Solar Tracker

Project Overview

This project represents a significant engineering evolution, transitioning from a rudimentary high-school prototype to a professional-grade mechatronic device. The primary focus was on enclosing the electronics, including the microcontroller, battery management system, and motor drivers—within a custom 3D-printed housing designed in Fusion360. This ensures wire protection and a clean aesthetic, while the integration of mechanical bearings significantly reduces friction and load on the stepper motors.

The control logic employs a differential comparator array of photoresistors. By actively comparing light intensity levels, the system adjusts the panel's azimuth and elevation to maintain a perfectly perpendicular alignment with the sun, thereby maximizing energy harvesting efficiency compared to static installations.

This iteration replaces a previous proof-of-concept that relied on a bulky array of four distinct photovoltaic panels separated by physical shaders to detect light direction based on voltage drops of each. The shift to photoresistors allowed for a more efficient sensor head and a more responsive tracking algorithm, marking a clear step up in design maturity.