A microcontroller-based real time two-axes sun tracking system for maximum PV energy

In the present study, a microcontroller-based sun tracking system that takes into account both solar azimuth and altitude angles to obtain the maximum energy from the solar panels was developed. Thus, the sun was tracked on two axes based on real-time data. The control unit used in the study was PIC18F452 microprocessor and the real-time clock was DS1302 integrated circuit. A program which instantly calculates the movements (the azimuth and altitude angles) of the sun throughout the day and the year by using solar geometry was loaded on the PIC. The angle values calculated by this program were transformed into pulse-width-modulation signals and the sun tracking system was controlled using these signals. As the result of the experiments, it was observed that more energy was obtained through the use of the microcontroller based sun tracking system. Furthermore, a low-cost and easily programmed control system which tracks the sun in real-time, enables the stable operation of the system and consumes little energy was obtained.