Dual-Axis Solar Panel Tracking System

Abstract

The Dual-Axis Solar Panel Tracking System is an advanced solution designed to enhance solar energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting the panel\'s position to follow the sun’s movement throughout the day. Unlike fixed solar panels, which have limited energy absorption due to their stationary nature, this system optimizes solar power generation by enabling both horizontal and vertical adjustments. The system continuously monitors sunlight direction and adjusts the solar panel accordingly, ensuring maximum exposure for higher energy conversion rates. In addition to tracking sunlight, it also monitors environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity, displaying real-time data for analysis and system optimization. The collected solar energy is stored and utilized for practical applications, demonstrating the system\'s effectiveness in renewable energy management. By integrating smart automation and energy storage capabilities, this system not only increases power generation efficiency but also contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions. Its ability to function autonomously with minimal manual intervention makes it a promising technology for solar power applications in residential, industrial, and remote areas.

Introduction

The text discusses a Dual-Axis Solar Panel Tracking System designed to maximize solar energy harvesting by continuously adjusting the solar panel’s orientation in both horizontal (azimuth) and vertical (altitude) directions to track the sun’s movement throughout the day. This automated system uses a NodeMCU microcontroller and four Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect sunlight intensity and control two servo motors for precise panel positioning. It also integrates temperature and humidity sensors for environmental monitoring, with real-time data shown on an LCD screen. The system stores solar energy in batteries and improves overall power output by up to 40-45% compared to fixed panels.

The literature review highlights various existing dual-axis tracking technologies, including IoT-enabled, AI-driven, and FPGA-based systems, all aimed at improving photovoltaic efficiency. Challenges addressed include fixed panels’ limited efficiency, lack of automation, and absence of real-time environmental data.

Mechanical designs typically use rotary actuators and gear mechanisms, while control strategies range from open-loop (astronomical equations) to closed-loop (sensor feedback) and hybrid systems. Sensor types include LDRs and photodiodes, and emerging trends incorporate IoT and AI for smart tracking.

The proposed system is technically feasible, economically viable, operationally autonomous, and environmentally sustainable. It suits residential, industrial, and remote applications by offering scalable, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly solar tracking to support renewable energy growth.

Implementation involves hardware assembly of sensors, motors, and microcontroller, and software programming via Arduino IDE to automate panel movement based on real-time sun position data, validated through testing under varying environmental conditions.

Conclusion

The development and implementation of the Dual-Axis Solar Panel Tracking System have successfully demonstrated its capability to enhance solar energy harvesting. The system effectively tracks the sun’s movement throughout the day, ensuring optimal energy absorption and significantly improving power generation efficiency compared to fixed solar panels. Through real-time adjustments using light-dependent resistors (LDRs),servo motors, and a NodeMCU microcontroller, the system ensures that the solar panel remains at the optimal angle for maximum sunlight exposure. Experimental results confirm that the dual-axis tracking system increases energy output by approximately 25-35%compared to a stationary solar panel. Additionally, the inclusion of a temperature and humidity sensorprovides real-time environmental monitoring, further enhancing the system’s utility. The dual-battery mechanism allows one battery to power the system while the second stores excess energy for later use, demonstrating an efficient energy management approach. The project has also shown that automation in solar tracking systems improves overall reliability and sustainability, making it a viable solution for both small-scale and large-scale renewable energy applications. The system operated effectively in varying weather conditions and responded quickly to changes in sunlight direction, proving its stability and adaptability. However, further enhancements such asAI-based tracking algorithms, IoT-enabled remote monitoring, and power consumption optimizationcould further improve efficiency and scalability. In conclusion, the Dual-Axis Solar Panel Tracking System is a promising innovation in the field of renewable energy, offering a cost-effective and efficient approach to maximizing solar energy utilization. With further refinements, it has the potential to play a significant role in sustainable energy solutions, contributing to a greener and more energy-efficient future.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Abinaya G, Kaviya K, Sudhandira Devi MD, Dr. P. Sivakumar . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.