The solar panels are operating at optimal parameters when they are at the perfect right angle to the sun. Unfortunately this is accomplished only if solar panels are rotated by the sun. This is the purpose of this diy solar tracker system.
The solar tracker circuit uses a window comparator to maintain the motor in a idle state as long as the two LDRs are under the same illumination level. In this case, half the voltage is applied to the noninverting input of A1 and to the inverting input of A1.
Solar Tracker Circuit Schematic
simple diy solar tracker system schematic
solar tracking components
- T1, T3 = BD239, BD139
- T2, T4 = BD240, BD140
- A1, A2 = 1/2 of LM324
- Diodes = 1N4001
When the sun position is changing so does the illumination level on the LDRs and the input voltage for the window comparator is no longer half of the supply voltage thereby the output of the comparator generates informations for the motor that rotates the panels for tracking the sun.
diy sun tracking sensor
diy sun tracking sensor
P1 and P2 are adjusted in such way that the motor stands still when the LDRs get the same amount of solar light. If less light reaches LDR2 than LDR1, the voltage in point A increases to more than half of the power supply voltage. As a result the output of A1 is HIGH and T1 and T4 transistors conduct. In this situation the motor is starting.
If the angle of the solar light is changing again and the voltage in point A decreases at less than power supply voltage, the output of A2 goes HIGH and T3 and T2 transistors conduct. As a result the motor is rotating in opposite direction.
For solar panels control is best to use small motors with a suitable voltage and a maximum working current of 300 mA. This solar tracker system is used for tracking the sun only in one plane, the horizontal one. If you want to track the solar light in the vertical plane you need to build a separate sun tracker circuit.
analog solar tracker circuit schematic by Bien
This is a simple and practical analog solar panel tracker circuit. Using four LDR (light dependent resistor) as a sensor in detecting the light source arranged as illustrated. When the light hit the LDR in a certain position, it will activate the circuit and trigger the relay to turn the slewing motor in the right direction until the sensor is fully shaded under its cover stopping the motor to its rest condition.
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Bien Fshort cuiTimelordPopescu MRami-Sharjdon999Radio FanDanielaAlexeiJonathan
For the vertical plane can I use the other 2 amplifiers inside LM324? I see you are using 2 of them and as I know the IC has 4.
The LM324 consists of four independent operational
amplifiers, so yes, you can use them.
sure this circuit is so simple, but can i replace the resistor 15k and 47k so that it can be use as the gate controller or use it as door opener? thanks
It’s a great circuit.
I just have one question.
Doesn’t it have to be reset in the evening ?
What I mean is :
is LDR1 set in such a position to the east that it will turn the solar panel back in the morning ?
THX T L.
Actually it doesn’t go back to its original position automatically. But it will track back the sun in the morning. The most important thing is the design of the tracking sensor.
Of course Marian.
The design is simple and nifty.
I’ve been looking and digging around,
and the gain is about 15 – 20% with this design integrated.
Could 3 ldr’s make it so it resets to the east as soon as the “east” ldr revives light ?
And could you amend the circuit to show 3
What motor do you use ?
Can i use 12 volts motor ?