SUNSET: Self-Adjusting Universal Solar Energy Tracker

Inspiration

From the Arctic tundra to the Amazon rainforest, climate change poses an imminent threat to life as we know it. As temperatures escalate and the environment shifts around us, more and more challenges are starting to arise. Whether it is the increase in volatile natural disasters, the increase in food scarcity, or the depletion of nature, the world is in search for a solution.

One renowned solution for this problem is photovoltaic solar panels. By harnessing the power of sunlight to generate electricity, these panels offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel energy, mitigating the release of harmful greenhouse gasses and paving the way towards a cleaner, greener future. However, solar panels are currently limited in their power: during the summer and winter, there is a 60% decrease in energy production because the angle of the sunlight isn’t optimal to absorb sunlight(Lighthouse Solar). Because of this, households without solar panels are less motivated to purchase them and households with solar panels need to use other energy sources on top of their solar panels to power their homes. Subsequently, the potential of solar panels to combat climate change is being undermined.

What it does

The Self-Adjusting Universal Solar Energy Tracker (S.U.N.S.E.T) aims to optimize the energy efficiency of solar panels regardless of the angles of sunlight. Our product uses hydraulic press systems to shift the angle of solar panels so that they can absorb the greatest amount of energy possible. In order to do this, S.U.N.S.E.T uses modeling software(through Python and Wolfram Mathmatica) to adjust the position based on the latitude and season of the panel at a certain point of time. This fixes the issue of optimizing sunlight absorption because the model is able to shift the position of the panels based on where they can get the most direct sunlight, creating a more efficient system.

How we built it

We initially created a detailed model of S.U.N.S.E.T using Tinkercad, a cloud-based 3D modeling software. This allowed us to visualize the physical components and layout of the system, facilitating the design process.

For the computational aspect of our project, we utilized Python and Mathematica to develop the necessary code. Python was chosen for its versatility and ease of use, enabling us to implement algorithms for angle calculations and system control. Mathematica, known for its powerful symbolic and numerical computation capabilities, complemented Python by providing additional tools for mathematical modeling and analysis.

In Python, we designed algorithms to dynamically adjust the angles of the solar panels based on input parameters such as latitude and season. These algorithms incorporated mathematical models to optimize sunlight absorption and maximize energy efficiency.

With the code in place, we conducted simulations to validate the performance of S.U.N.S.E.T under various scenarios. Using Mathematica, we performed numerical simulations to assess the system's behavior and refine our algorithms for optimal results.

Challenges we ran into

Developing algorithms to dynamically adjust solar panel angles based on latitude and season presented challenges in terms of optimization and efficiency. Balancing computational complexity with real-time responsiveness required iterative refinement of the algorithms.

Simulating real-world conditions and scenarios accurately in Mathematica for testing purposes posed challenges in terms of realism and accuracy. Ensuring that simulation results accurately reflected the behavior of the physical system required careful validation and adjustment of simulation parameters.

Limited computational resources and processing power posed challenges in implementing complex algorithms and simulations. Optimization techniques and resource management strategies were necessary to ensure efficient operation within hardware constraints. Additionally, the 36-hour time constraint affected the success of our product.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Throughout the extensive journey of our team's involvement in this hackathon, our most notable achievement lies in our unwavering open-mindedness. Our ideation phase commenced with a divergent thinking approach, where we freely brainstormed ideas ranging from drug delivery solutions to fitness trackers, across various categories. Amidst this creative flurry, some ideas proved unattainable while others appeared overly simplistic. After thorough deliberation and discussion, we honed our focus on optimizing solar panel efficiency with the Self-Adjusting Universal Solar Energy Tracker (S.U.N.S.E.T).

This process of exploration and refinement persisted as we navigate through multiple iterations. Each idea brought forth its set of parameters and considerations, leading us to encounter numerous setbacks and failures. For instance, attempts to optimize solar panel angles for areas with sufficient sunlight or excessively large regions resulted in program crashes. Despite these challenges, we remained resilient, swiftly regrouping and refining our approach with each setback, determined to uncover the next promising solution.

What we learned The development of SUNSET, representing Self-Adjusting Universal Solar Energy Tracker, proved to be an enlightening journey for our team as we delved into the complexities of solar panel optimization. Embracing innovative methodologies, we engaged in extensive discussions and brainstorming sessions to explore novel ways to enhance our project's impact. We encountered obstacles while designing the visualization component of our project, particularly integrating machine learning into a web interface using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Despite initial setbacks, our perseverance led us to discover TinkerCAD, a software that can help us create 3D models.

Beyond technical challenges, SUNSET's development prompted us to critically assess how to maximize our project's impact on solar energy optimization. Confronted with time constraints, we transitioned our passion into Minimum Viable Product (MVP) thinking, prioritizing user-centric design and rapid prototyping to deliver a solution aligned with our core objectives within a short timeframe.

Looking ahead, we envision expanding SUNSET's capabilities to include features such as incorporating terrain parameters for optimal solar panel placement and extending coverage to more regions. With additional data and time, these enhancements hold the potential to significantly optimize solar panel performance and scale our model to benefit communities worldwide. Furthermore, we aim to refine our project by considering factors such as weather patterns and geographical variations, ensuring tailored solutions that maximize solar energy absorption in diverse environments.

References

Clemons, Rob. “Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Solar Energy - Myrtle Beach & Other Cities Reducing CO2 Emissions.” Monarch Solar, 23 Oct. 2017, www.monarchsolarenergy.com/reduce-your-carbon-footprint-with-solar-energy-myrtle-beach-other-cities-reducing-co2-emissions/.Eisenson, Matthew. “Solar Panels Reduce CO2 Emissions More per Acre than Trees — and Much More than Corn Ethanol.” State of the Planet, 26 Oct. 2022, news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/10/26/solar-panels-reduce-co2-emissions-more-per-acre-than-trees-and-much-more-than-corn-ethanol/.Nations, United. “The Promise of Solar Energy: A Low-Carbon Energy Strategy for the 21st Century | United Nations.” Www.un.org, 2007, www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/promise-solar-energy-low-carbon-energy-strategy-21st-century.Solar Energy Industries Association. “Climate Change | SEIA.” SEIA, 2018, www.seia.org/initiatives/climate-change.“Solar Power Generation in Summer vs. Winter.” Lighthouse Solar, www.lighthousesolarny.com/blog/2017/february/the-seasonality-of-solar-energy-production/#:~:text=Solar%20panels%20generally%20produce%20about.Viaintermedia.com. “- Effectiveness of Solar Panels during the Winter Months.” Renewable Energy Magazine, at the Heart of Clean Energy Journalism, www.renewableenergymagazine.com/emily-folk/effectiveness-of-solar-panels-during-the-winter-20201223.