Solar Tracking for Automation of Irrigation System

Solar energy is considered the most important form of renewable energy resource, as the sun is the main source of energy for our planet Earth. Solar tracking makes sure the sun’s rays are always projected at an angle perpendicular to the solar panel. The main aim of our project is to increase the quantity of energy generated from the solar panel by using an automated Solar tracking system to capture the maximum radiation of the sun i.e., the maximum intensity of the sun’s rays. Our proposed system consists of the development of an automated water pumping system with the help of solar tracking. The proposed method increases efficiency. The power generated from a solar panel is stored in a battery and the power is sent to the water pump only when the soil is dry, this happens with the help of a soil moisture sensor. The solar panel rotates with the help of a DC motor and light-dependent resistor sensors. This is a low-cost project with the embedded system to produce electrical energy from the solar panels by using a microcontroller and sensors light-dependent resistors, where the power required for the automation of the tracking system and the working of the microcontroller is given by the electrical energy which is produced from the sun itself. In rural areas where there are several power cuts, this project can be very useful for the supply of water where the required power is given to the motor from the battery which is charged by the solar panel from its maximum intensity of light which can be tracked by the tracking system.


1.
Introduction Nowadays the need for renewable energy is growing rapidly due to increased demands.In the present time, most of the energy is generated using non-renewable energy sources.84.5% of total power generated is from fossil fuels, Biofuel, and Nuclear.These non-renewable resources are limited in nature, so once they are finished it will take millions of years for them to form again and the use of these fossil fuels leads to heavy pollution and an increase in the surface temperature resulting in global warming.To reduce the use of these fossil fuels, the usage of renewable resources came into existence.These renewable resources are freely available in nature.Now there is a substantial growth of interest in the generation of energy from regular natural resources like Solar PV, wind, geothermal, and ocean energy.Solar PV panels convert the sun's energy into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.These Solar panels consist of semiconductor materials.Silicon is the major component used in Solar panels, which is highly efficient.To generate the maximum energy from the solar panel the usage of the Tracking system is necessary.To guarantee even grazing, ample water supply is needed in isolated areas.In 1285 (2024) 012020 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1285/1/012020 2 developing nations like India, the most popular and admired use of solar energy is for water pumping.The suggested technique is dependable, straightforward, and needs less upkeep.Due to a lack of electricity, many communities in India employ water pumping systems based on fossil fuels for irrigation.Fossil fuels produce dangerous greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which causes significant environmental harm.In this study, we suggest that these villages adopt an automated water pumping system using solar power in terms of cost and profit.Additionally, this is environmentally friendly and can save a lot of water.This is done with the help of a microcontroller that is specifically programmed to detect the sunrays using sensors like Light Dependent Resistor and move the DC motor to an angle where the solar panel can receive the maximum intensity of sunlight.30 RPM DC motor is used so that it is controllable and rotates the solar panel with a speed that is suitable for the tracking system.Using a single channel relay that is powered by a DC battery, the water pump is linked to it.since we utilize a DC water pump that is powered by a DC power source.A sensor called soil moisture sensor is one of the sensors used in the water pumping system that detects water levels and transmits a signal to a microcontroller for the water pump to be controlled automatically.Water pumping systems in agriculture, gardens, schools, and public spaces may now be automated thanks to this.By doing so, we can cut back on manpower while still using resources effectively.

References
This work has discussed the implementation of a low-cost power efficient Solar Tracking and Auto-Irrigation system by changing the direction of the solar panel concerning the position of the sun.A soil moisture sensor is used for moisture detection in the soil and sends the signal to the microcontroller to start the water pump using the electricity generated from the solar panel which is stored in the battery.The microcontroller simultaneously transmits a message regarding the state of the pump to farmers' mobile devices through GSM.The microcontroller receives data from a data-gathering device about the status of the pump, the soil's moisture level, and the temperature and moisture in the air or an enclosed area [1].An Automatic sun tracking system by the solar panel using an open loop method has been analyzed and designed such that the maximum amount of sunlight is tracked and electricity is generated.It is designed such that the sunlight falls on the solar panel at an angle of 90 degrees to the solar panel.An altitude-based open loop system is used where the PLC stores all the position of the sun according to time, such that the tracker takes the coordinates of the sun from the PLC and align the solar panel in that direction.The electricity generated from the solar panel is increased by 5-8% where it can be stored in the batteries and used later [2].
In this study, an autonomous irrigation system incorporating temperature and humidity sensors is powered by a photovoltaic off-grid solar system.To keep the solar panel constantly perpendicular to the sun's light, the LDR sensors are utilized to track the sun's position and move the solar panel accordingly.The ISIS program creates and simulates a control algorithm.At the laboratory level, a dual-axis suntracking system and a microcontroller are used to build an automatic watering system [3].This specific article examines the effectiveness of solar panel output produced with and without the use of a solar tracking device.Servo motors connected to the Arduino microcontroller, which receives the signals from the LDR sensors, are used to build a basic dual-axis tracking system.When everything is in place, a system called Automated Solar Tracking is created [4], in which PV panels are automatically adjusted to the position of the sun.This research paper is based on a project that balances the solar panel according to the sunlight angle.As the sun moves from east to west during the day, the angle at which the solar rays hit the solar panel also changes, this changes the efficiency of the solar panel.An LPC2148 module is used to control a DC motor based on the signals received from an RTC (Real Time Clock).This Real Time Clock sends the position of the sun to the ARM LPC2148 processor and this processor in turn sends the signal to the DC motor attached to the solar panel which moves the solar panel to the most efficient position [5].This particular paper uses the help of Arduino and Ultrasonic sensors to complete the automation.This helps to reduce the use of external sources.The solar panel is used to generate power by absorbing the sun's rays.A solar charging circuit is used to charge the battery with the help of the solar panel.This particular project consists of a single-dimension rotation of the solar panel [6].
The sun tracking in a single axis has been effectively used in this research.This system is automated because the water pump system senses the amount of water in the water tank and, depending on the signals it receives, controls when to turn on and off the water pump.It also makes use of an RFID system.A tag and a reader are the two independent parts of an RFID or radio-frequency identification system.This system uses electromagnetic waves to send signals and communicate.This results in reducing water wastage and reducing electricity consumption [7].The fundamental structure of this project can be divided into two electrical circuits.The first circuit uses the power from the solar panel to charge the battery and the second circuit consists of the sensory network that is required in the system.Both the motors in the system are Motor to control the solar panel and the submersible pump respectively.These two motors are controlled separately with the help of the motor driver.This particular paper explains that the work to make the system automatic is by the use of an Arduino Uno board.A GSM module is also connected to make this process connect to a mobile phone [8].

2.
Aim and Objectives The objective is to design an automated irrigation system to favor the farming sector.In the proposed model the power used by the water pump is generated through the Solar Panel.The power is stored in the battery if the motor is not running.The automated water pumping system consists of soil moisture that senses the water moisture level and signals the water pump to either turn on or off.In this way, the usage of power and water can be used effectively.The solar panel generates power through the radiation from the sun's rays, but this generated electricity is not constant due to the change of angle of attack of the sun rays on the panel.To overcome this problem, we use a Solar Tracking System so that the angle of attack on the panel is close to constant.To produce the most power, the solar panel automatically adjusts itself depending on the location of the sun.

3.
Solar Tracking System Solar photovoltaic panels are directed toward the sun using a solar tracker.During the day, the surface of the module in solar tracking systems continuously tracks the sun's location.The tracking system significantly improves the system's efficiency.The given system is mainly divided into 2 parts namely the solar tracking system, and the water pumping motor system which are controlled by the ARM LPC2148 microcontroller.A light-dependent resistor, a DC motor, and a solar panel comprise the Solar Tracking System, which is the initial component of the system.Solar tracking is carried out using a light-dependent resistor that is managed by an ARM LPC2148 board, and the panel is turned in response using a DC motor and controller L293D.
The lead-acid battery is used to preserve the constant voltage that was collected from the panel and will eventually be used in a pumping system.This led to the development of an automated water pumping system that also has relay protection.The solar panel's two ends are connected to these light-dependent resistors.The ARM LPC2148 will choose which way the DC motor will rotate based on the amount of light received by the light-dependent resistor.The panel is then connected to the DC motor.So, the DC motor and solar panel are both rotated by ARM LPC2148. Figure 1 depicts the block diagram of the proposed solar tracking system.A battery, a soil moisture sensor, and a DC water pump make up the system's second component.To measure how much water is present in the soil, a soil moisture sensor is employed.The solar energy is captured, stored, and then supplied to the DC water pump through a battery.

Solar panel.
A solar panel is primarily made up of multiple Photovoltaic cells that are assembled into modules.These Photovoltaic cells are composed of silicon, a semiconductor material that is typically coupled in parallel or series to produce additional current or voltage.When sunlight reaches the photovoltaic cell in the solar panel, electrons in the cell gather energy and jump out of the atom, causing an electrical current to flow.The energy is drawn from the solar panel in a way that maximizes energy capture and storage in rechargeable batteries.For this project, a 12V, 1.3Ah lead acid battery is used.For improved performance, battery maintenance is necessary.The battery may become hot if it is overcharged, and if it is overcharged, the battery's lifespan will gradually shorten.We employ a solar charge controller to prolong battery life and improve battery performance.Figure 2 shows the solar panel model and Table 1 presents the parameters of the solar panel.

Figure 2. Solar Panel
Light-dependent resistor, which is controlled by a programmed ARM LPC2148 board, measures the intensity of the sunlight striking the solar panel.The ARM LPC2148 also controls the water pump relay circuit in the parallel case.The water pump is then powered by the energy.Pumps are mechanical devices that transport water content, and they are most frequently employed to irrigate water to the ground.In the project, the soil must be automatically watered based on levels detected by sensors that measure soil moisture.A device known as a charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from the solar panel to the necessary battery.By preventing the batteries from being overcharged during the day, which may harm them, these charge controllers protect the batteries.Between the batteries and the solar panel are these charge controllers linked.They also ensure that the power from the batteries does not flow in the reverse direction from the battery to the solar panel.Some of the charge controllers are available with extra options such as lighting and load control, but the main job of any charge controller is to manage the power.A solar charge controller is available with two different types, PWM and MPPT.This depends on how they manage power.MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking, while PWM is for Pulse Width Modulation. Figure 3 represents the charge controller of the solar panel.Working Model and Result The Solar tracking system increases the Output from the solar panel by adjusting the solar panel with respect to the sunlight.The direction of the sunlight is tracked by the Light Dependent Resistor sensors which give the signal to the ARM LPC2148 controller which gives the signal to the L293D the motor driver to move the motor in the direction of the sunlight.The charge controller makes sure that the battery is not overcharged and displays the output voltage.The battery is recharged by the solar panel.The power from the battery is used for the working of the ARM LPC2148 controller, Light Dependent Resistor sensors, Motor driver, and DC motor.The hardware framework model of the proposed system is given in Figure 4.The Soil Moisture Sensor, embedded in the soil, continues to monitor the water moisture level.When the sensor determines the water level is low in the soil, the relay protection circuit that is present in the system, powered by the rechargeable lead acid battery, activates the water pump.The sensor detects when the water level in the soil reaches its peak and then immediately stops the pump.The rotation direction of the solar panel and the moisture content in the soil is displayed by the LCD shown in Figure 5.The power supply to the DC motor is given through the L293D motor driver.The relay breaks the power supply to the water pump by the signal given from the soil moisture sensor through the LPC2148 controller.These are the key benefits of the suggested system.This system provides water to plants through the use of sensors that measure soil moisture in the field.Additionally, using a solar-powered device eliminates the need to use this sustainable power source.This renewable energy source produces almost little to no waste, such as carbon dioxide or other poisonous substances, therefore it has little impact on the environment.The suggested framework regulates how much water is issued for the irrigation system in agricultural areas.In this approach, the burden of paying an additional water charge to farmers is lessened significantly.In addition, this controlled water system reduces movement and circulation issues at the field level and saves extra money on water pumping.

5.
Discussions The solar tracking system was successfully implemented in this project.The LDR sensors are used to track the sunlight and determine the orientation and position of the sun.The direction of the motor's rotation about the location of the sun is determined by the pre-programmed ARM LPC2148 microprocessor.This results in the sun's light being directed perpendicularly, so that its beams are parallel to the solar panel.The solar tracking system aids in improving the solar panel's efficiency.To get over the solar panel's intermittent and variable nature, the boost converter boosts the voltage of the power produced by the solar panel.With the aid of the solar charger circuit, a steady DC voltage of 12V is produced.The 1.3Ah rechargeable battery holds the energy that the panel produces.The charge controller stops the battery from being overcharged or overcharged.Later, a water-pumping automation system was put into place.This system senses the water level in the soil through a soil moisture sensor by measuring the moisture content in the soil and is set up to automatically turn on and off the pump based on Moisture level using an ARM LPC2148.Solar energy is generated through tracking, which boosts its effectiveness and enhances its usefulness.Solar energy is abundant and environmentally benign.Electricity and water are saved because of the automated water pumping system.No human interaction is needed as the system is fully automatic.The system is designed such that it can run the water pump efficiently and can be installed anywhere where sunlight is abundant.

6.
Conclusions Since non-conventional energy sources are becoming less and less popular, solar energy has become more and more popular.A solar tracking system will allow those who live in distant places to meet their electricity needs because the sun is the most affordable form of energy.This paper demonstrates the construction of an automated water pump with renewable energy, we have built a solar-based power source that can store the extra power when the pump is not in use.This is achieved with the help of the ARM LPC2148 microcontroller light light-dependent resistor and Soil moisture sensor.With the help of this project, we can reduce the use of fossil fuels that are used to produce electrical energy, we have also reduced the use of manpower with the help of automated water power.This is advantageous in the long run.It may be expensive in the initial stage but helps in the long run.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. LCD Display showing the results of the moisture state of the soil

Table 1 .
Solar Panel Parameters 3.2 Solar Charge Controller.