"Build an Arduino Solar Tracker System Using Arduino Uno

How to Build an Arduino Solar Tracker

Do you want to make the most out of your solar energy? One way to maximize the effectiveness of your solar panels is with an Arduino solar tracker. With this DIY project, you can build a tracking system to enable your solar panels to rotate and follow the sun’s path across the sky. Here’s how you can build your own Arduino solar tracker.

What You’ll Need

• Arduino Uno or equivalent
• Servo motor
• LDR
• A breadboard
• Breadboard jumper wires
• LabELS 10k resistor
• USB cable
• 5V power supply

Step 1: Assemble the Circuit

Start by assembling the circuit for your Arduino solar tracker. Connect the servo to the breadboard, and then connect the power pin from the servo to the 5V rail on the breadboard. Next attach the LDR to the breadboard, and then connect one end to the ground rail and the other end to the analog pin A0 on the Arduino board. Finally, connect the 10k resistor to the 5V rail on the breadboard and attach the other end to the analog pin A0 on the Arduino board.

Step 2: Program the Arduino Board

Now it’s time to program the Arduino board. Download the code from this repository and upload it to the board. This code will read the light intensity from the LDR and move the servo motor in response. Once you’ve uploaded the code, you’ll be ready to start using your Arduino solar tracker.

Step 3: Start Tracking

Now that your Arduino solar tracker is assembled and programmed, you’re ready to start capturing the sun’s rays. Place the Arduino board in an open window and point the LDR towards the sun. The servo will now begin tracking the sun’s movement. Depending on the size of your solar panel, the tracking rate may need to be adjusted, which can be done easily in the code.

Step 4: Collect Data

If you wish to collect data, the Arduino board can be used to measure the intensity of light and store this information in a spreadsheet. To do this, simply modify the code to include the requisite commands. You can then use the data to optimize the position of your solar panel.

Here is a sample Arduino code for building a solar tracker system using Arduino Uno:

#include <Servo.h> // Include the Servo library

Servo servo; // Create a Servo object

int photoresistorPin = A0; // Set the pin number to which the photoresistor is connected
int servoPin = 9; // Set the pin number to which the servo is connected
int servoPosition = 0; // Set the initial position of the servo

void setup() {
  pinMode(photoresistorPin, INPUT); // Set the photoresistor pin as an input
  servo.attach(servoPin); // Attach the servo to the designated pin
  servo.write(servoPosition); // Set the initial position of the servo
}

void loop() {
  int lightLevel = analogRead(photoresistorPin); // Read the light level from the photoresistor
  int targetPosition = map(lightLevel, 0, 1023, 0, 180); // Map the light level to a servo position between 0 and 180 degrees
  servoPosition = targetPosition; // Set the new position of the servo

  servo.write(servoPosition); // Move the servo to the new position
  delay(10); // Wait for the servo to move
}

Conclusion

This code uses a photoresistor to measure the light level and a servo motor to track the sun. The servo motor is connected to pin 9 of the Arduino, and the photoresistor is connected to analog input pin A0.

In the setup() function, the code sets the photoresistor pin as an input, attaches the servo to the designated pin, and sets the initial position of the servo to 0 degrees.

In the loop() function, the code reads the light level from the photoresistor using the analogRead() function. The map() function is used to map the light level to a servo position between 0 and 180 degrees.

The code sets the new position of the servo to the mapped position and uses the servo.write() function to move the servo to the new position. The delay() function is used to wait for the servo to move.

Note that this code assumes that the solar tracker system is set up so that the photoresistor is positioned to receive sunlight and the servo motor is attached to the solar panel or mirror to track the sun's movement. The map() function may need to be adjusted depending on the specifics of the solar tracker system. Additionally, a more sophisticated solar tracker system may require additional sensors and calculations to accurately track the sun's movement.

An Arduino solar tracker is a great DIY project that can help you maximize the efficiency of your solar panel. With the right components and a bit of programming know-how, you can build an Arduino solar tracker that follows the sun's path across the sky. We hope this guide has been helpful in getting you started!