Our product will be able to capitalise from the growing Solar Energy industry since as of 2024 the market was valued at $250 billion by the International Energy Agency, the fact that our Solar Tracker will not only be able to automatically track the sun throughout the day through dual-axis instead of single-axis means, will not only be a cheaper and more affordable alternative to mainline Solar Panels particularly with its use of materials, will not only come with a app for data collection, but will also be equipped with a shield designed to protect it from weather elements, all these factors coalesce to provide it with a great advantage in a market that isn’t very varied.
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Team 5 Star
Innovation Fest 2025
About Team 5 Star
UN SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Empowered and Driven:
Delivering Solutions for Global Issues
Affordable and Clean energy – Our product neatly aligns with this UN goal due to the fact that the energy is conserved from the sun, allowing for the energy source of our product to be clean and affordable.
Responsible Consumption and production – The energy source being the sun allows for the consumption of energy to be responsible as it does not cause harm to the environment.
Climate Action – Utilizing clean energy source as a way forward for the society allows for positive action on the environment and in particular the climate as we are using a renewable energy source as opposed to an nonrenewable.
Industry, innovation and infrastructure – This innovation we have unearthed may create a superior niche to the one that currently exists as it may allow for a greater use of the sun in comparison to other solar pannels on the market.
THE STORY BEGAN
DESIGN STORY
Challenges
Organisation as a group
Use Case
Use Case: Overcoming Team Disorganization in a Computer Science Group Project Background: A university team of five Computer Science students was assigned a group project to develop a web-based task management application. The project involved front-end and back-end development, database integration, and deployment. Problem: The team lacked clear leadership, and everyone was working independently without coordination. Some members started coding without a clear architecture, leading to conflicting implementations. Others waited for instructions, unsure of what to do. Version control issues arose, with team members overwriting each other’s work on GitHub. As a result, the project was incomplete and disorganized just one week before the deadline. Solution: Identifying the Issue – After realizing the scattered progress, the team conducted an emergency meeting to diagnose their problems. Assigning Roles – They designated a team lead to coordinate tasks, a GitHub manager to handle version control, and divided work into front-end, back-end, and database tasks. Using Agile Methods – They adopted a simple Kanban board (e.g., Trello, Jira) to track progress and assign clear responsibilities. Setting Up Git Best Practices – They enforced branching strategies (feature branches, pull requests, code reviews) to prevent code conflicts. Regular Sync-Ups – They scheduled daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and blockers. Final Integration & Testing – The last two days were dedicated to merging code, debugging, and testing before deployment. Outcome: The team successfully completed and deployed their task management application on time. They also learned the value of proper planning, version control, and team communication—essential skills for real-world software development.
Solution
Greater communication as a team, as a collective opposed to as individual.
THE PROCESS
PROTOTYPE DESIGN
Our prototype is a solar panel with an automatic tracking system designed to enhance energy efficiency by continuously adjusting its position to follow the sun’s movement. Unlike traditional fixed panels, which lose efficiency as the sun changes position, our system maximizes sunlight exposure throughout the day.
The solar tracker uses light sensors and a microcontroller (such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to detect the sun’s position and adjust the panel’s tilt and rotation using servo or stepper motors. This ensures optimal solar energy absorption from sunrise to sunset. Additionally, the system includes a battery storage unit for continuous power supply and an optional weather sensor to retract the panel in extreme conditions.
By increasing efficiency by up to 30-40%, this technology is ideal for residential, commercial, and off-grid applications, providing a cost-effective and sustainable energy solution.
Online Marketing
Creative agency
Web development
PLEDGE
Impact on the market
Solar panels that spin or rotate to follow the sun—called solar trackers—can generate 25–45% more energy than fixed panels. This makes them ideal for large-scale solar farms, improving efficiency and return on investment.
RESULTS
FINAL PRODUCT
Sunlight Hits the Panel
The panel is made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, usually made from silicon. When sunlight hits these cells, it excites electrons.
Electric Current is Created
The excited electrons move, creating a flow of direct current (DC) electricity.
Inverter Converts DC to AC
Since most homes and businesses use alternating current (AC) electricity, the DC power is sent to an inverter that converts it to AC.
Power is Used or Stored
The electricity can be:
Used immediately to power lights, appliances, etc.
Stored in batteries for later use.
Sent back to the grid (if connected), sometimes earning credits (via net metering).
