Automatic Rotating Solar Panel Tracker
Automatic Rotating Solar Panel Tracker
STEM Researchers:
Chona G. Dela Cruz
James Lorrel P. Lamsen
Vahn Zairuz C. Dela Cruz
Aldrex Q. Nebrida
Michael Joshua S. Tamayo
Mark Anthony A. Samorio
Presented to:
The Faculty of Labrador National High School
Senior High Department
Labrador, Pangasinan
June 2021
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APPROVAL SHEET
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Grade 12, Senior High School
graduating students, this research entitled “ROTATING SOLAR PANEL: AUTOMATIC
SOLAR TRACKER” has been prepared and submitted by Chona G. Dela Cruz, James Lorrel
P. Lamsen, Vahn Zairuz C. Dela Cruz, Aldrex Q. Nebrida, Michael Joshua S. Tamayo, and
Mark Anthony A. Samorio for approval and acceptance.
Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Grade 12, Senior High School,
graduating students.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The researchers would like to express their sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude
to the following people who offered their untiring support to make this research project
First and foremost, the researchers would like to thank, God the almighty for being the
The researchers would like to express gratitude to the principal, Dr. Marissa M.
Mamaril, for the constant encouragement. The researchers would also like to thank Mr. Renato
Dizon, head of the Senior High School Department of the school, for his advise and support
The researchers are eternally debited to Mr. Dennis Feliciano and Ms. Ma Angelica
Bautista, our project guides for patiently clearing all our doubts and guiding us over each
obstacle.
To the respondents, who really participated, for their honest and cooperative response
Finally, the researchers would like to thank the parents, who sustained and motivated
the researchers throughout this whole semester, for willingly giving financial support for this
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
Research Hypotheses 2
Conceptual Framework 5
Definition of Terms 9
Foreign Literature 10
Local Literature 14
Research Design 18
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Sampling Technique 19
Sources of Data 19
Research Instrument 19
Arduino Program 23
Advantages 31
Disadvantages 31
Summary 32
Conclusion 33
Recommendation 33
Reference List 34
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APPENDIX C: Questionnaire 38
APPENDIX E: Documentation 52
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
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Figure 2.1 Current vs. time curve for both stationary panel and solar tracker 26
Figure 2.2 Voltage vs. time curve for both stationary panel and solar tracker 26
Figure 2.3 Power vs. time curve for both stationary panel and solar tracker 27
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ABSTRACT
This study focused on building a rotating solar panel using Light Dependent Resistors
(LDR) and examine its difference to a stationary solar panel in collecting solar energy. The
researchers collected data by testing the difference of storing energy between a stationary solar
panel and a rotating solar panel through experimentation and observation. To test the current
and voltage values, the researchers used multimeter. Three trials were conducted to evaluate
the difference of current and voltage of solar panels. To test the efficiency of the project, data
were collected through an online survey from a group of 30 people living in the Municipality
of Lingayen and Labrador. The result of the experimentation concluded that the solar panel
with solar tracker collects more solar energy compare to the stationary one. The average energy
gained by the solar tracker 18.7098 Watts a day while the stationary has 10.8352 Watts a day.
The average power gain by the solar panel is 149.45% compared to stationary panel. The
advantages of using solar tracker are; it increases the availability of solar power in a certain
area, it is easy to implement, and it is eco-friendly. Meanwhile, its disadvantages are; it cannot
use in a rainy season, initial cost is high, maintenance of the solar panel is additional cost, and
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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
Energy is one of the most important commodities in today's generation, and the fact
that it belongs to the needs of people, it is the most expensive and uses nonrenewable resources.
There is a lot of interest right now in finding solutions to the world's energy problems. Finding
energy sources to satisfy the world's growing demand is one of the foremost challenges. People
have used fossil fuels and coals as the main energy sources since the early ages. However, the
quantity of these energy sources on Earth is getting low and causes changes on the Earth's
atmosphere, especially to global environment and climate. About eighty-five percent (85%) of
energy production is dependent on fossil fuels. This has led to research on alternative energy
source that would complement the conventional fossil fuel (Khan et al, 2010).
Many research studies have been conducted to seek new energy sources that are
renewable and cause less harm to environment. One of the alternative ways to produced
functional energy is the used of solar panel which produces solar energy. Solar energy is the
energy generated by the power of solar radiation coming from the sun. Sun is one of the main
source of renewable energy in our planet. An abundance heat from it provide our world with
life and the energy that we needed. The use of solar panels is a raising trend in various countries
because it does not only supply a low-cost energy, but also an environment-friendly because
solar energy is one of the cleanest source of energy whose use can contribute to saving
The use of solar panels in the Philippines is a huge advantage because it is located near
the equator, which more sunlight is directly pointing at. Solar panels are usually fixed in
position, by that, they absorb less sunlight and do not attain the maximum energy output. The
most efficient solar panels of today’s technology utilize less than 20% of available solar energy
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(Radharamanan, 2014) because the angle and direction of the solar panels determined the
To achieve the energy efficiency, solar panel must be able to follow the Sun's movement
to produce the maximum possible power. By keeping the panel perpendicular to the Sun, more
Solar panels with an automatic mechanism that can adjust the angle and the direction
of the panel are capable to capture more sunlight. Light dependent resistors can improve solar
panels to capture more solar energy. It is an active sensor that continuously track the amount
of sunlight and rotate the panel towards the direction with the lightest intensity. It will ensure
the solar panel to face directly to the Sun at all times and collect as much energy.
This research aims to design, create, and evaluate the effectiveness of a solar tracker in
collecting solar energy from the Sun wherein it will follow the direct sunlight.
3. Is there a difference between a fixed solar panel and a rotating solar panel in collecting
solar energy?
Research Hypotheses
In line with the specific problems, this study sought to test the following hypotheses:
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solar panel.
solar panel.
Students. This research will benefit students by helping them understand the utilization
of solar energy. This will help them understand more about solar energy and how to used it.
They will be more aware of the positive and negative effects of nonrenewable energy in our
Parents. This research will help them know more about solar energy and how to utilize
it. Giving them an idea that solar energy is a clean and good alternative source of energy, that
it can be used in households and can help in minimizing the electric bills. It can also be a way
Researchers. This research will help them to understand the use of trackers on solar
panels. This will give them the ideas on how they can collect maximum amount of energy
Future Researchers. This research will benefit future researchers since this will serve
as reference for related studies. This study will help them understand the application of
automatic solar panels and can help in the development of their research.
Community. This study will benefit the community in general as the findings of this
will give people a better understanding on solar energy and can benefit people who are using
and will be using solar panels. The result of this research will become a gate way in the
development and creation of future inventions than can be a major addition in the field of
energy. Also, it might be a help in solving the problem of the sufficiency of energy on our
world.
This study focuses on constructing a rotating solar panel wherein it will follow a direct
sunlight using Light Dependent Resistor and evaluating its performance in collecting solar
energy. It is to maximize the solar energy being collected. This study consists of
experimentation of the constructed rotating solar panel to determine the energy being stored.
This study is limited only on determining the energy being stored by the rotating solar
panel.
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Conceptual Framework
Figure 1.1 shows the block diagram of the conceptual framework of the study. It has
The Input consists of materials needed to build the project and the independent variable
The Process shows how the project is going to build and the instrument what will be
used in gathering the data, this includes the experimentation and data analysis.
The Output identifies the finished project and the energy stored by the rotating solar
panel
Input Process Output
A.
A. Materials and
1. Building the project
electrical A. Rotating Solar
2. Programming
components Panel
B.
B. Rotating Solar B. Energy stored
Panel 3. Experimentation
4. Data analysis
Figure 1.2 shows the block diagram of the project. It consists of different steps on how
Figure 1.3 shows the block diagram of the rotating solar panel. It illustrates the function
Figure 1.4 shows the schematic diagram of the project. It shows the connections of
Analyzing the
project
Solar Panel
Energy Storage
Definition of Terms
energy.
Automatic Mechanism. It refers to the mechanical system of the device that operates
Coal. It is a combustible rock consists of carbonized plant matter that are found mainly in
Energy Efficiency. This refers to reducing the use of nonrenewable energy by eliminating
energy waste.
Fossil Fuel. It is a fuel formed from decomposing plants and animals, and it contains carbon
resistance increases or decreases depending on the amount of the light intensity it is receiving.
Nonrenewable Energy. This refers to the energy which is generated from sources that cannot
be replaced easily or requires extremely long amount of time to replace it, like fossil fuels.
Renewable Energy. It is a clean energy which is generated from natural sources that are
Solar Energy. This is an energy from the sun that is generated using a solar panel.
Solar Panel. It is a device which absorb sunlight and convert them into electricity.
Solar Tracker. It is a device that orients the solar panel toward the direct sunlight.
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Foreign Literature
Solar Technologies
The conversion of solar energy into thermal or electrical energy is known as solar
power. It is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source, and the United States has
some of the best solar resources in the world. Solar energy can be used for a number of things,
Photovoltaics, solar heating and cooling, and focusing solar power are three ways to
use solar energy. Photovoltaic cell is an electrical system of directly generating electricity from
sunlight which can be used to power anything from small electronics like calculators and road
signs to homes and large commercial enterprises. Solar energy is a very adaptable source of
energy: it can be installed as a utility-scale solar power plant or as distributed generation (at or
near the point of use) (similar to traditional power plants). Any of these approaches can store
the energy they produce and deliver it after the sun sets: cutting-edge solar + storage
technology. In the United States, solar power works within a complex and integrated electricity
system, partnering with other technologies including wind power to help the nation transition
The energy extracted from solar photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems is
dependent on solar insolation, according to Kumar (2011). To get the most energy from the
sun, the plane of the solar collector should always be parallel to the incident radiation. The
earth's diurnal and seasonal movement influence the solar collector's radiation intensity [2].
Suryanarayana et al. (2014) carried out a research on solar energy collection using
photovoltaic cells. To optimize the performance of the power output, the project uses a
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Sensors, and stepper motors for the tracking device. A dual-axis system is used in the study's
prototype [3].
A solar cell is a system that uses the photovoltaic effect to transform light energy into
electrical energy. Photovoltaic modules, also known as solar panels, are made up of solar cells
[4].
A solar tracker is a device that tilts an object in relation to the sun. Solar trackers are
most commonly used to align photovoltaic modules (solar panels) so that they remain
perpendicular to the sun's rays and to position space telescopes so that they can determine the
sun's direction. Photovoltaic solar trackers change the direction a solar panel faces in response
to the sun's location in the sky. The more sunlight reaches the solar panel, less light is reflected,
and more energy is absorbed when the panel is held perpendicular to the sun. It is possible to
Sun tracking, according to [5,] uses specialized equipment to assess the sun's position
in relation to the object to be aligned. These instruments generally include computers that can
process complicated algorithms that allow the system to track the sun and sensors that provide
information about the sun’s location to a computer or, if connected to a solar panel with a
A solar tracker that modifies the direction of a solar panel and holds the panel
perpendicular to the sun to maximize the amount of sunlight on the panel. Studies have shown
that the angle of light influences the energy output of a solar module. It generates more energy
than a non-perpendicular solar panel since it is perpendicular to the sun. The effect of small
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angles from the vertical on energy output is less than that of larger angles. In addition, the sun's
angle shifts from north to south seasonally and daily from east to west. Therefore, while east-
The surface of the module in a solar tracking device automatically monitors the location
of the sun as the day progresses. When the sun travels through the sky, its location changes.
Solar-powered equipment performs best when it is mounted near the sun, and a solar tracker
can boost the equipment's performance in any fixed location. Sophistication, expense, and
performance are all factors to consider. The heliostat, a movable mirror that mirrors the sun's
position to a fixed spot, is a common form of tracker. The accuracy of a solar tracker is
a high level of precision to ensure that focused sunlight is guided precisely to the driven unit,
which is located near the focal point of the reflector of lens. Concentrator systems cannot
necessitate less precision, and many of them are likely to function without any tracking.
Tracking, on the other hand, will increase both the overall amount of output power generated
by a system and the amount of output power produced during critical system demand periods
(usually late afternoon in hot climates). Solar panels have been studied in order to improve
their energy efficiency. When a solar PV panel is located at right angles to the sun, it produces
the most energy. As a result, several researches have established various types of solar panel
tracking systems. As a result, the primary objective of this work is to create a solar panel tracker
based on Arduino advances in order to boost solar panel energy output [4].
to the quantity of sunlight that it is being exposed to; its power output is depending on the
quantity of light that reaches the solar cell. PV technology is most effective when it is faced
with a light source that generates a perfect perpendicular angle, i.e. a 90-degree angle. In order
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to perform this in a real-world situation, the PV panel should move with the sun to maintain
Solar tracking, which involves constantly following the sun in the sky, effectively
solves such issues. Under ideal conditions, a typical PV panel would perform at about 20-35
percent, while sun tracking has been shown to potentially double that, with 50-60 percent
output under ideal conditions [6]. In standard there are two primary groups which could
categorize solar trackers: single or dual axis trackers. Single axis trackers only track the Sun's
East-West (or even North-South) movement, while dual axis trackers track the Sun's exact
cells as sensors and focusing about a single axis at a time. To generate a voltage difference,
these sensors are strategically placed next to each other and feature a divider/tilted mount of
some kind. This voltage difference is then used to determine which way the panel should face
In contrast to the horizontally fixed mode, experimental experiments using the sun-
tracking device revealed that 30 percent more energy was obtained. The direct sun beams were
detected using four LDR sensors. As a shading system, an obstruction was placed between each
pair of LDRs. The experimental results showed that the designed system was extremely reliable
Sun trackers move the solar collector to suit the sun's trajectories and keep the tilt angle
of the solar collector at an optimal level. Solar tracking systems can improve the energy
efficiency of solar PV and solar thermal systems significantly. This work developed and
installed an automated solar tracking system using LDR sensors and DC motors on a
mechanical structure with gear arrangement. Two-axis solar tracking has been implemented
using microcontroller-based sophisticated control logic (azimuth and altitude angles). In terms
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of important parameters including solar radiation received on the collector, maximum hourly
electrical power, efficiency gain, short circuit current, open circuit voltage, and fill factor, the
proposed system's output has been evaluated and compared to that of a fixed tilt angle solar
collector [2].
Meanwhile, Zhan et al. (2013) developed and implemented a dual-axis solar PLC-based
(Programmable Logical Controller) automatic tracking unit, as well as its supervisory and
control system. The proposed tracking system generates approximately 8% to 25% more
Local Literature
For half of each year, the sun's rays are perpendicular to the ground in the Philippines,
which is a tropical nation. As a result, in terms of location, the Philippines offers the best sun
exposure. It is located near the equator, where it receives ample sunlight during the year due to
its position in the ecliptic plane, which is in the direction of the sun. Furthermore, the
Philippines has the fifth most expensive electricity in the world. Alternative energy sources
that are less costly and do not contribute to global warming are needed in the Philippines. Solar
energy as a source of electricity can help Filipinos produce their own energy and save money
in the long run. Since the sun's location in the celestial sphere shifts throughout the year,
identifying the appropriate tilt of solar panel to produce the most power available for semi-
The sun's rays will be reflected in various locations in the Philippines during the year,
depending on the climate, as rains usually occur during typhoon season from May to January
The ground's perpendicularity to the sun's rays varies over the year since the earth's
rotational axis rotates at 23.4 degrees in relation to its orbit around the sun. As a result,
developing a method to measure the amount of solar radiation in a given location and the
optimum tilt of solar panels is critical in order to optimize the potential for collecting solar
geographical standpoint. The Philippines has an estimated solar energy capacity of 4.5 kWh/m2
per day, according to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Solar power
production is a great choice for developing renewable energy solutions in the Philippines
Several key factors influence the Philippines' need for renewable energy sources,
making solar power an excellent option. According to a report published in 2018, the
Philippines' gross domestic product increased by 5.4 percent on an annual basis over the
previous year. By2040, the rate of growth is expected to hit 7%. This increase in GDP would
push up energy demand. Currently, the Philippines' energy needs are heavily reliant on fossil
fuels, with about 77 percent of the country's electricity coming from this source. The use of
these fossil fuels has resulted in a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which has harmed the
atmosphere [4]. Moving to a renewable energy source like solar will help minimize this
negative environmental effect. Finally, since the 1990s, some areas in the Philippines have
experienced frequent power outages, particularly during the summer months, with 25.6 GWh
in 1990 and 77.3 GWh in 2014. Since energy demand is expected to double by 2040 compared
to 2013, blackouts are also expected to rise. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, could
around the world pursue alternative forms of energy production. Solar energy is one of these
alternatives to conventional fossil fuels, though it accounts for a small but increasing portion
of total energy consumption. Solar energy converts sunlight into usable energy using solar
panels. The Philippines, in Southeast Asia, is an excellent location for more solar energy
incorporation due to its geographic location and other main features. Solar power generation
has begun to introduce promising results in the generation of renewable energy [10].
The Philippine government has made a significant effort to promote the use of solar
energy in the country: in 2008, RA9513 was passed, containing a number of measures to
encourage renewable energy production, establish a feed-in tariff, and provide commercial
energies. These policy reforms have provided a strong incentive for Filipino businesses to
Solar Tracker
According to [13], in the Philippines, the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of
residential and commercial buildings has increased in popularity. Even if the country receives
a lot of sunlight, energy conversion is inefficient because solar panel arrays are not always
parallel to the sun. Solar trackers and other technologies for rising solar panel performance are
usually complex and costly. This problem is addressed by (Obiso et al,2017), designing a low
cost dual axis solar tracker with the integration of specular reflector system. To ensure optimum
performance, the dual axis tracker device will shift the panel and reflector assembly in a precise
and controlled manner. A LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) compass assembly, gear system,
and stepper motor mechanism were used to accomplish this. A voltage sensing circuit was used
to measure the solar panel strength instead of the current optical and time-based techniques.
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The system's performance was tested in both regulated and real-world settings. Experiments
have shown that when the panel is perpendicular to the light source, the unit generates the most
energy. As the average efficiency of the panel deteriorates when the light source deviates from
the standard, the need for a monitoring and planar reflector system becomes crucial. When the
tracker was added alone, it had a greater enhancement effect than when the specular reflector
Carlos Moron et al. (2017) developed a new photovoltaic solar tracker prototype based
on Arduino. Solar tracking with two axes is possible due to a feedback control system that uses
a stepper motor and a linear actuator using photodiodes. The prototype's design takes advantage
receive energy and boost its efficiency for future housing installations [14].
tracker that is controlled by a microcontroller and uses the sun's perpendicularity and
that measured the voltages obtained from each of the set-ups, a motor control approach was
used to perform the best turn to absorb the most solar energy. When compared to stationary
panel installation, the robotic sun tracker system resulted in a 29 percent increase in electricity
generation [15].
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This chapter presents the methodology of this study; it presents a discussion of the
procedure and the statistical treatment used in the study. It also presents the materials and
Research Design
This study used experimental research design. It describes the performance of the solar
tracker. Moreover, it further investigated how solar tracker affects the energy being stored by
The target population for this study defined to include students in Labrador National
High School and residents of Municipality of Labrador and Lingayen, while the accessible
population is the students and residents of Labrador and Lingayen who are currently studying
through digitized and online modalities of Labrador National High School and who have
internet connection, since they are the people within the researchers' reach.
The sample in this study is a smaller group of elements drawn through a definite
The sample of the population of this study is 30 respondents from Labrador and
Lingayen, Pangasinan.
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Sampling Technique
A convenience sampling procedure was used for selecting the participants in this study.
The technique is employed to ensure a fairly equal representation of the variables for the study.
This is achieved by the willingness and availability of the respondents. Thus, the researchers
let the available sample from accessible population to answer the questionnaire until the
Sources of Data
The data used in this study were come from the answers of the students of Labrador
National High School and residents of Labrador and Lingayen, Pangasinan on the questionnaire
that is being distributed to them. A validated request letter signed by the proper authorities of
the school used to gather the data from the questionnaire. The collected data from the solar
Research Instrument
The instrument used were online survey questionnaire and an experimentation to gather
The questionnaire was done based on the previous studies, researchers' readings,
published and unpublished thesis relevant to the study. In the preparation of the instrument, the
requirements in making of a good data collection instrument is considered. The total number
of questions is 10 items, 5 items for determining the acceptability of the project, 3 items for
determining the quality of the project, and 2 items with an open-ended question. The survey
required at least 20 minutes of answering. This instrument consists of questions which will
The experimentation was done by the used of materials and equipment to test the
The initial form of the survey questionnaire is tested to a group of 10 students in Grade
12 STEM. Students were asked to respond to survey items and also comment regarding the
questionnaire's validity. The survey questionnaire is also tested and checked by the subject
On the data collection process, the researchers sought approval from the school
principal of Labrador National High School through sending communication letters to allow
administering and retrieving of questionnaires to and from the respondents. This ensured the
participation and involvement of the school. Anonymity of the participants and confidentiality
of information will be maintained. After the data gathered, it will be processed immediately.
The data collected are arranged, measured, tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted using
appropriate statistical methods to resolve the particular research problems. The statistical
To obtain the results from the questionnaire answered by the respondents, statistical
The T-test is employed to established and to test the hypotheses of the study. All tests
Breadboard Multimeter
Arduino Program
The following program is used to programmed the Arduino Uno, the microcontroller
of the project:
#include <Servo.h>
void setup() {
myservo1.attach(9);
myservo2.attach(8);
myservo1.write(ser1);
myservo2.write(ser2);
}
void loop() {
myservo1.write(ser1);
}
myservo1.write(ser1);
}
myservo2.write(ser2);
}
myservo2.write(ser2);
}
delay(15);
}
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This chapter shows data on the experimentation and observation of the researches, and
data gathered from the questionnaire followed by an interpretation of findings. The findings
Results, Analysis, and Interpretation of Data for the Experimentation and Observation
Table 1.1 shows the current and voltage values received from both stationary panel and
Table 1.1. Current and Voltage Values of Stationary Panel and Solar Tracker at Different
Times in a Day
Time Solar Tracker Stationary Panel
Trial 1 Trials 2 Trial 3
Voltage Current Voltage Current Voltage Current Voltage Current
8:00 am 6.78 V 0.29 A 6.79 V 0.26 A 6.59 V 0.22 A 6.43 V 0.04 A
9:00 am 6.97 V 0.31 A 6.94 V 0.29 A 6.88 V 0.29 A 6.70 V 0.17 A
10:00 am 7.00 V 0.32 A 7.02 V 0.33 A 7.04 V 0.30 A 6.72 V 0.17 A
11:00 am 6.80 V 0.33 A 7.11 V 0.31 A 6.97 V 0.31 A 6.51 V 0.28 A
12:00 pm 6.98 V 0.32 A 7.13 V 0.35 A 7.15 V 0.31 A 6.58 V 0.25 A
1:00 pm 7.66 V 0.37 A 7.65 V 0.39 A 7.44 V 0.36 A 6.73 V 0.28 A
2:00 pm 6.70 V 0.29 A 6.68 V 0.30 A 6.85 V 0.24 A 6.57 V 0.25 A
3:00 pm 7.01 V 0.27 A 6.71 V 0.26 A 6.80 V 0.21 A 6.67 V 0.13 A
4:00 pm 6.92 V 0.27 A 6.53 V 0.27 A 6.44 V 0.19 A 6.49 V 0.04 A
5:00 pm 4.65 V 0.05 A 4.54 V 0.03 A 4.51 V 0.04 A 4.38 V 0.04 A
From the table 1.1, it is seen that at 8:00 am, there is much improvement in current by
the solar tracker compared to the stationary panel. But as times goes on, this difference in
current between the two decreases up to around 3:00 pm. After that, when the sun rotates more
towards west, the difference increase again. The highest current of stationary panel and solar
tracker is 0.28 A and 0.39 A, respectively at 1:00 pm. In the case of voltage, the variation
0.5
0.4
Solar Tracker Trial 1
Current
0.3
0.2 Solar Tracker Trial 2
0.1 Solar Tracker Trial 3
0 Static Panel
8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00
am am am am pm pm pm pm pm pm
Figure 2.1. current vs. time curve for both stationary panel and solar tracker
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8
Solar Tracker Trial 1
Voltage
6
4 Solar Tracker Trial 2
2 Solar Tracker Trial 3
0 Static Panel
8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00
am am am am pm pm pm pm pm pm
Figure 2.2. voltage vs. time curve for both stationary panel and solar tracker
Figure 2.1 shows the comparison of current curves for both the stationary panel and
solar tracker.
Figure 2.2 shows the comparison of voltage curves for both stationary panel and solar
tracker.
The table 1.2 shows the mean of the three trials at different times in a day. The highest
power obtained by the solar tracker is 2.8320 Watts at 1:00 pm. The lowest power obtained by
the solar tracker is 0.1830 Watts at 5:00 pm wherein the intensity of the sunlight is much lower
than the rest of the times. The average energy gained by the solar tracker is 18.7098 Watts a
day.
Table 1.3. Power Values of Stationary Panel and Solar Tracker, and the Corresponding Power
Gain by the Solar Tracker
Power Gained by
Time Solar Tracker Stationary Panel
the Solar Tracker
8:00 am 1.7271 W 0.2572 W 571.50 %
9:00 am 2.0562 W 1.1390 W 80.53 %
10:00 am 2.2227 W 1.1424 W 94.56 %
11:00 am 2.2029 W 1.8228 W 20.85 %
12:00 pm 2.3152 W 1.6450 W 40.74 %
1:00 pm 2.8320 W 1.8844 W 50.29 %
2:00 pm 1.8637 W 1.6425 W 13.47 %
3:00 pm 1.6884 W 0.8671 W 94.72 %
4:00 pm 1.6184 W 0.2596 W 523.42 %
5:00 pm 0.1830 W 0.1752 W 4.45 %
Total 18.7098 W 10.8352 W 149.45 %
The table 1.3 shows the power values of both the stationary panel and solar tracker. The
power gain of solar tracker over stationary panel for different times in a day is also given in the
table. The maximum power output of the stationary panel and solar tracker is 1.8844 Watts and
2.8320 Watts, respectively, is found at 1:00 pm. More power gain is achieved in the morning
and afternoon because the solar tracker can accurately track the sun at these times while the
3
Power (Watts)
2
1 Solar Tracker
0 Static Panel
8:00 am 9:00 am 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 pm2:00 pm3:00 pm4:00 pm5:00 pm
am am pm
Figure 2.3. Power vs. time curve for both stationary panel and solar tracker
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Figure 2.3 shows the comparison of power collection curve for both stationary panel
The total power of stationary panel throughout the day is 10.8352 Watts. Meanwhile,
the total power of solar tracker throughout the day is 18.7098 Watts. Therefore, the average
Legend:
The table 2.1 shows the computed average weighted mean of the acceptability of the
project. It is seen in the question number 1, the number of those who votes on Agree (A) has
the greatest number of votes, means that the constructed solar tracker is effective.
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With questions 3 and 4, the maximum number of votes can be seen on Agree (A) which
implies that the constructed solar tracker is easy to use and can be used when there is a power
outage.
On the question 5, the number of votes between Strongly Agree (SA) and Agree (A) is
1 vote away from each other, means that the constructed solar tracker is in the middle of
All in all, as shown in the average weighted mean of the acceptability of the constructed
solar tracker, the average weighted mean has a value of 3.994 which is located in the interval
of Agree (A) between 3.41 and 4.20 which means that the constructed solar tracker is
acceptable.
Legend:
3 2.34 – 3.00 High
The table 2.2 shows the average weighted mean of the quality of the project. In terms
of the project’s appearance, 23 of the respondents rated the project moderate and has a weighted
mean of 2.23. Therefore, based on the ratings above, the appearance of the project is in
moderate.
30
On the project’s durability, 24 of the respondents rated the project moderate and has a
In performance, High (H) has the most number of votes and has a weighted mean of
Overall, the average weighted mean of the quality of the product is in moderation with
A t-test was used to test the research hypotheses. An alpha level of 0.05 was utilized.
Descriptive statistics are in table 3.1. All groups were normal distributed.
The table 3.1 shows the computed mean and standard deviation from the data gathered
though an experimentation and observation. The mean of the 3 trials is 18.7098 and the
standard deviation is 1.4072. Meanwhile, the mean for the stationary panel is 10.8352.
The computed t-value was 9.6930 and the critical value was 2.920. A statistically
significant difference was evident between the stationary panel and solar tracker, and it is
shown in figure 3.1. The alternative hypothesis is directional. Hence, the one-tailed test is used.
31
The computed test statistics t = 9.6930 falls within the rejection region. Therefore, the
null hypothesis, Ho : μ = 10.8352, is rejected and the alternative hypothesis, Ha : μ > 10.8352,
is accepted. Using a 0.05 level of significance, there is sufficient evidence to conclude that the
average energy being stored by the solar tracker is more than 10.8352 Watts – the average
Advantages
The main advantage of using the solar tracker is it increases the availability of solar
Disadvantages
This chapter presented the summary of the findings, conclusion, and recommendations
Summary
The need for electrical power is drastically rising thus, making the researchers to search
for alternative way of producing energy that is not harmful to the environment. This study
aimed to answer the questions on how solar tracker efficiently collect more energy, determine
the acceptability and the quality of the project in terms of its: a) Appearance, b) Durability, c)
Affordability, and d) Performance, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of the
project.
Electricity plays a vital role in our daily living. However, in recent years, the rising
demand for electricity has become a national and global concern. Oil supply conflicts, fossil
fuel depletion, and concerns about dangerous gas emissions all increased. Power outages
Solar panels are one of the alternative ways to produced energy, but because of its
nature being fixed or stationary, solar panels do not produce maximum output of energy. With
these issues at hand, the researchers developed a project which can provide a maximum output
of energy from solar panels. In voltage and current reading, the researchers used multimeter.
To test the effectiveness of the project, the researchers distributed questionnaires in the
municipality of Labrador and Lingayen. Based on the data and Results gathered, the project is
Conclusion
The constructed solar panel is successfully designed, built, and tested. It indicates that
it is possible to develop an accurate automated solar tracker. The project produces more energy
than a stationary solar panel which indicates that it is effective and efficient to collect more
energy. Considering all above aspects, the researchers therefore concluded that there is a
significant difference on the amount of energy being stored by the solar tracker.
Recommendation
The recommendations given were based on the conclusions of the research conducted.
2. The researchers recommend to explore more related studies to improve the project’s
efficacy and reliability. Related studies on this research will help develop and innovate more
3. For other designs of the project, researchers recommend to use durable materials.
4. Researchers recommend to use bigger motors which holds and rotates the solar panel
in place.
34
Reference List
[2] Prabodh and S. Kumar, "Design, development and performance test of an automatic
two-Axis solar tracker system," 2011 Annual IEEE India Conference, 2011, pp. 1-6,
doi: 10.1109/INDCON.2011.6139586.
[3] V. S. S. Kumar and S. Suryanarayana, “Automatic dual axis sun tracking system using
LDR sensor”. International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, vol. 4,
no.5, pp. 3214-3217, 2014, doi: 10.14741/Ijcet/4/5/2014/22.
[4] Peter Amaize, Adoghe Anthony, Awosope Claudius, Idiake Stanley Uzairue. “ Arduino
Based Solar Tracking System For Energy Improvement Of Pv Solar Panel”.
ResearchGate.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328389970_Arduino_Based_
Solar_Tracking_System_For_Energy_Improvement_Of_Pv_Solar_Panel. (accessed
May 6, 2021).
[6] Myo Thaw And Melanie Li Sing How. “Dual-Axis Solar Tracker: Functional Model
Realization and Full-Scale Simulations.” Web.wpi.edu. https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-
project/Available/E-project-042513-161626/unrestricted/Solar_MQP_Report.pdf
(accessed May 6, 2021).
[7] Sandipan Paul, Debasis Kumar Das, Sourav Basak. “Dual Axis Solar Tracker”.
Rcciit.https://www.rcciit.org/students_projects/projects/ee/2018/GR1.pdf?fbclid=IwA
R07GHplhB8xU_EJwQ4-Jcaq33oynn1Zr-xWW_ay85gdTZ6AIA039zGgw-o.
(accessed May 5, 2021).
[8] T. Zhan, W. Lin, M. Tsai and G. Wang, "Design and Implementation of the Dual-Axis
Solar Tracking System," 2013 IEEE 37th Annual Computer Software and Applications
Conference, 2013, pp. 276-277, doi: 10.1109/COMPSAC.2013.46.
[9] E. Malicdem. “Optimal Tilt of Solar Panels in the Philippines”. Research Gate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320685573_Optimal_Tilt_of_Solar_Panels_
in_the_Philippines (accessed May 5, 2021).
35
[11] F. S. Peñarroyo, “Renewable Energy Act of 2008: Legal and Fiscal Implications to
Philippine Geothermal Exploration and Development,” Proceedings World Geothermal
Congress, April 2010.
[12] Roland Centeno December 17, 2018. Submitted as coursework for PH240, Stanford
University, Fall 2018 (http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2018/ph240/centeno1/).
[13] Ycot T., Tiansing J. V., Aliganga M., Chong R., and Obiso J.-J., “Integration of Specular
Reflector in a Dual Axis Solar Tracker”, RMRJ, vol. 5, no. 1, Oct. 2017.
doi:https://doi.org/10.32871/rmrj1705.01.01
[14] Morón, Carlos; Ferrández, Daniel; Saiz, Pablo; Vega, Gabriela; Díaz, Jorge P. 2017.
"New Prototype of Photovoltaic Solar Tracker Based on Arduino" Energies10, no. 9:
1298. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10091298.
[15] Mirafe R. Prospero, Neil P. Balba, Ricky V. Bustamante, Gerby R. Muya, “Solar
Energy Harnessing Optimization Algorithm in a Robotic Solar Tracker with Arduino
Based Monitoring System”. International Journal of Innovative Technology and
Exploring Engineering, vol. 8, no.10, pp. 2278-3075, August 2019, DOI:
10.35940/ijitee.I7541.0881019.
36
APPENDIX A:
Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region 1
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE 1 PANGASINAN
Lingayen
LABRADOR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
May 28,2021
Noted:
APPENDIX B
Region 1
SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE 1 PANGASINAN
Lingayen 1
May 28,2021
Dear Respondents,
We, the researchers of Grade 12 STEM from Labrador National High School are
inviting you to participate in a research study through conducting a survey for our Capstone
Project entitled "Rotating Solar Panel: Automatic Solar Tracker".
Your knowledge, concerns, and response are sure help for us in achieving our goal.
Rest assure that all the information that we would gather from you will be treated with
outmost confidentiality and it will be used for academic purposes only. No one, other than the
researchers, will know your individual responses to this questionnaire and will remain
anonymous.
We are hoping that this request would merit your positive response. We sincerely
express our thanks for accepting our concerns.
Researchers:
APPENDIX C: Questionnaire
The purpose of this survey is to find out the acceptability and level of the quality of the
solar tracker. To insure confidentiality, writing your name is optional.
Name (Optional):
School/Address:
Directions:
Questions SD D N A SA
1. The constructed solar tracker is effective.
(Ang binuong solar tracker ay epektibo)
09063666882
___________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PROFILE
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Citizenship: Filipino
Height: 5'2
Weight: 49 kg
___________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary Education
___________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER REFERENCE
Signature
42
09998762906
___________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PROFILE
Age: 17
Sex: Male
Citizenship: Filipino
Height:5’5
Weight: 56 kg
___________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary Education
___________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER REFERENCE
Signature
44
09062634812
___________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PROFILE
Age: 18
Sex: Male
Citizenship: Filipino
Height: 5’7
Weight: 60kg
___________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary Education
___________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER PREFERENCE
Signature
46
09177472281
___________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PROFILE
Age: 17
Sex: Male
Citizenship: Filipino
Height: 5’9
Weight: 60 kg
___________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary Education
___________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER PREFERENCE
Signature
48
Aldrex Q. Nebrida
09166600349
___________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PROFILE
Age: 18
Sex: Male
Citizenship: Filipino
Height: 5'8
Weight:58 kg
___________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary Education
___________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER PREFERENCE
ALDREX Q. NEBRIDA
Signature
50
09127756540
___________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL PROFILE
Age: 19
Sex: Male
Citizenship: Filipino
Height: 5'3
Weight: 46 kg
___________________________________________________________________________
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Primary Education
___________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER PREFERENCE
Signature
52
APPENDIX E: Documentation
53