Development of a Solar Power Generating System with Auto-Tracking and Data Logging Devices

Abstract

Solar power systems have become a viable wellspring of sustainable energy over the years and are commonly used for a variety of industrial and domestic applications. Capturing and storing the maximum amount of available energy for prediction and future analysis have been the major problems. This study aimed at developing a solar power generating system with solar tracking and data logging devices. The Dual Axes Solar Power Generating System (DASPGS) was developed using a combination of hardware and software systems consisting of three major subsystems: mechanical, electro-mechanical, and electrical tracker parts. C-language programme was used in conjunction with the Arduino Uno board for logging the power generated from the DASPGS and already fabricated Fixed Axis Solar Power Generating System (FASPGS). The power generated was stored on the created web page and the Secure Digital (SD) card. Data were harvested and the performance evaluations of the DASPGS over FASPGS were determined for 28 days. DASPGS gave average power of 22.88, 22.25, 24.49, and 25.92 Watts per week while FASPGS gave 5.16, 15.00, 16.23, and 15.74 Watts per week. A significant difference between DASPGS and FASPGS gave a P value of .004. This study showed that the DASPGS performed better than FASPGS. The system developed finds its application in the area of solar power prediction.