Smart-Solar-Sync-Device(SSSD)

"Harnessing solar energy ,Maximizing efficiency" .

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Inspiration

Small solar panels, that could barely catch light inspired this device to perform better with these panels. Innovation solutions helped bridge this gap with the importance of renewable energy.

What it does

My device enhances the orienting ability of small solar panels by absorbing as much sunlight as possible throughout the day. It is fitted with sensors that trace the movement of the sun and changes the angle at which the panel absorbs it. The device tracks energy produced and efficiency, hence enables me to acquire valuable data about the areas for enhancement.

How we built it

I had to develop the idea. It included concepts from classes in STEM, as well as coding.

  1. Science :- solar panel uses *photoelectric effect * for which sunlight should strike at an angle of 90 degree for maximum efficiency. ~Material used :- 1. have high corrosion resistance. 2. high strength. 3. can tolerate torsion and bending . proposed material to be used :-stainless steel and titanium alloys. ~maximum and minimum angle (during sunrise and sunset ) are 0 and 180 degree respectively. ~average rate of tilting =(360 degree)/24 hours= 15 degree per hour. ~ Motor should have low rpm and high torque .
  2. Mathematics to calculate at what rate should the device be rotated ,what speed it should be rotated what it the minimum ,maximum angle of tilt and speed of tilt . Tilt:- maximum : 0 degree minimum :180 degree average rate of tilting :15 degree per hour. MOTOR :- 1. power :- 0.5W - 2W. 2. rpm(revolution per minute) :- ~0.05 rpm (roughly).

NOTE

~weight is assumed between 5kg to 20kg per panel. ~Margin of safety is also considered such as weather ,variable duration and life of this device.

  1. Mechanical Design :- I made a mount by using a servo motor to adjust the position of the panel. DC motor should be used for this device.
  2. Sensors: I used LDRs to measure the position of the sun with respect to the device.

5.Microcontroller: to read sensor values and control servo motors and to guide the motor's speed and rpm as per the weather condition and other factors .

  1. Energy Monitoring: I have added a small circuit which contains current and voltage sensors to monitor the energy output . for analysing how much energy is saved by device and current consumption of energy by solar panel.

  2. Coding :- to calculate real time required angle of tilt ,speed of motor for a particular solar panel. and to provide User Interface to track real time speed ,rpm of motor .

1.HTML AND CSS to provide a UI to track real time speed, rpm of motor ,current angle of tilt .

2.C++:- to perform real time calculations for required angle of tilt, speed and rpm of motor required at any instance.

Challenges I ran into

  1. How to Calibrate the device for change in weather such as foggy, rainy, cloudy ,summer and winter .

  2. Smooth motor movement required careful calculations and assumptions .

  3. How to monitor energy consumption by the device and and the energy produced by solar panel.

  4. how to make the device more efficient, and cost effective .

    Accomplishments that we're proud of

  5. I managed to increase the panel's energy efficiency up-to 30% (using certain standard assumptions and standard mathematical calculations not shown here )..

  6. (User friendly UI ) I came up with an energy data display that was user-friendly .

  7. I managed to integrate both mechanical and coding knowledge in one solution to provide a cost effective , high market valuation and expansion possibility along with the principle of sustainable devlopment.

    What I learned

  8. USE OF ARDUINO AND IDR:- to integrate sensors to control motor movement.

  9. How to design SSSD and role of material chosen to build a device.

  10. How to integrate UI with real time data.

What's next for Smart-Solar-Sync-Device(SSSD)

  1. I believe we should focus more on it's customization for different solar panel and weather conditions.
  2. I believe we would need to find a balance between capability of this device to customize and mass production.

NOTE :- It is an Ideathon project the provided website is a simpler prototype version of the proposed actual model.

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