I am starting a new project for a dual axis solar tracker and would like to know if you can somehow embed the "suncalc" javascript into an arduino type kit or board. I'm very new to this.
I'd use suncalc to provide the arduino with the position of sun and the arduino would drive a couple of 24 vdc 5A brushed or brushless motors (not sure) through one or more motor controllers (and H bridge(s)).
Tracker position would be provided to the arduino with a magnetometer (with accelerator) and a gps.. The suncalc program is in javascript (I don't know if this is an issue for a compiler).. The sun obviously needs to shine directly on the tracker with relatively high accuracy.
An input into the arduino would also use an anemometer to help protect the tracker in high winds.. maybe above 25 or 30 mpg (haven't done the calculations, yet) and position the tracker in the horizontal position.
I'd also like to be able to operate the trackers manually both locally and over cat5...or something.
It's something I've been thinking off and on for awhile. I'm not sure if arduino is the best way to go forward...in some ways it's probably easiest for me since I know nothing about programming and there is a lot of code out there that is free, as is the suncalc program.
If it can be figured out well enough, at some point I'd like to get data off the communication bus (assuming I2C or SPI??) through some additional instrumentation. For example; power produced, solar incidence, ... and I've got all sorts of other ideas so the communications should be able to be expanded to other capabilities.
I'd use suncalc to provide the arduino with the position of sun and the arduino would drive a couple of 24 vdc 5A brushed or brushless motors (not sure) through one or more motor controllers (and H bridge(s)).
Tracker position would be provided to the arduino with a magnetometer (with accelerator) and a gps.. The suncalc program is in javascript (I don't know if this is an issue for a compiler).. The sun obviously needs to shine directly on the tracker with relatively high accuracy.
An input into the arduino would also use an anemometer to help protect the tracker in high winds.. maybe above 25 or 30 mpg (haven't done the calculations, yet) and position the tracker in the horizontal position.
I'd also like to be able to operate the trackers manually both locally and over cat5...or something.
It's something I've been thinking off and on for awhile. I'm not sure if arduino is the best way to go forward...in some ways it's probably easiest for me since I know nothing about programming and there is a lot of code out there that is free, as is the suncalc program.
If it can be figured out well enough, at some point I'd like to get data off the communication bus (assuming I2C or SPI??) through some additional instrumentation. For example; power produced, solar incidence, ... and I've got all sorts of other ideas so the communications should be able to be expanded to other capabilities.