As a proposal for my final project, I have sketched a compact dual-axis solar panel tracker. Solar panels come in many sizes and configurations. For this project, I would like to explore technologies that maximise the performance of solar panels, in this particular case by designing and fabricating a device that tracks the movement of the Sun.

By aligning with the Sun's position in the sky, the solar beams can hit the solar panel perpendicularly, thus maximising the amount of energy intercepted.

To track the Sun's daily motion from East to West and its seasonal North-South movement, the tracker will require 2 degrees of freedom, utilising actuators or gears that enable movement around the azimuth and altitude axes.

The tracker will require light sensors to detect the Sun´s position, allowing the microcontroller to send signals to the tracking mechanism to adjust it accordingly.

These adjustments can take place at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes, ensuring that both the controller and motors consume minimal energy.

When the Sun sets, the tracker should automatically move to a resting position, and in the morning, when the Sun rises, it should “wake up” and return to its initial position.

I also find it interesting to allow the possibility of receiving data on a smartphone regarding the tracker’s performance and controlling its movements from the device, such as moving it to its resting or initial position.

I believe this device is useful for charging batteries or small devices when there is no access to a main electricity source. Here are some situations where this device could be particularly handy:

• camping
• outdoor events or fair
• Living in or travelling through remote areas
• during power outages
• in disaster zones

Keeping cost and material constraints in mind, the solar tracker should be compact, approximately the size of a PC monitor.

I anticipate that this project will require further research on the types of sensors and actuators to be used. Additionally, I will need to create a detailed CAD model, design and integrate the controller, sensors, and actuators, and determine the most suitable materials and digital fabrication technologies for each component.