street light applications with out using normal power supplies.normal power supplies.

In Remote areas implementing a small In Remote areas implementing a small power systems units at each home.power systems units at each home.

Using this system to getting hot waterUsing this system to getting hot water

AdvantagesAdvantages The advantage of this unit is that to run the system The advantage of this unit is that to run the system

it does not need computer it does not need computer Solar cells directly convert the solar radiation into Solar cells directly convert the solar radiation into

electricity using photovoltaic effect without going electricity using photovoltaic effect without going through a thermal process.through a thermal process.

During the winter the sun has a low position , During the winter the sun has a low position , tracking angle from sunrise to sunset is shortened.tracking angle from sunrise to sunset is shortened.

The plant will not driven up to the final position The plant will not driven up to the final position but just to that position at which really sets, but just to that position at which really sets, therefore saving of power.therefore saving of power.

Depending on the radiation intensity, it may sinks Depending on the radiation intensity, it may sinks under a predefined value for instance at dusk , under a predefined value for instance at dusk , when the sky is cloudy, tracking is interrupted.when the sky is cloudy, tracking is interrupted.

LimitationsLimitations Using this system at a time we can controls only Using this system at a time we can controls only

one solar panel.one solar panel.

Higher hardware expenditureHigher hardware expenditure

Thank YouThank You