working principle of the tracker

Figure shown here is the tracking device in out prototype. It is the one which follows the sun’s movement through out the day and provides uninterrupted reflection to the solar panel.
The sun rays will fall on the solar panel in two ways, which is, they will fall directly on the solar panel and also the reflector will reflect the incident rays on the solar panel.
Suppose at the time of sun rise the sun is in extreme east the reflector will align itself in some position by which the incident rays will fall on the solar panel. Now when the earth rotates and the sun gets shifted form its earlier position the reflection of the incident rays will also change. Thus as a result the light will fall on the sensors kept on each side of the solar panel. The tracking circuit is so designed that when reflection falls on say the sensor attached to the right of the panel, the tracker will move towards the left, and visa-versa. Similar is the case when the reflection falls on the sensor attached at the top of the panel, circuit will make the tracker to move downwards.
We here have tried to bring two simple principles together. One being, the normal principle of incidence and reflection on which our tracker works. And the other is the principle on which the solar panel works, which is on the incidence of the solar rays the photovoltaic cells, will produce electricity. This both principles are combined there and as a result of which we are able to fetch nearly double the output which the panel gives normally.
Precisely speaking the tracker is liable for two kinds of rotations, on is on the vertical axis and other is on the horizontal axis. The earlier is for the right-left movement of the reflection and the later is for the up-down movement of the reflector, for aligning reflection on the panel.

Working of Automatic Solar Tracking System (ASTS)
ASTS is based upon the basic principle of reflection and tracing the sun.
As the sun changes its position through out the day, the reflector also change ITS position in it reference.
There two possibilities to trace the sun, either we can move the solar panel and reflector will be stationary, or the other possibility is to move the reflector and keep panel stationary.
In addition, the reflectors are so planned that they can alter their position with the changing sun trajectory.
Here as the sun will move from east to west the reflector will also move accordingly and provide the predefined sunrays to the panel.
It can be observed that, regardless to the position of sun, the reflector is focusing its reflection towards panel only.
This concept of tracing the solar energy has proven efficient and more productive.
This diagram will give a proper idea for, how the solar energy is in fact collected and then can be used into various applications.
First of all the reflector will collect sunrays and reflect it to the panel.
The sensors will sense this, as and when the focus of the sunrays is shifted, these sensors will actuate the sub circuits and command the reflector to adjust itself with the sun’s movement.

solar tracking

The Project is about tracking the solar rays to its optimum extent and utilizing them the maximum. The concept of reflector has given the extra capability to panel to absorb the rays and as a result, the production is increased. This prototype will also prove itself during the cloudy conditions, as the sensors attached to it are so designed that they will always search for the maximum possible sunrays. This prototype has the biggest advantage that it does not need any external power supply running it. It will fulfill its necessary power requirements from the absorbed solar rays only.
Actuation of the reflector tilt i.e. tracking and rotating of it for solar tracking, are operated with a gear motor based on control circuit, for adjusting the reflector position, so as to collect maximum solar rays. The gear motor controller module built with low cost digital circuit within built flexibility to accommodate seasonal position adjustments. The sensors present at the edges of the panel control the motors.
This prototype can be applied at the remote areas where the national grid is not able to supply the required power. It is also beneficial for the domestic usage. It can also be used for the traffic signals and further is can be a boon for the farmers, it providing the adequate power for irrigation.