Assignment – Project Introduction and Background (1500-2000 words)
Project Overview:
The project is a sun tracking solar panel. Its mechanism is that it is single axis and rotates with the sun (i.e. it rotates only in one direction). It consists of two Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) connected to the solar panel on each end. When one of the LDR gets more light than the other the panel rotates such that both LDRs get approximately same amount of light, thus rotating with the sun.
The panel itself is connected to a stepper motor, and that motor is connected to the microcontroller (mbed in this project) through a motor driver IC. The energy harnessed from the panel is fed to a DC-DC converter to charge a pair of rechargeable NiMH AA batteries. This project aims at building a miniature sun tracker employing the above mentioned components.
Writing requirements: Following is a guide for the writing and the required topics.
-Introduction: Highlighting the introduction and short background of the solar technology and its uses.
Highlighting non-renewable energy currently being used and introducing solar energy as a
solution to these problems (answering why this project is needed).
Focusing on different fields and applications of solar energy, as opposed to other
renewable energy sources.
Advantages and disadvantages of using solar energy.
Should include some literature review.
Should include at least one related picture to the writing.
Note: It should start wide and focus quickly on solar panels being used for energy.
-Background: Should provide information on different types of sun trackers including; Chronological,
Manual, Passive and Active (this is the one being used in this project) Trackers.
Highlighting advantages of active trackers as opposed to others.
It should include what this project is about and its scope (highlighted in the overview; that
is a single axis active sun tracker and it will charge two batteries – expand on this).
Focusing that this project aims to build a miniature working system.
Should include at least one picture related to the writing.
Note: The background should mainly discuss scope and reason of this project.
-Referencing: The proper referencing format required is Harvard.
All statements, ideas, figures, tables of others should be referenced.
Try to avoid websites, focusing more on articles and journals.
Note: This is a part of a formal technical report and should include the formatting fitting this nature. Interested parties should contact me on my email with their quotations at [email protected]
