Abstract—this paper aims to provide a prototype design for future large scale power production to mitigate energy crisis faced by Pakistan these days. The design is based on an inexpensive dual axis heliostat mirror assembly which tracks the sun and concentrates the solar energy at point where thermoelectric generators are installed to produce electrical power. The sensor less tracking of sun and movement of the system is governed by complex astronomical calculations which give the location of the sun at a particular latitude, longitude and time. The system employs accurate gear assemblies and feedback control system to achieve precise and smooth motion required for tracking. Maintenance free software of the system needs only to be configured once. It only has one time manufacturing cost and its maintenance cost is negligible with respect to output of the system. The paper concludes with the accuracy and stability of tracking system for future development usage.

Index Terms—Solar energy, Heliostat mirror assembly, Sensor less sun tracking, Thermoelectric generators, Feedback control theory, Microcontroller implementation

Umar Farooq is with Department of Electrical Engineering, University of The Punjab Lahore-54590 Pakistan (e-mail: engr.umarfarooq@yahoo.com).
Muhammad Salman Tahir is with Department of Electrical Engineering, University of The Punjab Lahore-54590 Pakistan (e-mail:superbsalman@hotmail.com).
Nauman Haider is with Department of Electrical Engineering, University of The Punjab Lahore-54590 Pakistan (e-mail:nauman_haider@hotmail.com).
Hafiz Muhammad Ishtiaq Awan is with Department of Electrical Engineering, University of The Punjab Lahore-54590 Pakistan (e-mail:ishtiaq_awan1985@hotmail.com).
Muzzamil Janjua is with Department of Electrical Engineering,University of The Punjab Lahore-54590 Pakistan (e-mail:jj_4_u@hotmail.com).

Cite: Umar Farooq, Muhammad Salman Tahir, Nauman Haider, Hafiz MuhammadIshtiaq Awan, and Muzzamil Janjua, "Design and Implementation of a Low Cost Dual-Axis Heliostat Mirror System for Power Production Purposes," International Journal of Computer and Electrical Engineering vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 529-535, 2011.