Design and Implementation of Dual Axis Solar Tracker Using Arduino

Abstract

The increasing demand for renewable energy has made solar power one of the most important sustainable energy sources. However, the efficiency of a solar panel largely depends on its orientation with respect to the sun. Fixed-position solar panels cannot continuously face the sun throughout the day, which results in reduced energy harvesting. To overcome this limitation, this project presents the design and implementation of a Dual Axis Solar Tracker using Arduino. The system automatically adjusts the position of the solar panel to track the sun’s movement along both horizontal and vertical axes. Light-dependent resistors (LDRs) are used to detect sunlight intensity, while an Arduino microcontroller processes the sensor data and controls servo motors to achieve accurate panel alignment. By continuously orienting the solar panel toward the direction of maximum sunlight, the proposed system significantly improves solar energy utilization compared to fixed-panel systems. The project demonstrates a low-cost, efficient, and practical approach to solar tracking that can be effectively applied in small-scale renewable energy systems and educational applications.