Design of an intelligent solar tracking system using PIC18F452 micro controller

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a microchip PIC 18F452 micro controller based tracking solar energy system, where the extracted solar energy is optimized. The main advantage of the system is that it is programmed, so that it could rotate the solar panels at a pre-programmed angle and at a pre-determined periods by using short pulses. This is done by delivering programmed pulses which drive the rotating motors through the same programmed angle. The micro controller detects two light dependent sensors, one detecting the optimal inclination angle towards the sun, and the second guiding the solar panels to align themselves with it when required. This is done by measuring the voltage difference between the two sensors. If he difference is greater than the preset offset value, the panels are rotated so that they align themselves with the pilot. If the difference is less than the offset, then the panels maintain their current position while the pilot keeps tracking the sun. The choice of the flash micro controller is because it could be reprogrammed online using the technique known as In-Circuit Serial Programming as well as its very low price and size. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.