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Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
The primary goal of the project work is to build a system for tracking the sun for a solar panel. It helps in making the solar panels track the sunlight to get the most efficient energy from the sunlight along the day. The device will track the sunlight using light sensors , after that the solar panel will move using motors in the direction that have the strongest sunlight.
I have made this project before as it was a part of the coursework in a subject at the faculty , but it was made using an Opensource CAD design and I have done some edits on it . All these edits were made using trial and error as we used for example an RC car wheel to help us in the movement of the panel as shown in the image below.
Similar Projects : https://www.instructables.com/Portable-DIY-Solar-Tracker/
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
It will be able to sense the light around it and rotate to directly face the light source so the solar panels have maximum exposure.
The device will have 2 Modes , Automatic mode using sensors and manual Mode using a Mobile App. The user will switch the device using a ON/OFF switch , after the LCD on the device will ask him to choose between the modes . The user can choose the mode using a button . The manual mode will allow the user to control the solar panel to move in the direction he want using a mobile app , but for the automatic mode the sensors will start tracking the light and then the Arduino will control the panels to move in the direction that will let the solar panel face the sunlight .
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
The enclosure of the solar tracker and the solar panel holder will be designed as 2.5D parts using Fusion 360 and fabricated using Laser Cutting
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
The solar will take input from the user when a button is pushed. It will have two buttons one for Automatic Mode and other for Manual Mode . Also it will take input from a mobile app if the user wants to control it manually .
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
Automatic Mode: The message will be displayed on the LCD screen asking the user to choose to control the solar tracker either manually or let the sensor detect the sunlight , in this mode the motors will start to move in the x axis and the y axis to make the solar panel holder move to face the sunlight.
Manual Mode : In this mode the user will use a mobile app to control the motors of the solar panel holder to move in the direction he wants.
Brain
An Arduino UNO board will be used take inputs and generate actions
Power Management
9V adaptor or 3.3 Li-ion batteries will be used to power up the project.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
The solar tracker holder should move in 2 directions : X and Y after determining the maximum light using light sensors
Action: Move 2 servo Motors one in x direction and on in Y direction
Sensing: 4 LDR sensors
User Input: None
Turning On and off the solar tracker
Action: Powering up the device
Sensing: None
User Input: Push Button
Complete User Features
Mode Display : A text message should be displayed produced to the user: "Your are on the Automatic Mode "
Action: Display a message on a LCD screen
Sensing: None
User Input: None
Nice-to-have User Features
Manual Mode: The solar tracker will be controlled using a mobile app that will make the user able to control the motors of the solar panel holder to move in the direction he wants
Action: Control the motors using a Mobile app
Sensing: Bluetooth Sensor
User Input: Push Button to choose the manual mode.
7- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
7- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
Create Bill of materials
Research and list all components
Look up power requirements for all components
Calculate power source requirements
26/8/2024
Electronics & Programming on a breadboard (Minimum & Complete Features)
Feature 1: Turning On and off the solar tracker
Feature 2: Move 2 servo Motors one in x direction and on in Y direction depending on the LDR sensors
Feature 3: Display a message on a LCD screen
Feature 4: Control the motors using a Mobile app
5/9/2024
10/9/2024
Design Enclosure and Solar panel Holder
Create CAD on Fusion 360
Create Mounting for components
11/9/2024
16/9/2024
Fabrication & Integration
Fabricate and assemble the enclosure
Mount all components
Test minimum features
Test complete features
16/9/2024
18/9/2024
8- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
8- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Plywood
1 sheet
Arduino Uno
1
LCD Screen
1
LDR Sensor Module
4
Push Button (Big)
2
Breadboard
1
Servo Motor
2
Bluetooth Module
1
DC Adaptor
2
Small Solar Panel
1
Small Solar Panel
1
Breadboard Jumper Wire Set
Breadboard Jumper Wire Set
1
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