Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System Using Arduino

Project Overview

This project is a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System that optimizes solar energy capture by dynamically adjusting the position of a solar panel using servo motors and light-dependent resistors (LDRs). The system also monitors battery charging status and displays real-time voltage and battery percentage on an I2C LCD display.

Features

✔️ Dual-Axis Solar Tracking: Uses LDRs to detect sunlight direction and adjust the panel accordingly.
✔️ Battery Monitoring System: Displays real-time voltage and battery percentage.
✔️ LED Status Indicators:

• Charging LED (ON when charging)
• Tracking LED (ON when panel is adjusting)
• Full-Charge LED (ON when battery is fully charged)
  ✔️ Buzzer Alert: Signals when the battery is fully charged.
  ✔️ Efficient Power Management: Ensures optimal use of solar energy.

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Hardware Requirements

• Arduino Uno
• 4 x Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs)
• 2 x Servo Motors (for dual-axis control)
• 16x2 I2C LCD Display
• 3.7V Li-Ion Battery
• Voltage Sensor
• Buzzer
• 3 LEDs (Charging, Tracking, Full Charge)
• Resistors and Connecting Wires

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Software Requirements

• Arduino IDE
• Libraries Used:
  • Servo.h (for motor control)
  • Wire.h (for I2C communication)
  • LiquidCrystal_I2C.h (for LCD display)

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Circuit Diagram

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Installation & Usage

1️⃣ Install Arduino IDE from official website.
2️⃣ Install Required Libraries via Arduino Library Manager.
3️⃣ Connect the Components as per the circuit diagram.
4️⃣ Upload the Code to Arduino Uno.
5️⃣ Observe the LCD Display and LED indicators for real-time tracking and battery status.

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Code

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <Servo.h>

Servo horizontal;
int servohori = 180; 
int servohoriLimitHigh = 175;
int servohoriLimitLow = 5;

Servo vertical;
int servovert = 45; 
int servovertLimitHigh = 120;
int servovertLimitLow = 1;

int ldrlt = A0;
int ldrrt = A3;
int ldrld = A1;
int ldrrd = A2;

const int voltageSensorPin = 8;

float adc_voltage = 0.0;
float in_voltage = 0.0;

float R1 = 30000.0;
float R2 = 7500.0; 

float ref_voltage = 5.0;

int adc_value = 0;

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

const float minVoltage = 3.0;
const float maxVoltage = 4.2;

int batteryPercentage;

const int LED_Charging = 4;
const int LED_Tracking = 5;
const int LED_FullCharge = 6;
const int Buzzer = 7;

void setup() {
  lcd.init();
  lcd.backlight();
  lcd.clear();

  pinMode(LED_Charging, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED_Tracking, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED_FullCharge, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Buzzer, OUTPUT);

  horizontal.attach(9);
  vertical.attach(10);
  horizontal.write(180);
  vertical.write(45);
  delay(500);

  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Solar Tracking");

  adc_value = analogRead(voltageSensorPin);
  adc_voltage  = (adc_value * ref_voltage) / 1024.0;
  in_voltage = adc_voltage*(R1+R2)/R2;
  batteryPercentage = map(in_voltage * 1000, minVoltage * 1000, maxVoltage * 1000, 0, 100);

  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("V:");
  lcd.print(in_voltage, 1);
  lcd.print("V   ");
  lcd.print("B:");
  lcd.print(batteryPercentage);

  if (batteryPercentage > 100) {
    digitalWrite(LED_FullCharge, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(LED_Charging, LOW);
    digitalWrite(LED_Tracking, HIGH);
  } 
  else if (batteryPercentage < 100){
    digitalWrite(LED_Charging, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(LED_FullCharge, LOW);
    digitalWrite(LED_Tracking, HIGH);
    noTone(Buzzer);
  }
  else {
    digitalWrite(LED_Tracking, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(LED_Charging, LOW);
    digitalWrite(LED_FullCharge, LOW);
    noTone(Buzzer);
  }

  int lt = analogRead(ldrlt);
  int rt = analogRead(ldrrt);
  int ld = analogRead(ldrld);
  int rd = analogRead(ldrrd);

  int dtime = 1; 
  int tol = 90;

  int avt = (lt + rt) / 2;
  int avd = (ld + rd) / 2;
  int avl = (lt + ld) / 2;
  int avr = (rt + rd) / 2;

  int dvert = avt - avd;
  int dhoriz = avl - avr;

  if (abs(dvert) > tol) { 
    if (avt > avd) {
      servovert = ++servovert;
      if (servovert > servovertLimitHigh) servovert = servovertLimitHigh;
    } else {
      servovert = --servovert;
      if (servovert < servovertLimitLow) servovert = servovertLimitLow;
    }
    vertical.write(servovert);
  }

  if (abs(dhoriz) > tol) { 
    if (avl > avr) {
      servohori = --servohori;
      if (servohori < servohoriLimitLow) servohori = servohoriLimitLow;
    } else {
      servohori = ++servohori;
      if (servohori > servohoriLimitHigh) servohori = servohoriLimitHigh;
    }
    horizontal.write(servohori);
  }

  delay(dtime);
}

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Project Demonstration

Google Drive Link for video demonstration: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1G3n3rvxma3F90vM00QJjmqxbYikTeg4V?usp=sharing

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Future Enhancements

🔹 Improve Efficiency with advanced MPPT algorithms.
🔹 Expand for Large-Scale Solar Panels.

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Contributors

• Md Tasmim Al Tahsin
• Md Mansur Islam
• Tonima Islam Dristy
• Intesar Ahmed Siyan
• Rumaiya Islam

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License – feel free to use and modify it!

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