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MINOR PROJECT
REPORT
Sun Tracking Solar Sunflower

Submitted By: Guided By: Prof. Rintu Khanna

Abhay Shukla – 22104036 Submitted To:- Prof. Tejinder Singh Saggu
Aarav Bharadwaj – 22104040
Japendra Singh Bhatia – 22104044
Pranav Garg - 22104050
Arool Bhatia – 22104052
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INDEX

S.No. Topic Page No.

1. Introductory
3
 Acknowledgement
4
 Introduction
4-7
 Objectives

2. Technical
 Hardware Specifications 8-9
 Theory 10-11
 Circuit Diagram 11
 Procedure 12-13
 Working 14-15

3. Conclusion
 Advantages of the System 15
 Future Applications 15
 Conclusion 15
 References 16-17
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Acknowledgment
We express our deepest gratitude to our project guide, Prof Rintu
Khanna, HOD(Electrical Engineering Department), Punjab
Engineering College, for providing invaluable guidance throughout
this project. Their expertise and insights have been instrumental in
shaping our ideas and bringing this project to fruition.

We extend our sincere thanks to Punjab Engineering College, Sector

12 Chandigarh for offering the necessary resources and infrastructure,
enabling us to complete this work seamlessly.

Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to our peers, lab assistants and
teachers whose collaboration and encouragement were vital for the
success of this project.

Lastly, we thank our families and friends for their unwavering support
and motivation.
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Introduction
Solar energy, being one of the most abundant renewable energy
sources, has immense potential to meet the world’s energy needs
sustainably. However, static solar installations often fail to harness
maximum energy due to the sun's changing position throughout the
day.

The Sun Tracking Solar Sunflower aims to address this limitation

by automatically aligning solar panels to the sun’s position using
Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs), servo motors, and a
microcontroller. This innovative approach ensures that solar panels
remain perpendicular to sunlight, significantly boosting energy
output.

The project is designed to be cost-effective and scalable, catering to

various applications ranging from residential solar setups to
industrial-scale solar farms.

Objectives:-
1. Maximize Energy Efficiency

One of the primary goals of this project is to enhance the efficiency of

solar power generation. Traditional static solar panels are often
limited by their fixed orientation, which means they can only harness
maximum energy during peak sunlight hours. By implementing a
dynamic sun-tracking system, the orientation of the panels is
continuously adjusted to ensure they remain perpendicular to the
sunlight throughout the day.

This maximization of energy capture translates into:

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 Higher Energy Output: The system improves the efficiency of

solar installations, with studies showing energy gains of 30–
50% compared to static setups.
 Optimized Utilization: The solar panel array operates at its full
potential for a longer duration during the day, reducing energy
wastage.

2. Employ Advanced Technology

The project leverages cutting-edge components like ESP32

microcontroller and L293N motor driver to create a precise and
responsive tracking mechanism. These components are selected for
their:

 Cost-Effectiveness: ESP32 is a powerful microcontroller with

integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, providing significant
functionality at a low cost.
 Reliability: L293N is widely recognized for its stability in
driving servo motors.
 Scalability: The combination of these technologies ensures the
system can be easily expanded or modified.

The advanced design also includes LDR sensors for detecting

sunlight and servo motors for precise movement, making the system
highly efficient in real-world applications.

3. Promote Sustainability

The project aligns with global efforts to promote renewable energy

adoption and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. By improving solar
energy capture efficiency, the system contributes to:

 Lower Carbon Footprint: Enhanced solar energy production

reduces reliance on carbon-intensive power sources like coal
and natural gas.
 Energy Independence: Sustainable energy systems can power
homes and businesses with minimal environmental impact.
 Economic Benefits: Over time, increased efficiency results in
reduced energy costs for users.
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4. Encourage Scalability

The system is designed to be adaptable to a wide range of

applications, from small residential systems to large-scale industrial
solar farms. Scalability is achieved through:

 Modular Design: Components like ESP32 and L293N can be

easily replaced or upgraded, making the system suitable for
different scales.
 Customizable Setup: The tracking system can accommodate
various sizes and types of solar panels.
 Ease of Implementation: The system uses widely available
hardware and open-source programming, facilitating rapid
adoption.

5. Enhance Reliability Through Automation

Automation is a key focus of this project, ensuring consistent and

reliable performance without requiring manual intervention. The
inclusion of a microcontroller like ESP32 enables:

 Real-Time Adjustments: Continuous data from LDR sensors

allows the system to adjust the solar panel’s orientation
dynamically.
 Self-Sustaining Operation: With solar panels providing power
to the system, it operates independently, even in remote
locations.
 Error Reduction: Automated systems minimize human errors,
enhancing reliability.

6. Enable Future Integration with Smart Technologies

The project is forward-thinking in its design, allowing for integration

with IoT and smart technologies. Features include:

 Remote Monitoring: ESP32’s Wi-Fi capabilities can be used to

connect the system to a cloud platform, enabling users to
monitor performance remotely.
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 Predictive Adjustments: Advanced algorithms can be added in

the future to predict sunlight patterns based on weather data.
 Energy Management: Integration with smart grids or home
energy management systems can optimize energy usage further.
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Hardware Specifications:-
 Bread Board
Specification
840 Pins ABS Plastic Body with
Metal Conductors

 Solar Panels

Specification
6V-60mAh, Quantity-5

 Li-Ion Batteries and Holder

Specification
TR 18650, Input Voltage-3.7V, Output
Voltage- 11.1V to 12V DC, Output
Current- 1A to 3A, Capacity- 3800mAh,
Quantity- 3

 Micro Controller (Arduino Nano)

Specification
Soldered, Model- ATmega328P,
Operating Voltage – 5V, Flash
Memory – 32Kb, Max Supply
Voltage- 6V to 20V, Total I/O pins-
22
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 Motor Diver (L293D)

Specification
Voltage Rating- 4.5V to 36V, Output
Current- 600mA, Operation Temperature- -
40°C to 130°C

 LDR Sensors (10mm, GL10539)

Specification
Maximum Voltage- 200V, Light Resistance
(10LUX)- 50 kΩ to 100 kΩ

 Servo Motors (MG995)

Specification
Torque Rating- 10Kg-cm to 12Kg-cm,
Operating Voltage- 4.8V to 7.2V, Operating
Speed- 20sec/60°@4.8V to
16sec/60°@6.6V, Quantity- 2

 N20 Gear Motor

Specification
Modal- N20-12-100, Rated Speed-
100RPM, Rated Voltage- 12V, Rated
Torque- 0.52Kg-cm
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Theory:-
Working Principle:-

The Sun Tracking Solar Sunflower is based on the principle of

optimizing solar energy capture by dynamically aligning solar panels
with the sun’s position throughout the day. Solar radiation intensity is
highly dependent on the angle at which sunlight strikes a surface. For
maximum energy generation, solar panels must remain perpendicular
to the incoming rays of the sun, which is not feasible with static
installations due to the sun's movement across the sky.

This project employs Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect

variations in light intensity. LDRs exhibit a change in resistance
depending on the intensity of incident light, making them ideal for
tracking sunlight. These sensors are strategically placed in a cross-
pattern to provide input about the sun's direction on both horizontal
and vertical axes.

An ESP32 microcontroller processes the analog signals from the

LDRs and calculates the deviation of the solar panel from the optimal
angle. This data is used to generate precise control signals for servo
motors via the L293N motor driver, which translates the electrical
signals into mechanical movement.

The servo motors rotate the solar panel along two axes—azimuth
(horizontal rotation) and elevation (vertical tilt)—to ensure the
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panel continuously faces the sun. This dynamic adjustment maximizes

energy capture, making the system highly efficient and adaptable to
varying sunlight conditions.

Such a design exemplifies a practical application of embedded

systems, sensor technology, and electromechanical actuation,
providing an innovative solution to improve the efficiency of
renewable energy systems.

Circuit Diagram:-
The circuit includes:

1. LDRs: Arranged in a cross pattern to detect sunlight direction.

2. ESP32: Processes LDR input and sends commands to the servo
motors.
3. L293N Driver: Powers and controls the servo motors.
4. Power Supply: Provides stable voltage to all components.
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Procedure:-
The implementation of the Sun Tracking Solar Sunflower follows a
systematic and methodical approach to ensure accuracy and reliability
in its operation.

Step 1: Component Selection and Setup

The project begins with selecting components that meet the power
and performance requirements while maintaining cost efficiency.
Critical components such as the ESP32 microcontroller, LDR sensors,
servo motors, and the L293N motor driver are procured and tested
individually. Initial testing involves verifying the functionality of
these components to ensure they meet design specifications and are
free from defects.

Step 2: Circuit Assembly

The circuit is first assembled on a breadboard to facilitate testing and

debugging. LDR sensors are connected to the analog pins of the
ESP32 to read light intensity values. Servo motors are interfaced with
the L293N motor driver, which in turn is controlled by the ESP32.
Power connections and signal wiring are carefully checked to avoid
errors during operation.
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Step 3: Programming the ESP32

A microcontroller program is written to process input from the LDRs,

calculate the sun's position, and control the servo motors for precise
panel orientation. Libraries for servo motor control are utilized to
streamline coding and ensure accurate movement.

Step 4: Calibration

The system is tested under varying light conditions to identify and set
thresholds for LDR readings. This calibration ensures the system
responds correctly to changes in sunlight intensity and direction.

Step 5: Final Integration

After successful calibration, the circuit is mounted on a solar panel for

final integration. The complete system is then tested in real-world
conditions to validate its efficiency and reliability in tracking the sun
and maximizing solar energy capture.

Physical Model:-
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Working:-
The Dynamic Sun Tracking System is designed to ensure
continuous and optimal alignment of solar panels with the sun's
position, thereby maximizing energy efficiency. The system's
operation can be broken into four key stages:

1. Data Collection

The process begins with Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs)

detecting sunlight intensity. Four LDRs are strategically placed in a
cross-pattern on the solar panel assembly. Each LDR measures the
intensity of sunlight from a specific direction. The analog signals
generated by the LDRs, corresponding to varying light intensities, are
fed into the ESP32 microcontroller.

2. Processing

The ESP32 microcontroller processes the input from the LDRs to

identify the direction of maximum light intensity. Using this data, the
microcontroller calculates the angular deviation of the solar panel
from the optimal orientation. Advanced algorithms within the ESP32
ensure accurate computation of the required adjustments.

3. Actuation

The calculated angular adjustments are transmitted to the L293N

motor driver, which controls the servo motors. The servo motors
then rotate the solar panel along two axes—azimuth (horizontal
rotation) and elevation (vertical tilt)—to align it precisely with the
sun.

4. Continuous Tracking

This process is repeated continuously throughout the day, enabling

the solar panel to track the sun’s movement dynamically. The system
is designed to operate autonomously, maintaining optimal orientation
even under fluctuating sunlight conditions.
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This intelligent operation exemplifies the integration of sensor

technology, embedded systems, and electromechanical control to
enhance solar energy capture efficiency.

Advantages of the System:-

1. Increased Energy Output: Up to 50% improvement over fixed
solar installations.
2. Cost-Effective: Uses readily available components.
3. Versatility: Adaptable to various scales and settings.
4. Low Maintenance: Simple design reduces maintenance
requirements.

Future Applications:-
1. Residential Solar Systems: Improve energy efficiency for
home installations.
2. Industrial Solar Farms: Enhance productivity in large-scale
operations.
3. Mobile Solar Units: Ideal for RVs, boats, and remote locations.
4. Hybrid Renewable Systems: Combine with wind or
geothermal systems for optimized energy solutions.
5. IoT Integration: Enable real-time monitoring and adjustments
via cloud-based systems.

Conclusion:-
The Sun Tracking Solar System offers a practical solution to the
inefficiencies of static solar installations. By maintaining optimal
alignment with sunlight, the system significantly boosts energy
output. Its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability make it an
ideal candidate for widespread adoption.

Through this project, we have demonstrated the potential of

integrating simple hardware and advanced microcontroller
programming to create impactful renewable energy solutions.
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References:-
 “Smart Flower Solar Energy Generator”
Aman Pachori, Mohit Thakre, Vipul Pande, Prof. Umesh. W.
Hore
The Smart Flower system comprises a dual axis tracker that
tracks the direction of the sun and allows the petals to follow the
direction of the sun. This paper sketches an outline of the details
of solar power energy generation and about the expanding
world.

 “Dual Axis Smart Flower Solar System Sumedh Satam”

Harshit Poojari, Sagar More, Nikita Rane, Dr. Ulhaskumar
Gokhale
This literature proposed the schematic’s, circuit connection and
parts information and specification required for making a solar
sunflower array for all axis control with Arduino based
controller for easy programming.

 “Harnessing Solar Power with a Smart Flower”

International Journal for Research in Applied Science &
Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
Studied this report for the array pattern and petal count to
maximize the give space efficiency and also reviewed how
much of the efficiency can be increased which this smart system
for autonomous tracking for all time power supply.
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 “Arduino Based Two Axis Solar Tracking by Using Servo

Mechanism”
V. Brahmeswara Rao, K. Durga Harish Kumar, N.V. Upendra
Kumar, K. Deepak
This paper proposes a dual axis solar tracking system using
Arduino as the main processing unit to capture maximum
amount of solar energy. Dual axis tracking systems can increase
the power output of solar energy systems by 40%-60%. Solar
energy systems are based on a solar collector to capture the sun's
energy and convert it into electrical power or thermal energy.