A Power Efficient Mobile Solar Tracking System Laura-Mihaela Leluţiu 1 , Carmen-Mihaela Lungoci 1 , Marius-Daniel Călin 1 , Marcian Cirstea 2 1 Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics Department, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania 2 Computing and Technology Department, Anglia Ruskin University, UK laura.lelutiu@unitbv.ro, lungoci@unitbv.ro, marius.calin@unitbv.ro, marcian.cirstea@anglia.ac.uk Abstract – This paper is concerned with a portable automatic solar panel, mounted on a mobile trailer. The benefits of a mobile solar panel versus one mounted in a fixed position are highlighted. The paper focuses mostly on the efficiency of the solar panel, in relation to the sunlight angle with respect to the panel surface. The results of the analysis performed demonstrate the higher efficiency of the panel mounted on a sun tracking device with quantifiable differences reported in the paper. Keywords: solar energy, photovoltaic panel, solar tracking system I. INTRODUCTION Nowadays, a large amount of energy is still produced from traditional fossil fuel sources such as oil and coal, which cause pollution and are damaging the environment in longer term. The modern trend in energy/electricity production is aligned to a move towards more sustainable renewable energy sources such as solar (photovoltaic) and wind energies [1-3]. The project tackled by the paper concentrates on the use of solar energy to generate electricity. In more detail, this is concerned with the design and hardware development of a portable automatic solar panel, mounted on a mobile trailer. Such PhotoVoltaic (PV) panel can be moved according to needs, the range of applications including: work sites, chalets, firework emergency sites, camping sites or other sites in need of electricity supply. The panels can be also used in tandem with batteries, in conjunction with diesel engines, or linked to the power grid. The most important challenges for the efficient operation of solar panels are linked to the weather conditions, the sunlight incident angle on the panel surface, and the high initial investment (development/setup costs) [4,5]. Solar panel applications are predicted to constitute a future boom in the industry, especially because other energy sources are polluting and they are being diminished constantly, leading to an inevitable exhaustion. In the meanwhile, their prices are seeing a significant increase [6, 7]. The overall efficiency of the electricity generated from a photovoltaic panel can be improved in relation to the mobile trailer carrying it and the position and angle of solar panel [8]. This paper approaches the efficiency of the solar panel with respect to the incident angle of the sunshine on the panel. The analysis performed quantifies the performance difference between a fixed position PV panel and one linked to a sun tracking device, thus demonstrating that they are noticeable. The motivation and research work led to the design of a highly efficient, portable and cheap automated solar panel power supply system, capable of providing the energy needed to sustain the automatic system and some small power consumers. The general requirements established at the project were: to develop the solar tracking system for maximum efficiency; to build the prototype for easy use and simple and safe transportation; to test the differences between a solar tracking system and fixed solar panel. A prototype was built, easy and convenient to use, with simple and safe transportation, in order to test and measure the differences between a mobile solar tracking system and a fixed solar panel. Its mobility had to be balanced against the intended efficiency, so it is important that the panel rotates after the sun light in order to get a satisfying power output. II. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION Several software packages have been used in this project. LabView and Solidworks were used for the simulation, while Arduino IDE and Fritzing (used for sketching the circuit diagram) were used for designing the schematic and programming the Arduino microcontroller board (Fig. 1); LabView software is useful for any measurement or control system development. This visual programming language is easy to use and can program an Arduino board or even motions in Solidworks [9, 10]. For the construction of the Solar Tracking Device, the following equipment has been used: the trailer build using the schematics made in Solidworks, the Eco Source Power Panel with its battery, an Arduino board, two Servos. The Eco Source Power Panel has: maximum power of 5W, sizes of 285×185×25 mm, maximum voltage of 18 V, maximum current of 0.277 A, short circuit current of 21.6 A. The rechargeable Battery Mindtech MRD 1240 has: constant voltage charge, cycle use of 14.6V - 14.8V (25°C), standby use of 13.7 V - 13.9 V (25°C), initial current less than 1-2 A, rated capacity of 4 Ah, rated voltage of 12 V, mini cycle number of 1200, service temperature of -20° - +60°C. The Servo Motor is an Analog Servo - HD - 1501MG type, a metal-geared analog servo from Power HD that delivers extra-high torque normally associated with much more expensive or larger servos. Fig. 1. Arduino Uno Rev3 microcontroller board view