Design and Implementation of Biaxial Solar Tracking System on Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Hei, Min Li (2019) Design and Implementation of Biaxial Solar Tracking System on Unmanned Ground Vehicle. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The design of dual axis tracking system in small unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is proposed. The size of prototype is about 23 * 16 * 31cm (long* width * height). The UGV that is able to carry solar panel can move linearly to avoid the shadow and detects the sun light automatically. The energy capture by UGV will be used to charge the power bank that connects to it. This paper had simulated the interaction between designed model and environment condition. Different control algorithm includes controlling the rotational angle, servo angle and decision of avoiding shadow are tested in the simulation. Base on the result, the final design is comparing LDRs of region left and right together using summation for controlling the rotational angle. Besides, to control the servo angle, a combination of ‘if else’ statement with rotating angle is used and the LDRs value in region up and down is summing up before compare. By comparing the normal of PV plane with vector of sunlight, there is 52% of average improvement in incident angle from 9am to 6pm along the year. Besides, the solar power received by biaxial tracking PV panel is increases about 18% of average power gain by fixed model along the year in the simulation.