Troubleshooting a Simple Sun Tracking Device: Tips and Solutions

[tina-duncan]

Hi friends!

I have recently started a small project where I had hoped to build a simple sun tracker.
My initial plan involved 2 Photovoltaic cells mounted at either end of a panel which was attached to a shaft which was then attached to a small DC motor. Both cells were hooked to the motor and initial testing with a small torch was successful; when light hit the left cell the motor would rotate clockwise and vice versa for the right cell.
My problem arises when i attempt this using sunlight, put simply nothing happens, my guess is that there simply is not enough of a discrepancy between the cells to cause an effect.
So my question, is there a way I can alter the system or add some sort of component in some way to fix this problem?

Thanks,

Tina D :)

 

[schip666!]

Without seeing the whole setup I think you are probably right about not getting enough signal difference. You could try putting some kind of shade over the photocells such that the sun has to hit the cell at a slight angle before it does anything. Or maybe a tube aimed at the sun which limits the angle of incidence.

 

[Bob S]

Are you talking about longitude (time of day, East-West) tracking? Are the two photocells directly facing the sun, or are they partially shadowed by the edges of the panel or baffles so that a panel East West pointing error causes a change in the sunlight hitting each photocell? Does your setup account for overnight (sundown-to-sunrise) pointing error? Please post a sketch of setup if possible.

Bob S