R-SOLAR tracking

My name is Rusu Alexandru, and I am a second-year Electrical Engineering student at Politehnica University of Timișoara. Together with my colleague Răducan Denisa, we are developing an automated solar tracking system for photovoltaic panels. The purpose of this project is to monitor energy parameters and compare the performance against a fixed solar system, in order to demonstrate the efficiency of rotating panels. Additionally, through this project we aim to show that fewer photovoltaic panels can achieve the same energy output when using a tracking system, making solar installations more cost-effective and space-efficient.

The system determines the position of the sun using photoresistors mounted at the extremities of the panel string. These panels are rotated using a NEMA 23 stepper motor coupled with a 3D-printed gearbox designed by us. The system also includes the functionality to start a generator when the battery voltage drops too low during the night, using an RTC module to determine the time of day.

Multiple thermistors monitor the temperature of components that can heat up inside the electrical panel, and through a relay, we can activate a cooling fan. We also monitor the battery temperature to maintain it at optimal conditions. Using toroidal sensors, we measure current intensities and can predict when the generator needs to start.

All of this information, thanks to the ESP32’s Wi-Fi capabilities, will be available through an application to remotely monitor the system in real time.

The system is structured on two levels:

Arduino Nano – dedicated to sensor data acquisition, including thermistors, photoresistors, a UV sensor, a DHT11 sensor, a position limit switch, and toroidal current sensors.

ESP32 – used for processing the data received through serial communication, controlling the stepper motor, and displaying real-time parameters on a TFT touchscreen, as well as providing remote monitoring through a dedicated application.

I personally designed the PCB that integrates all components. We are including a photo of the electrical panel in operation, where the new version of the PCB will be added to replace the old prototype we initially built. A sponsorship from PCBWay would greatly help me complete this project and elevate it to a professional standard.

This project combines automation, real-time monitoring, and energy management, while also offering strong educational and research value by demonstrating the performance difference between fixed and solar-tracking photovoltaic systems and exploring strategies to maximize efficiency with fewer resources.