Automatic solar tracking system used for irrigation

Abstract

Choice of proper methods is always important in the field of irrigation. By indulging the optimum methods, we can ensure maximized yield from the field. In this era of sensors and technological development, it is the ripest time to involve these advancements in this domain as well. Water being one of the most precious resources, it is never to be wasted. Again sunlight which is such an abundant resource must be utilized. The method we put in this paper correlates two different techniques viz. measuring water content in a field and employing solar power to drive motors for running submersible pumps as and when required. Adding on to these we have developed an arrangement so that the solar panels can track the orientation of the sunlight and adjust themselves accordingly. The unique feature of the proposed system is that instead of taking the earth as its reference, it takes the sun as a guiding source. Active sensors constantly monitor the sunlight and rotate the panel towards the direction where the intensity is most. The light dependent resistors do the job of sensing the change in the position of the sun. An electro mechanical arrangement aligns the panels accordingly. The entire set up is controlled by an Arduino Atmel AVR microcontroller which will trigger the relays as and when required. The expectations agree to great extent to the desired efficiency.