Mirror Reflection: Tracking Sunlight with Arduino

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    Mirror Reflection
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implementation of a heliostat system using Arduino to track sunlight and adjust a mirror's angle accordingly. Participants explore ideas for programming and mechanical setup, focusing on how to maintain a specific reflection angle throughout the day.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their setup involving two RC motors to control a two-dimensional mirror and seeks advice on programming it to reflect sunlight at a specific angle.
  • Another participant suggests starting with drawings and example settings to understand angle variations.
  • A participant identifies the system as a heliostat and provides a Wikipedia link for further information.
  • Additional resources are shared, including links to the NREL and a specific Arduino heliostat project.
  • Concerns are raised about the original poster potentially expecting others to complete their project for them, prompting a call for personal responsibility in the project work.
  • The original poster clarifies their intention to seek information rather than a complete solution and requests that personal judgments be avoided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the identification of the project as a heliostat and the need for further exploration of programming and mechanical design. However, there is disagreement regarding the expectations of the original poster, with some feeling that they seek too much direct assistance.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the specifics of the implementation and the level of guidance appropriate for a school project. There are also varying interpretations of the original poster's requests for help.

Poor_student
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Hi

I have build a setup where there are two RC motors to drive a mirror which is 2 dimensional. I have been thinking to write a program in Arduino such that after tracking (from solar tracker which i already made) the sunlight , the mirror should always be reflecting on a desired angle no matter where the sun is. I am trying to think of any ideas how this could be implemented. But I could not get anywhere, I hope i could get some advice on this. I am thinking to start with horizontal axis only for the moment. so how could this be implemented. If the Sun rises from East and sets to west I want the mirror to reflect on a specific angle all day, say its 30 degrees for example.
 
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Poor_student said:
Hi

I have build a setup where there are two RC motors to drive a mirror which is 2 dimensional. I have been thinking to write a program in Arduino such that after tracking (from solar tracker which i already made) the sunlight , the mirror should always be reflecting on a desired angle no matter where the sun is. I am trying to think of any ideas how this could be implemented. But I could not get anywhere, I hope i could get some advice on this. I am thinking to start with horizontal axis only for the moment. so how could this be implemented. If the Sun rises from East and sets to west I want the mirror to reflect on a specific angle all day, say its 30 degrees for example.

It seems like you need to start with some drawings, and then do some example settings to see what kind of variation you get in the angles.
 
Yes, I couldn't get that word heliostat in my head. Sorry, for my english.

Any ideas on how to implement it ? And I am using Arduino
 
Well that wikipedia link I posted pretty much tells you what you need to know. Another source would be the NREL.

http://www.nrel.gov/

A simple search for arduino and heliostat brought up:

http://www.solbot.at/

a little digging can answer your questions.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
scutterbob said:
Well that wikipedia link I posted pretty much tells you what you need to know. Another source would be the NREL.

http://www.nrel.gov/

A simple search for arduino and heliostat brought up:

http://www.solbot.at/

a little digging can answer your questions.

Very good posts scutterbob. I'm starting to get the feeling that the OP wants us to do their project for them...

We can point you to information sources, Poor_student, but you need to do the work on your school project.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
berkeman said:
Very good posts scutterbob. I'm starting to get the feeling that the OP wants us to do their project for them...

We can point you to information sources, Poor_student, but you need to do the work on your school project.

I was looking for some one to give me some information, not for some one to give me a solution. Please don't judge. Thank you

No personal comments please...
 

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