The Team Formerly Known as
NREL 2
Ryan Manning
Eric Simley
Arvind Talukdar
Presentation Outline
Solar Tracker/DE2 Development Project
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Objectives
Approach
Implementation of Subsystems
Logistics
Risks
Extensions
NREL 2
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Overview
 Objectives
 Status
Objectives
Problem: relative movement of the sun
limits the amount of normally incident
light the solar panels receive, thus
restricting absorbed energy
Solution: implement a low-cost peak
power tracker that maintains normal
incidence with the light for optimum
energy conversion
Objectives (cont.)
Develop and document the Altera DE2
board for potential use in ECE courses
Outline of Approach
Mouse
USB
I/O
I/O
Keyboard
USB
Stepper Motors/
Mechanical
Apparatus
Altera DE2 Board
VGA
Monitor/Interface
I/O
Photodetectors
Solar Panel/
Battery
Apparatus
Implementation of Subsystems:
Photosensors
Light absorbed by arrays of photo-sensors mounted on circuit
boards
Localized angle where intensity is strongest will be detected by
the processor. Once the angle of strongest intensity is detected,
system will adjust position of solar panel so light is normal to
panel.
Photo-detector
Arrays
Solar Panel
Photosensors (cont.)
Photodiodes:
 Less expensive
 More Linear
 Bias
Phototransistors:
 Built in Gain, no pre-amp required
Stepper Motors
SureStep Bipolar Stepper Motor
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10.38 lb-in
1.8degree step size
Photovoltaic Cell/Battery
PowerUp BSP 1012 PV Cell
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Max Voltage 17.3V
Max Current .58A (10W)
1.2 Square Feet/4.2 lbs
B B Battery 12V 7AHr lead-acid battery
I/O Header Pins
72 Cyclone II I/O pins connected to two
40 pin headers along with 5v, 3.3v, and
GND
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Used for Photosensors, Motors, and Power
Meter
VGA
Used to display power information to
the user
10 bit Video DAC included on board
USB
Used to control keyboard input
Onboard USB controller chip
Drivers included in DE2 documentation
Division of Tasks
Hardware
 Stepper motor mounting apparatus – Ryan Manning
 Photosensor array – Eric Simley
 Solar Panel & Battery – Arvind Talukdar
 Stepper Motor Driver – Everyone
Software
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USB – Arvind Talukdar
VGA – Eric Simley
I/O – Ryan Manning
Application/Integration – Everyone
Schedule
Risks and Contingencies
Risk: VGA output is inoperable
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Solution: Use onboard LCD to display critical information
Risk: USB input fails to work properly
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Solution: No user input available
Extensions
SD card support
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Data storage
USB mouse drivers
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More advanced user interface
Second stationary solar panel
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Used as a comparison to the tracking panel
Bill of Materials
Item
Quantity
Sub Total
Dev Board
2
150
Solar Panel
2
200
100
200
Battery, 12V
2
68
Solder Boards/Materials
4
120
Stepper Motors
2
60
Photodetector
Misc. Components
Halogen Lamp
TOTAL
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100
1
85
$983
NREL 2
Objective: Create bearing test stand to help
diagnose bearing failures in wind turbine gear
boxes
Status: NREL budget on hold in congress,
currently implementing proof of concept test
stands, developing LabView acquisition
software