Tracking the Sun for Solar Energy

Blake Coudriet

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Ballroom C/D

Start Date

15-5-2014

End Date

15-5-2014

Keywords

Solar, Arduino, Power

Abstract

This project represents the development process of a project. Using a dated tilting and panning camera mount, there was very little documentation regarding operation. Therefore, we had to use a variety of methods to make the mount operate. Once operation was achieved, we mounted a solar panel on the turret mount with the intention of tracking the sun. Using an Arduino processor, a code was written in C language to track the sun throughout the day and stay in the most efficient position for producing power. Data were collected from different positions in relation to the sun and the highest value was used to determine where the sun was in the sky. Running in a loop, the code causes the turret mount to periodically check where the sun to ensure that the panel is always exposed to solar energy. Built on a larger scale, this process can be used to make solar power generation on the residential level more efficient.

Poster Number

7

Faculty Mentor(s)

Holden, Lad

Additional Mentoring Department

Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction

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May 15th, 2:29 PM May 15th, 5:00 PM

Tracking the Sun for Solar Energy

SURC Ballroom C/D

This project represents the development process of a project. Using a dated tilting and panning camera mount, there was very little documentation regarding operation. Therefore, we had to use a variety of methods to make the mount operate. Once operation was achieved, we mounted a solar panel on the turret mount with the intention of tracking the sun. Using an Arduino processor, a code was written in C language to track the sun throughout the day and stay in the most efficient position for producing power. Data were collected from different positions in relation to the sun and the highest value was used to determine where the sun was in the sky. Running in a loop, the code causes the turret mount to periodically check where the sun to ensure that the panel is always exposed to solar energy. Built on a larger scale, this process can be used to make solar power generation on the residential level more efficient.