Solar Powered Flower Chases The Light
Hannu_hell has ingeniously designed a solar-powered sculpture inspired by nature’s sun-tracking ability found in many plants. This sculpture mimics this light sensitivity to optimize its battery charging, potentially allowing it to operate indefinitely when exposed to adequate sunlight. The centerpiece of this project is a 3D-printed flower with six movable petals mounted on a flexible stem. The leaves of the flower are equipped with solar panels, resembling the photosynthetic process in plants.
At the core of this creation is a Raspberry Pi Pico, complemented by a DS1307 real-time clock and an ST7735 TFT display that shows date and time information. The Raspberry Pi Pico also takes charge of servo motors that adjust the orientation of the flower’s solar panels to track and capture the brightest available light source. To achieve this, the Pico reads data from multiple photoresistors to determine light levels, enabling precise adjustments of the petals.
This innovative project not only showcases a delightful and artistic endeavor but also offers valuable insights applicable to more extensive solar arrays. The ability to harness sunlight efficiently through sun-tracking mechanisms has broader implications for renewable energy systems. If you’re interested in solar power then why not try and solar power your Raspberry Pi with this article!
What you’ll need for this project:
- Raspberry Pi Boards
- 5V Monocrystalline 1W Mini Solar Panel
- SG90 Universal 9g Servo Motors w/ Accessories for R/C Robot / Helicopter – Blue Yellow
- 3D Printers
- Raspberry Pi Pico
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