Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Smart Energy (ICAIS-2022)

IEEE Xplore Part Number: CFP22OAB-ART; ISBN: 978-1-6654-0052-7

Arduino based Dual Axis Solar Tracker

Akash Singh, Swapnil Adhav, Anirudha Dalvi, Atharva Chippa, M ilind Rane
Vishwakarma Institute of Technology Pune, India.
2022 Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Smart Energy (ICAIS) | 978-1-6654-0052-7/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICAIS53314.2022.9742876

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract—Our life is dependent on various forms of energy. Chhoton shows that an inflow map of the working of a system
S olar energy is one of the renewable sources of energy generation and detailed information about connectivity of components and
and does not leave any harmful residue waste, making it clean. It their functions can be obtained. In [3] proposed by SUSCOM
can be smoothly exercised by using solar photovoltaic (PV) contains the development and design of dual axis solar panel
panels. But it is observed that most of the solar panels are placed tracking system & the co mparison of dual axis solar tracker
at fixed angles. To achieve the maximum duration of incident compared to fixed position solar tracker in terms of
solar energy collected by a solar panel, the solar tracking device
performance. In [4] Dr. P. Karuppusamy has proposed the
is used to position the solar panel facing the sun throughout the
Monitoring System for the electrical devices using the BLynk
day, improving the performance ratio of the system. This
framework. Here, the architure of the proposed system is
research paper covers the development and design of dual -axis
solar panel tracker & practical study of dual-axis solar tracker shown with the help of different layers and also a proper flow
compared to the defined solar panels in terms of performance for the Blynk Platform creation process. In this paper, the
improvement. S olar energy is rapidly growing in importance as a hardware system is connected with different types of home
source of renewable energy. Heat and light are the two basic electrical appliances like lights, switching plugs in several
types of solar energy. The environment transforms and absorbs heavy electrical appliances. It has controlled the operations
sunlight and heat in a variety of ways. The purpose of this paper fro m both the sides as it has an in-built reset button for
is to offer methods for collecting solar energy in more amounts as resetting the switch. Hence The mu ltiple control option enables
compared to the traditional method. the connected hardware system to work fine. In [5] proposed
by Subarna Shakya the IoT hardware board is connected with a
Keywords—Solar tracking, single axis, dual axis, Light solar power station for transferring the observed signals to the
Dependent Resistor (LDR), Servo motor, Arduino, Solar panel cloud environment for the data mining process. Here the
comparison is done between the solar generated power and the
I. INT RODUCT ION previously generated power for the same sun light radiation in
By using Photovoltaics (PV) solar cells, electrical energy the data mining process and if any change is observed in the
can be generated from solar energy. These cells are made of power generation values the signal gets sent to the maintenance
silicon silver crystalline panels that deliver maximu m team for further action. Also, the current sensor, voltage sensor
performance when facing the sun perpendicularly to capture and the ldr’s have been connected to the microcontroller so that
the maximu m light possible. So, to maximize the conversion , if any changes are observed can be easily noticed. In [6]
the dual-axis tracker is built which is used to follo w the proposed by gives all the information about the needed factors
direction of the sun throughout the day. Solar tracker positions and specifications of tackle demand. In [7] proposed by
the plane of solar panel with help of light detection by LDR, Sumaiya Maheen Binte Hoque gives the detailed comparison
motion through motors, and control through microcontroller about the single axis solar tracker and the dual axis solar
board like Arduino boards. The servo motor moves the solar tracker like the flow charts difference, circuit d iagrams, the
panel according to LDRs where it has the same amount of light setup for both single and dual axis tracker also the overall
intensity on all the resistors and if there is a change in one or structure and finally the performance testing. In [8] proposed
more of the LDR’s then it moves towards the lower resistance by Singh Neeraj an idea about the rendering part and a brief
LDR’s. With the same size of the solar panel, it is possible to word about the electronic factors is shown. In [9] Bhagwan
generate more electricity over time by increasing time when the Deen Verma gives the brief information about the Solar
solar panel gets sunlight, this could be achieved by changing Tracking System for Photovoltaic Power Plant in wh ich the
the position of the panel as such the light falls perpendicularly Solar tracking fundamentals, photovoltaic technology then
on the panel for the majority of the time, solar tracker helps to about the solar module and some interesting terms like Sun
do this following task. Dual-axis solar tracker can rotate the Path, Azimuth, Altitude Angle and Solar Irradiance can be
solar panel around the horizontal and vertical axis learnt. Along with this the different types of tracking system
simultaneously about 180 maximu m. Dual-axis trackers track and the methods of tracking system are also explained much
the sun along all the sides and give the maximu m power output. well and finally get to see about the algorithm and the
advantages of the solar tracking system. In [10] Wang,
II. LIT ERAT URE REVIEW Hao xiang elaborates upon the use of co mplex energy systems
In [1] Siddhi Vichare proposed that the system consists of a and benefits renewable sources of energy. It provides a
servo motor which provides motion actuation for the plane of simulation of a prototype of integrated renewable energy called
LDR and solar panel all together according to microcontroller PLA NET. It uses various types of renewable sources like CHP
commands, consisting of three types of tracking mainly active, plants, P2G p lants, photovoltaic plants, etc. The project depicts
unresistant and chronological tracking. In [2] proposed by C. how integration of IoT and M2M technology can help in

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 Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Smart Energy (ICAIS-2022)
IEEE Xplore Part Number: CFP22OAB-ART; ISBN: 978-1-6654-0052-7

energy generation. In [11] proposed by K. Rajan gives detailed 1. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR):
information about the solar figure and solar angles and also the
LDR of 10kΩ is used. LDR is a non-polar component and
different types of solar tracking ways. In [12] author Deekshith
K proposed the difference between single axis solar tracker and has a passive nature. It decreases its resistance depending upon
light received on the sensitive surface of the component. Use of
dual axis solar tracker and showed the perfect inflow map of it.
four LDR is made, each separated by another with help of a
In [13] Anshul Awasthi, the different types of PV system and
storage system which are classified into three main types and plastic wall of LDR stand in the mount, to detect the direction
of light abundance and convey it to the Arduino board. The
then the brief information about the different systems and types
like about the Grid tied or grid Direct PV System, Off Grid PV tracking sense of the LDR co mes from the change in voltage
because of the change of resistance.
System and grid interactive system then further the
Classification of solar tracker on different basis like on the There were different options for selecting light sensors like
basis of control system used , on the basis of driving system photodiodes or phototransistors. But LDR(Photoresistor) was
used , based on degree of freedom and based on tracking the best choice to use. Phototransistors don't work pretty well
strategies and also their further classification in it and this when it comes to detecting low light conditions but this is not
classification is also shown with a perfect chart. In [14] the case with LDR, they work pretty well in all conditions.
proposed by Barsoum N describes Process of designing the LDR is a bidirectional resistor on the other hand compared to
model using AutoCAD and the process of development of the photodiode which is a unidirectional resistor that will not be
prototype of the dual axis solar tracker. This uses proteus effective with the dual-axis system, making LDR a preferred
software to simulate Arduino based dual axis solar tracker. It choice and LDR works on analog values other than photodiode
elaborates on the tracking process of LDR and its voltage which works with two values only either on or off. All these
output. considered factors make LDR the most preferred choice out of
Photodiode or Phototransistors for the system. Figure 2 shows
III. M ET HODOLOGY/EXPERIMENT AL the Light Sensing Unit: LDR.
A. Theory
Define Solar Tracker is a device used to track light. Solar
tracking is to change the position of the panel concerning the
Sun. And Classification of So lar trackers is based on their
performance and cost. With the help of a tracking system, 40-
50% more light can be captured than a basic fixed panel. And
compared to Single Axis Tracker, the Dual A xis Tracker has a
much better efficiency of around 48%. Dual A xis Tracker's
main advantage is to capture any position of the Sun in the sky
even with seasonal variations which makes it an all-season
solar tracker. Figure.1 represents the solar tracking system used
conventionally.

Fig. 2. LDR: Light Sensing Unit

2. Servo motor:
Micro Servo SG90 servo motor, which operates on a DC
voltage of 4.8V~6V, is used in the prototype. It has a speed of
0.15sec/60 to 0.12sec/60. The servo motor is a rotary actuator
and can define precise angular position, velocity and
acceleration when integrated into sensors for position feedback.
It can rotate at a maximu m angle of 180. Here, the two servo
motors are used perpendicular to each other, to simultaneously
define the position of LDR and photovoltaic cells in the
horizontal and vertical plane, to face the sun along with all the
directions with control. The requirement of a 4.8V motor is
recommended, powered by PWM output by Arduino. Figure 3
Fig. 1. Dual axis solar tracking system
represents the servo motor used for rotating the solar panel.
The main aim of this proposal is to provide better efficiency
of solar tracking.
B. Materials & Components
To develop this model of the dual-axis solar tracker panel
prototype alongside general connectivity helpers like a
breadboard, ju mper wires, resistors, potentiometer these
following electronic components are used.

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 Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Smart Energy (ICAIS-2022)
IEEE Xplore Part Number: CFP22OAB-ART; ISBN: 978-1-6654-0052-7

Fig. 5. Arduino Uno R3 used in the system

5. Potentiometer:
Two potentiometers of 10kΩ are used for manual
Fig. 3. Servo Motor: For rotating the solar panel controlling of each of two servo motor speeds and directions.
The potentiometer has three terminals, positive, negative and
3. Solar panel: wiper. It is a type of rheostat that can be used as regulators. The
The solar panel in the prototype is of small size. To receive potentiometer used in the prototype is 25 turns control. Figure
solar energy and to convert it to electrical energy in the form of 6 shows the used potentiometer.
electricity. The use of a small solar panel of 5V is made in this
model, with a performance ratio near 73%. Figure 4 shows the
solar panel used in the system.

Fig. 6. Potentiometer used for manually controlling the servo motors

C. Software
1. Tinkercad:
To execute the working of the circuit we've got used a 3D
modelling program, Tinkercad. It helps to form a circuit and
simulate it. It's easy to simulate a circuit by employing a
Fig. 4. Solar panel used in the system
required C/ C++ language code. Tinkercad was a great platform
to work on as all of the people at once can work on it without
4. Arduino Uno R3:
any issue. With all working together it was easy to understand
Arduino Uno R3 is a programmable and easily accessible and explain it well to all the concerned people. And as the
microcontroller board supported by ATmega328P. The LDR Arduino text-based language used in it is very similar to C/C++
and potentiometer signals here are conveyed through analog making all the simulations to handle and understand easily.
ports and the two servo motors, through digital ports. A 5V
2. Arduino IDE:
power port is used for the current supply in the entire circuit.
Arduino Software, which is an IDE, is employed to put in
It has 20 digital i/o pins where 6 of them can be used as
writing code and upload it to the Arduino board. Arduino
PWM outputs and another 6 can be used as analog inputs.
language is very similar to C/ C++ language so it is very simple
Arduino computer program makes it easy to load programs on
to use. No different software is used for Arduino language,
it. With the help of the extensive support community of
embedded one in Tinkercad is used for making it work.
Arduino, it becomes very easy to get started on working with
embedded electronics. These are all of the reasons it makes it
the best microcontroller to use for building the solar tracking
system. It has a new serial-to-USB circuit wh ile previous
versions were based on Atmega 8U2 and this one is based on
Atmega 16U2. R3 is the third and latest version of the Arduino
UNO, making it the most viable microcontroller to choose.
Figure 5 shows the computing device Arduino Uno R3 used in
the system.

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 Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Smart Energy (ICAIS-2022)
IEEE Xplore Part Number: CFP22OAB-ART; ISBN: 978-1-6654-0052-7

D. System Implementation: V. RESULT S A ND DISCUSSIONS

Figure 7 represents the proposed Solar Tracking System.

Fig. 7. Block Diagram of the proposed Solar T racking System.

The Algorithm wh ich has been used to make the system

work effectively is based on the Coding of Arduino. As the
LDRs are used just to detect the light it’s the Arduino that Fig. 9. Experimental Setup for the Solar T racking System.
gives the signal or info for the servo to move in the effective
direction. The whole algorithm for the working of the system is The solar tracking system works efficiently by tracking the
based on the light detected by different LDR used. Servo sunlight through photovoltaic panels rotating along a different
Motors are set to an initial position for the time being. The axis as shown in the figure 9. The commands to the
analog values of LDR are read by Arduino, calculating the microcontroller are g iven through motors for taking the sensor
average values and finding the differences of these values input. A signal is sent to the microcontroller after LDR sensors
based on azimuth and elevation method. Based on that, sense the sunshine. All the signals received from LDR sensors
wherever the Arduino has the highest value of light detected are compared by the microcontroller and on the basis of
makes the servo motors move in that direction. The actual stronger signal servo motors rotate in the required direction.
circuit diagram for the Imp lemented Solar Tracking System is Servo motors are working fine by rotating to detect light and
as shown in Figure 8. tracing the light perfectly. The device is working as required
and it can be further evolved to absorb the detected energy and
that energy can be further used.
Analog reading of each LDR is recorded. Co mparison is
made between average values in opposite directions to decide
how the servo motors will move. This results in the tracker
facing in a position at which each LDR will receive equal light.
The movement of the motor is given in TABLE 1.
In the imp lementation of large solar panels with solar
tracking systems, large servo motors are used to move a set of
solar panels. Here the tracker reacts to sunlight and sets itself in
a direction where the sunlight falls directly perpendicular to the
solar panel. The delay of loops in this system is greater than the
delay used in the prototype, as the sunlight direction changes
Fig. 8. Circuit Diagram of the Implemented Solar T racking System.
slowly throughout the day. Without a solar tracker, the sunlight
received on solar panels will not be consistent, reducing the
IV. COMPARAT IVE A NALYSIS OF DUAL A ND SINGLE A XIS power generation. With a solar tracker, the panels could follow
SOLAR TRACKER the sun from east to west, maximizing the capture of sunlight.
The dual-axis solar t racker's structure is made up of two
servo motors, a photovoltaic panel with stands, and a body that TABLE I. MOVEMENT OF MOTOR
holds the panel in position and receives input from four LDR.
A single-axis solar tracker is made up of one servo motor, a LDR Position Movement of Motor
photovoltaic panel with stands, and a body to hold the panel in LDR1 Left Horizontal motor-
place and receives input from t wo LDR inputs. It has been clockwise
found that a dual-axis tracking system produces more power LDR2 Top Vertical motor-
and is a more efficient system for collecting solar energy, clockwise
resulting in greater energy conversion than a single-axis
LDR3 Bottom Vertical motor-
tracking system. The efficiency of the single-axis tracker fro m
the experiment was 25% more than the fixed solar panel ands anticlockwise
the dual-axis solar tracker's overall efficiency is 43.65% higher LDR4 Right Horizontal motor-
than that of the fixed solar panel. anticlockwise

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 Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Smart Energy (ICAIS-2022)
IEEE Xplore Part Number: CFP22OAB-ART; ISBN: 978-1-6654-0052-7

Dual A xis Solar Tracker proves to be an optimal solution for

taking advantage of available solar energy.
Figure 10 shows the mounting positions of LDR in the
Solar tracking system. REFERENCES

[1] Siddhi Vichare, Neelam Vartekar,

Taki Kunjumon, Sonali Sakhare, 2017,
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[2] C. Chhoton and N. R. Chakraborty, "Dual axis solar tracking system -A
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[5] Shakya, Subarna. "A Self Monitoring and Analyzing System for Solar
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VIII. CONCLUSION [15] https://www.instructables.com/Simple-Dual-Axis-Solar-Tracker
The proposed dual-axis solar tracker system will increase [16] https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/ldr-photoresistor-photo-light-
sensitive-resistor-light-dependent-resistor-21105369062.html
energy-saving substantially as it tracks the daily as well as the
[17] https://components101.com/motors/servo-motor-basics-pinout-datasheet
periodic movements of the sun. The gain of solar radiation by
implementing a dual-axis solar tracker is more as compared to [18] https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/solar-panel-3v-200-ma-for-
students-project-10971658455.html
the single-axis tracker and locked system. Hence enhancing the
[19] https://www.azurefilm.com/en/arduino-uno-r3

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