Automatic Control Maximum Power Point Tracker

A single-axis Sun tracker to follow the position of the sun was designed and constructed and an experimental investigation was carried out on photovoltaic power output through the single axis automatic controlled solar tracker. This paper presents the design of an Automatic Solar tracking system to track Solar PV Panel according to the direction of beam propagation of Sun''s radiation. The entire tracking system consists of sensor with ADC, control circuits to motor drive with control software, and bearing with supports and mountings. The controlling motion for PV panel has been provided by discrete motion of the motor. Microcontrollers with ADC and line driver are used in the control circuits, which generate pulses according to software feedback for rotation of the motor drive. The amount of receivable solar insulation through tracking is considered as 100% at all latitude and energy surplus becomes about 57% without atmospheric influences. In case of seasonal changes of the Sun''s position, it needs not to change hardware & software. Considering all above aspects of this tracking system it can be concluded that, it is a flexible tracking system with least cost & high efficiency.