Arduino Based Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System

Chan, Jia Xuan (2025) Arduino Based Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System. Final Year Project (Diploma), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The project that this paper is presenting is about preparing, building, and testing a powerful solar tracking system that is controlled by an Arduino dual-axis so as to be able to harvest solar energy more effectively. Solar power, as a renewable source of energy, ought to be employed along with optimization techniques, one of which is to achieve a maximum energy yield. The use of solar panels that are only stationary, which is the traditional fixed-position method, is frequently accompanied by a notable loss of efficiency as they cannot keep up with the movement of the sun throughout the day. Therefore, the project set the goal of having a dual-axis tracking system; the newly developed one is an intelligent system that can directly control the movable parts which are the azimuth and elevation angles of the solar panels so that they are always facing the sun. The proposed system relies on four light-dependent resistors (LDRs) with two SG90 servo motors as well as an Arduino Uno microcontroller for acquiring the data from the sensors and taking the control of the motors. The 3D-printed PLA material was used to make a highly-resistant and very lightweight support structure, considering the material's mass, price, and environment-friendliness. The system determines the best possible panel orientation for the existing light intensity discrepancy indicated by LDRs and effectuates the change of position to fit the requirements of the condition. The system was tested by observing its performance under different light source angles (30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°), and it was found to have high tracking accuracy though minorly influenced by mechanical factors, such as the response time of the moving parts.The tracker's performance is in most instances very good, but there are slight deviations at 60° and 90°. It is highly likely that the reasons for these minor gaps are sensor calibration and mechanical backlash. Moreover, the experiment underlines the significance of the sun as an energy source in Malaysia and unpacks the ecological advantages of following the moving sun instead of installing panels with a fixed position. Besides, by the use of elements that are low in cost and a straightforward degree of control, the fabricated system becomes an embodiment of a practical solution in the quest for solar energy harvest, a fact that reinforces the nation's alternative energy target, and the technology of sustainable innovation.