Sun tracker software

Written by: Adrián Sarok – 2009.jan.06

But it would be good if it stood next to my house ...

Thanks to my interest in alternative energies, I was thinking about how to calculate the current position of the day relative to earth. As a result, I wrote this solar tracking software (later also for microcontroller), which can control, for example, a parabola mirror with a dark (matt black) heat exchanger in its focal point, or even producing warm water in the winter. In the focus point, a Stirling engine could be set up, but it could only be powered by daylight. As soon as the financiers let me realize the parabola mirror, I wrote the control program, which is described below.

The software is for private use, and in all other cases a separate license / agreement is required.
It is forbidden to modify, sell, use certain parts of the program and to violate any copyright law.

The simplest, time-consuming electronics just look at the direction the sun is shining ... I do not think I need to explain it over and over in the cloudy weather. My solution automatically calculates where the sun is shining and the mechanics after setting the latitude and date and time. So there is no unnecessary "whipping", which is also energy.

The two completed programs:

PC (can drive parabola through the printer port),
Also with the microcontroller (ATMEGA 32) (Slightly out of date since 2009 in Ver.32C)
An improved microcontroller type with ATMEGA32 (2012 Ver.32N)

The last update of the DOS software: 18 Jan. 2009
Version: 1.02

If we are wondering just how fast the sun is, we can still start the program ...

- The operation of the DOS program:
In the light of simplicity, I first wrote a DOS program running on almost any computer (I was thinking of a p1 laptop). The disadvantage is that a computer (with about 15-50 watts of consumption) runs 24 hours a day for 1000-3000Ft per month for the electricity bill.
The microcontroller type is therefore more profitable in the long run (consumes only 1-2 watts).

- The operation of the microcontroller circuit:
After setting the system time and date, you must adjust the latitude (default: Budapest is about 47.5 degrees).

The exact value can be determined using Google Earth or online with Google Maps or you can use GPS as well.
Enter the value next to the north hemisphere of the globe ("N" = North). In the south, enter the number next to (S = South), but minus!

The picture shows the latitude of the area around Budapest.

There is a further difficulty that a degree of degrees can be found after the degree, so the stroke should be multiplied by 5/3 (1.6666).
Thus Budapest 47 ° 30 'on Google Map, but 30' multiplied by 5/3 = 50; So the exact value is 47 ° + 50 ° C = 47.5 °.
The incremental seconds are no longer to be taken into consideration, as this would only be a few tenths of a second in the angle of view of the sun.

Recommended structure:
If you want to use the sunscreen in a significant part of the year, you must place it in a sun-well location.
As far as possible, it is recommended to install on a rooftop (flat top) any location free of shading.
It is important to shape the support frame so that the plate can stand upright to the ground. This is necessary because the program automatically turns the parabola back to the ground as the sun goes down. This is also important for the protection of the hive.

Downloads:

The DOS software can be downloaded here: NAPJARAS.RAR (- only 24kB)
The encoder dial in PDF: Jelado.pdf

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