International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Ch Ashok Rao, M Vignesh, R Chaitanya Charan, S Akshay, DR.G. Suresh Babu
Abstract: This paper presents the design, implementation, and experimental validation of an Arduino Uno-based dual-axis solar tracking system augmented with comprehensive environmental monitoring and an integrated. Conventional fixed-mount photovoltaic (PV) installations suffer from significant energy losses due to the continuous angular displacement between the sun's position and the panel's fixed orientation. The proposed system employs four light-dependent resistors (LDRs) arranged in a quadrant configuration to sense differential irradiance and drive two servo motors that continuously orient a 10 W PV panel toward maximum solar incidence in both azimuth and elevation axes. Real-time environmental data—ambient temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation—are acquired via a DHT11 sensor and a rain-detection module, enabling adaptive operational modes and hardware protection. A 16×2 LCD module provides a local human-machine interface for instantaneous parameter display. An H-bridge-based DC-AC inverter topology converts the harvested DC energy to a 50 Hz, 220 V AC output suitable for resistive domestic loads. Experimental trials conducted between 08:00 h and 17:00 h under varied atmospheric conditions demonstrate an average energy-harvest improvement of 35–40% over an identically rated fixed-tilt panel. Motor actuation consumes approximately 0.4 W, yielding a net efficiency gain that validates the economic and technical viability of active solar tracking. The system architecture is further extensible toward IoT-enabled cloud monitoring and machine-learning-driven predictive fault detection, establishing a robust foundation for next-generation smart renewable energy nodes.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20075286
