Design Implementation & Optimization Of A Motorized Maximum Power Point Tracking System

Abstract

One of the most important renewable energy sources is solar power. and its emergence has revolutionized how we retrieve, store, distribute, and consume electrical power. However, tracking mechanisms have not been entirely effective in the past towards maximizing energy storage from solar energy. This project seeks to design, implement, and optimize a Motorized Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar system to improve the efficiency of renewable energy generation. The project involved using a smart algorithm to drive a solar panel connected to light dependent resistors (LDRs) linked to a suitable power source. An Arduino microcontroller and other components were added to the MPPT system to guide its movements towards the sun’s most intense ray region. A static solar panel was also designed to perform comparison of solar harvest between stationery and movable panels For 10 days each across sunny, partially cloudy, and cloudy weather, both systems were deployed to observe which solar panel would receive and generate more energy overall. The comparisons showed that the motorized MPPT system was more efficient in retrieving energy, with its setup getting as much as 16% more power across conditions deployed in different weather settings. The MPPT system’s superior energy-capturing ability makes it a suitable option for implementation. Results obtained showed that the MPPT solar tracker is a financially feasible option in the long term and should be scaled to meet commercial needs for sustainable energy options.