Design, development and evaluation of electronic solar tracker: A sustainable energy generation

Abstract

Improving the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems is essential for maximizing renewable energy generation, particularly in off-grid and small-scale applications where energy availability is limited. This study aimed to design, develop, and experimentally evaluate a low-cost Arduino-based electronic solar tracker capable of automatically orienting a photovoltaic panel toward the sun to enhance electrical energy production. An experimental research design was employed to fabricate the tracker using commercially available components, including an Arduino Uno microcontroller, light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors, DC geared motors, and a dual-axis tracking mechanism. The performance of the developed system was compared with that of a fixed-mounted solar panel under identical environmental conditions from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM. Hourly voltage, current, and power outputs were measured, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. The electronic solar tracker consistently outperformed the fixed-mounted system, producing higher average voltage (18.85 V vs. 17.15 V), current (1.50 A vs. 0.93 A), and power output (32.05 W vs. 16.69 W). Statistical analysis confirmed that these improvements were highly significant (p< 0.001) for all measured electrical parameters. The enhanced performance resulted from the continuous alignment of the photovoltaic panel with incident solar radiation, enabling more efficient solar energy harvesting. The findings demonstrate that the proposed electronic solar tracker is a technically feasible and cost-effective solution for improving photovoltaic performance and has considerable potential for application in off-grid, educational, and small-scale renewable energy systems.