Solar Tracker
Students build a dual-axis solar tracker using sensors, motors, and Arduino code. One axis follows sunlight automatically, while the other is manually controlled, combining electronics, coding, and mechanical design.
- High School
In this hands-on control systems project, students step into the role of solar engineers to develop a functional dual-axis solar tracker using ProjoTech’s special kit (RayBot). They begin by assembling or, optionally, designing and 3D printing the mechanical parts for the tracker. The system includes two axes of movement: the elevation axis, controlled automatically through a light sensor to follow the sun’s vertical path, and the azimuth axis, controlled manually via a user-operated button to adjust the horizontal orientation. Students integrate sensors, motors, and an Arduino microcontroller to bring the system to life. They program the logic for light detection and motor control by writing and uploading Arduino code. The final steps involve testing, adjusting, and evaluating the performance of the tracker. This project gives students a deep dive into robotics, electronics, renewable energy, and real-world control applications—all while exploring how solar tracking can maximize the efficiency of solar panels.
For more Information:
For more Information:
- Detailed Project Plan following the Engineering Design Cycle for a High school.
- Assessment Criteria for each stage with level descriptors.
- Aligned with American Standards and practices (NGSS, CCSS, & ISTE)
- RayBot Kit with instructional video.
- Access to the Basic ProjoTech App on any web browser.
- Digital Resources and worksheets are allocated to different tasks.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide.
- Supporting Documents: The fully tested code and 3D model of the tracking system are ready for printing.
- List of required tools and devices in the school.
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