Single Axis Solar Tracking System Using Arduino

A
PROJECT REPORT
on
“ SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM USING ARDUINO”

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF

[Link] (Electrical Engineering)

of
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere
By
Dipali Mohite
Sanika Jadhav
Under the Guidance of
Prof. R. S. Pukale Sir

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Shri. Balasaheb Mane Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Ambap’s
ASHOKRAO MANE GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS
FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Vathar Tarf Vadgaon, Dist. Kolhapur

ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025

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 Single Axis Solar Tracking System Using Arduino

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled, “ SINGLE AXIS SOLAR TRACKING
SYSTEM USING ARDUINO ”submitted by Dipali Appaso Mohite and Sanika
Parshuram Jadhv is record of Bonafide work carried out by them, under my
guidance, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of Degree of
Bachelors of Technology (Electrical Engineering) of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Technological University, Lonere for the academic year 2025-2026.

Date: 19/11/2025
Place: AMGOI, Vathar

(GUIDE) (HOD) (Director)

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DECLARATION

We hereby declare that the work which is being presented in the project
entitled “SINGEL AXIS SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM USING ARDUINO”
submitted in the DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING is an
authentic record of our own work carried under the supervision of Prof. R. S.
Pukale. This study has not been submitted to any other institution or university for
the award of any other degree.

Date:19/11/2025
Place: AMGOI, Vathar

Dipali Aappaso Mohite

Sanika Parshuram Jadhav

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It gives us immense pleasure to express our sincere, hearty gratitude for the constant
help, encouragement and suggestions given to us for presenting our dissertation work entitled
“SINGLE AXIS SOLAR SYSTEM TRACKING USING ARDUINO”under the guidance of
Prof. R. S. Pukale Sir. His encouraging guidance enabled us to complete this task.
We are thankful to Dr. S. R. Chougule, Director, AMGOI for continuous motivation
towards our project. We are also thankful to Prof. P. B. Ghewari, Campus Director, AMGOI
for continuously encouraging us. We would like to thank Dr. V. S. Wadkar (HOD) who helped
us to build this project. We extend our thanks to staff members of Electronics &
Telecommunication Department and all our friends who have extended their cooperation for the
completion of this task.
Finally, we express our gratitude to Almighty GOD and our PARENTS who have
inspired & supported us to complete this work, without their support we could not have
completed this task.

Date: 19/ 11/ 2025

Abstract

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The Solar Tracking System Using Arduino is an automatic system designed to improve
the efficiency of solar panels by continuously aligning them with the direction of maximum
sunlight. In this project, an Arduino UNO microcontroller is used as the main control unit, along
with Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) that act as light sensors to detect sunlight intensity from
different directions.
When there is a difference in light intensity between the two LDRs, the Arduino
processes the signals and drives a servo motor to rotate the solar panel toward the brighter side.
Once both LDRs receive equal light, the panel remains stationary, indicating that it is properly
aligned with the sun.
This tracking mechanism ensures that the solar panel always faces the sun throughout
the day, thereby maximizing the amount of solar energy captured and improving the overall
power output efficiency. The system is simple, low-cost, and highly effective for renewable
energy applications. It can be implemented in homes, industries, and educational demonstrations
to promote the use of sustainable energy sources

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Table of contents
1. Introduction
1. Background
1
1. Statement of Problems
2
1. Objectives
3 1.3.1 Specific Objectives
1.3.2 General Objectives
1. Significances and Limitations
4 1.4.1 Significances
Sr. no.
1.4.2 Limitations
Figure name Page no.

1. 2. Literature
Photo ElectricReview
effect in PV Cell
2. Thermal Application of Solar Energy
2. 1I-V Electrical
Curve of Solar cells of Solar Energy
Application
2. Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Solar Cell
3. 2PV Solar
Cells Tracking System
2.
3. 3Pictorial
Methodology
Representation from Solar Cell to Solar
4. 2. Design of Connection
Array
4 System Overview
Hardware Components
5. Software
Design Development
of connection solar tracking system
3.
6. 4. 1LDR Arduino Code / Appendix
(Light Dependent Resistor)
3.
7. 5. 2SG90Results
Servoand Discussion
Motor
3.
8. 6. 3Arduino
Conclusion
UNO and Future Scope
3. Conclusion
4 Future Scope

7. References

6.
1
6.
Table of Figures
2

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Chapter 1: Introduction

A solar tracker is a system that orients a solar panel toward the sun to maximize energy capture.
Since the sun moves throughout the day, a fixed panel cannot generate maximum power. This
project implements a single-axis solar tracking system that follows the sun from east to west
using two LDR sensors and a servo motor controlled. by an Arduino Uno.

1.1Background

When it comes to the development of any nation, energy is the main driving factor.
There is an enormous quantity of energy that gets extracted, distributed, converted and
consumed every single day in the global society. The world population is increasing day by
day and the demand for energy is increasing accordingly. Oil and coal are the main source
of energy nowadays but there is a fact that the fossil fuels are limited and hand strong
pollution. Even the price of petroleum has been increasing year by year and the previsions
on the medium term there are not quite encouraging. Utilization of this resources increases
the emission of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen chloride (HCL), Nitrogen Oxides, and
Sulphur Oxides which are responsible for the global warming and greenhouse effect. This
results the devastating effect in the environment.
With the viewpoint of minimizing above mentioned problems, many researched have
been carried since late 19th century by researchers and engineers. Renewable energy
sources as an alternative to fossil fuel were the major found out. They are derived from
natural processes that are replenished constantly. Renewable energies are inexhaustible

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and clean. The energy comes from natural resources such as sun, wind, tides, waves, and
geothermal heat. Solar energy is quite simply the energy produced directly by the sun. The
history of solar energy is as old as humankind. In general, solar energy is radiant light and
heat from the sun harnessed using a range of technologies such as photovoltaic and
concentrator. In the last two centuries, we started using Sun's energy directly to make
electricity.
With the viewpoint of minimizing above mentioned problems, many researched have been
carried since late 19th century by researchers and engineers. Renewable energy sources as
an alternative to fossil fuel were the major found out. They are derived from natural
processes that are replenished constantly. Renewable energies are inexhaustible and clean.
The energy comes from natural resources such as sun, wind, tides, waves, and geothermal
heat. Solar energy is quite simply the energy produced directly by the sun. The history of
solar energy is as old as humankind. In general, solar energy is radiant light and heat from
the sun harnessed using a range of technologies such as photovoltaic and concentrator. In
the last two centuries, we started using Sun's energy directly to make electricity.
In 1839, Alexandre Edmond Becquerel discovered that certain materials produced
small amounts of electric current when exposed to light. In 1876, When William Grylls
Adams and his student, Richard Evans Day, discovered that an electrical current could be
started field of electricity ranked him alongside Thomas Edison, called the discovery
"scientifically of the most far-reaching importance." This pioneering work portended
quantum mechanics long before most chemists and physicist had accepted the reality of
atoms. Although selenium solar cells failed to convert enough sunlight to power electrical
equipment, they proved that a solid material could change light into electricity. without
heat or any moving parts. Later in 1905 Albert Einstein published the first theoretical work
describing the photovoltaic effect titled "Concerning a Heuristic Point of View Toward the
Emission and Transformation of Light." In the paper, he showed that light possesses an
attribute that earlier scientists had not recognized. Light, Einstein discovered, contains
packets of energy, which he called light quanta. Einstein's bold and novel description of
light. combined with the [1898] discovery of the electron, gave scientists in the second
decade of the twentieth century a better understanding of photo electricity. They saw that
the more powerful photons carry enough energy to knock poorly linked electrons from
their atomic orbits in materials like selenium. When wires are attached, the liberated
electrons flow through them as electricity. By the 1920s, scientists referred to the
phenomenon as the "photovoltaic effect." In 1953, Bell Laboratories (now AT&T labs)
scientists Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin and Calvin Fuller developed the first silicon solar cell
capable of generating a measurable electric current.
The New York Times reported the discovery as "the beginning of a new era, leading
eventually to the realization of harnessing the almost limitless energy of the sun for the
uses of civilization [2]. After years of experiments to improve the efficiency and
commercialization of solar power, solar energy gained support when the government used
it to power space exploration equipment in 1958. The first solar-powered satellite,
Vanguard 1, has traveled more than 197,000 revolutions around Earth in the 50 years.

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Consequently, in 1982 and 1985 first solar parks and retractable RV solar panels are created
respectively. In 1994, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed a new solar cell
from gallium indium phosphide and gallium arsenide that exceeded 30% conversion
efficiency. By the end of the century, the laboratory created thin-film solar cells that
converted 32% of the sunlight it collected into usable energy [3] Due to dedicated research
worldwide, the efficiency of photovoltaics has continued to increase while production costs
have also dropped substantially over the years.
A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell) is an electrical device that converts the
energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. A solar panel is a set of
solar photovoltaic modules electrically connected and mounted on a supporting structure.

1.2Statements Of Problems
In conventional solar energy systems, the solar panels are usually fixed in one position.
Because of this, the angle between the sunlight and the panel changes throughout the day
as the sun moves across the sky. This reduces the amount of sunlight incident on the panel
surface and leads to a significant loss in energy generation efficiency.
To overcome this limitation, there is a need for an automatic solar tracking system that can
continuously adjust the position of the solar panel according to the movement of the sun.
The proposed system using Arduino and LDR sensors aims to detect the direction of
maximum sunlight and automatically rotate the solar panel to that position. This approach
increases the panel’s exposure to sunlight, thereby improving its efficiency and making
solar power generation more effective and reliable.

1.3 Objectives
1. To design and develop an automatic solar tracking system that follows the movement of
the sun using an Arduino microcontroller.
2. To increase the efficiency of solar panels by maintaining their alignment with the sun
throughout the day.
3. To utilize Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) for detecting the intensity and direction of
sunlight.
4. To control the servo motor through Arduino programming for smooth and accurate
panel movement.

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5. To demonstrate a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution for renewable power

generation.
6. To promote the use of automation in solar energy systems for sustainable development.
7. To create a simple, educational model that helps students understand the working of
solar tracking mechanisms.

1.3.1 Specific Objectives

To design and fabricate a dual axis PV system that tracks the sun path.

1.3.2 General Objectives

i To study different solar parameters and methods of harvesting solar energy
ii. To understand the working mechanism of PV module and tracking system.

1.4 Significance and Limitations

1.4.1 Significance-
1. Improved Efficiency:
The solar tracking system ensures that the solar panel always faces the direction of
maximum sunlight, increasing power generation efficiency compared to fixed panels.
2. Renewable Energy Utilization:
Promotes the use of clean and sustainable energy sources, reducing dependence on
fossil fuels.
3. Automation and Innovation:
Demonstrates the integration of automation and sensor-based control using Arduino,
encouraging innovation in renewable energy technology.
4. Educational Value:
Serves as an excellent learning model for students to understand the concepts of
sensors, microcontrollers, and automation in solar applications.
5. Cost-Effective Solution:
The system is low-cost, easy to construct, and can be used for small-scale or prototype
solar tracking setups.
6. Environmental Benefits:
Supports the development of eco-friendly technologies and contributes to the reduction
of carbon emissions.

1.4.2 Limitation
1. Limited Range of Motion:
The servo motor can only rotate within a restricted angle, which may not fully cover the
entire path of the sun.

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2. Weather Dependency:
The system’s performance is affected during cloudy or rainy days when sunlight intensity
is low.
3. Single-Axis Tracking:
The project typically tracks the sun in one direction (East–West); full two-axis tracking
requires additional sensors and motors.
4. Power Consumption:
A small portion of generated power is consumed by the Arduino and servo motor for
operation.
5. Small-Scale Application:
This prototype is suitable for educational and demonstration purposes but needs scaling
and weatherproofing for real-world installations.

Chapter 2. Literature Review

2.1 Thermal Application of Solar Energy

As we know that the sun produces both heat and light energy in the form of electromagnetic
radiation. When it comes to thermal use, it is mainly used for water heating and heat sources to
different types of concentrators for various heat application. This are discussed below:

1) WATER HEATER
Solar water heaters also called solar domestic hot water systems, can be a cost-effective way to
generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use
sunshine, is free.
Working of solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. There are two
types of solar water heating systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls, and
passive, which don't.

I. Active solar water heating systems

Active systems use one or more pumps to circulate water and/or heating fluid in the system.
Though slightly more expensive, active systems offer several advantages. There are two types of
active solar water heating systems:

-Direct circulation systems

Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in
climates where it rarely freezes.

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-Indirect circulation systems.

Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger.
This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing
temperatures.

II. Passive solar water heating systems

Passive solar water heating systems are typically less expensive than active systems, but they're
usually not as efficient. However, passive systems can be more reliable and may last longer.
There are two basic types of passive systems:

-Integral collector-storage passive systems

These work best in areas where temperatures rarely fall below freezing. They also work well in
households with significant daytime and evening hot-water needs.

-Thermosyphon systems.
Water flows through the system when warm water rises as cooler water sinks. The collector
must be installed below the storage tank so that warm water will rise into the tank. These systems
are reliable, but contractors must pay careful attention to the roof design because of the heavy
storage tank. They are usually more expensive than integral collector-storage passive systems.

2) SOLAR CONCENTRATOR
As the maximum temperature of a normal place can vary from 20-40 °C. But we may need
higher temperature for different heating purpose. So, various types of concentrators are designed
to generate a required amount of heat and temperature in a surface. Different types of
concentrators with their temperature production and principle of operation are shown in table.

2.2 Electrical Application of solar Energy

The measure concern about the solar energy is production of electricity from it with the help
of PV cells or solar cells. Different types of solar cells are developed and developing to increase
their efficiency. Different parameters regarding photovoltaic module are described below:

1) PV CELLS

A solar cell is an electronic device which directly converts sunlight into electricity. Light
shining on the solar cell produces both a current and a voltage to generate electric power. This
process requires firstly, a material in which the absorption of light raises an electron to a higher
energy state, and secondly, the movement of this higher energy electron from the solar cell into
an external circuit. The electron then dissipates its energy in the external circuit and returns to the
solar cell. A variety of materials and processes can potentially satisfy the requirements for
photovoltaic energy conversion, but in practice nearly all photovoltaic energy conversion uses
semiconductor materials in the form of a p-n junction:

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Fig 8: Photo electric effect in PV cell

t, and the net current is zero. The voltage required to cause these two currents to balance is called
the in the form of a p-n junction. The basic working can be seen from the fig 7. the basic steps in
the operation of a solar cell are:
-The generation of light-generated carriers.
-The collection of the light-generated carries to generate a current.
-The generation of a large voltage across the solar cell; and
-The dissipation of power in the load and in parasitic resistances.

The generation of current in a solar cell, known as the "light-generated current", involves
two key processes. The first process is the absorption of incident photons to create electron-hole
pairs. Electron-hole pairs will be generated in the solar cell provided that the incident photon has
an energy greater than that of the band gap. However, electrons (in the p-type material), and
holes (in the n-type material) are meta- stable and will only exist, on average, for a length of time
equal to the minority carrier lifetime before they recombine. If the carrier recombines, then the
light-generated electron-hole pair is lost and no current or power can be generated. A second
process, the collection of these carriers by the p-n junction, prevents this recombination by using
a p-n junction to spatially separate the electron and the hole. The carriers are separated by the
action of the electric field existing at the p-n junction. If the light-generated minority carrier
reaches the p-n junction, it is swept across the junction by the electric field at the junction, where
it is now a majority carrier. If the emitter and base of the solar cell are connected (i.e., if the solar
cell is short circuited), the light-generated carriers flow through the external circuit. The ideal
short circuit flow of electrons and holes at a p-n junction. Minority carriers cannot cross a
semiconductor-metal boundary and to prevent recombination they must be collected by the
junction if they are to contribute to current flow.
The collection of light-generated carriers does not by itself give rise to power generation. to
generate power, a voltage must be generated as well as a current. Voltage is generated in a solar
cell by a process known as the "photovoltaic effect". The collection of light-generated carriers by
the p-n junction causes a movement of electrons to the n-type side and holes to the p-type side of

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the junction. Under short circuit conditions, there is no buildup of charge, as the carriers exit the
device as light-generated current.
However, if the light-generated carriers are prevented from leaving the solar cell, then the
collection of light-generated carriers causes an increase in the number of electrons on the n-type
side of the p-n junction and a similar increase in holes in the p-type material. This separation of
charge creates an electric field at the junction which is in opposition to that already existing at the
junction, thereby reducing the net electric field. Since the electric field represents a barrier to the
flow of the forward bias diffusion current, the reduction of the electric field increases the
diffusion current. A new equilibrium is reached in which a voltage exists across the p-n junction.
The current from the solar cell is the difference between It and the forward bias current. Under
open circuit conditions, the forward bias of the junction increases to a point where the light-
generated current is exactly balanced by the forward bias diffusion current "open-circuit voltage".

2) I-V CURVE

The IV curve of a solar cell is the superposition of the IV curve of the solar cell diode in the
dark with the light-generated current. The light has the effect of shifting the IV curve down into
the fourth quadrant where power can be extracted from the diode. Illuminating a cell adds to the
normal "dark" currents in the diode so that the diode law becomes:

I = I0[exp ((QV) / (NKT)) - 1] - IL

where IL = light generated current.

Without the illumination, a solar cell has the same electrical characteristics as a large diode.
When the light shines on the cell, the I-V curve shifts as the cell begins to generate power.
Fig shows the IV- curve of solar cell.

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Fig : I-V Curve of solar cell

Several important parameters which are used to characterize solar cells are discussed below:
i. Short-circuit current

The short-circuit current is the current through the solar cell when the voltage across the solar
cell is zero (i.e., when the solar cell is short circuited). Usually written as Isc, the short-circuit
current. The short-circuit current is due to the generation and collection of light-generated
carriers and it is the largest current which may be drawn from the solar cell.

ii. Open-circuit voltage

The open-circuit voltage, V_{alpha} is the maximum voltage available from a solar cell, and this
occurs at zero current. The open-circuit voltage corresponds to the amount of forward bias on the
solar cell due to the bias of the solar cell junction with the light-generated current. V nifty
depends on the saturation current of the solar cell and the light- generated current.

I–V Curve (Green Curve)

This graph shows how current (I) varies with voltage (V) in a solar cell.
Shape of Curve
Starts high at Is
Slowly decreases

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Becomes zero at Voc

P–V Curve (Yellow Curve)

This graph shows power (P = V × I) with respect to voltage.
MPP (Maximum Power Point)
The peak of the P–V curve
Solar cell gives maximum power at this point

Defined by: Voltage = VMPP, Current = IMPP, Power = PMPP

Maximum Power Point (MPP)

Located where the product V × I is highest.
Solar panels operate at this point using MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controllers.

3) Types of PV CELLS
- Monocrystalline: High efficiency, costly, black color.
- Polycrystalline: Medium efficiency, low cost, blue color.
- Thin Film: Lightweight & flexible, low efficiency.

Also, we can connect cells in parallel for higher charging current. Modules are also being
interconnected either in series or parallel to create what is refer to as an array. Array may consist
of both series and parallel connection, which improves both the system voltage and charging
current.

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Figure 3: Pictorial Representation from solar cell to solar array

2.3 Factors Affecting the Efficiency of Solar Cell

The efficiency of a solar cell refers to how effectively it converts sunlight into electrical energy.
Several environmental, physical, and material-based factors influence the overall performance of
a solar cell. The major factors are explained below:

1. Light Intensity (Brightness of Sunlight) -

A 3V solar cell generates more power when it receives stronger and direct sunlight.
If the sunlight is weak (morning, evening, cloudy weather, or indoor light), the output voltage
drops below its rated 3V.
Higher light intensity → Higher voltage and current
Lower light intensity → Low performance

2. Angle of Sunlight (Tilt / Orientation) -

The efficiency is maximum when sunlight hits the solar cell at a 90° angle. If the cell is tilted
incorrectly, it receives less light.
This is why your project uses a single-axis solar tracker — to keep the solar cell always facing
the brightest direction.
- Angle in Solar Tracking System
In a single-axis solar tracker, the angle refers to how much the solar panel rotates or tilts to
follow the movement of the sun across the sky.

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This angle is important because it determines how directly sunlight hits the panel surface — and
the more direct the sunlight, the more electricity the panel generates.
1. Definition
The tracking angle (θ) is the rotation of the solar panel around one axis (either horizontal or
vertical) to maintain maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day.

2. Types of Angle Movements-

Horizontal Single-Axis Tracking (HSAT):
The panel rotates east to west during the day.
The angle changes from 0° (morning) → 90° (noon) → 180° (evening).

Vertical Single-Axis Tracking (VSAT):

The panel tilts up and down (north-south direction) to match the sun’s height in the sky.
This type is less common in simple Arduino projects.
Your model — with a servo motor — most likely performs horizontal tracking, i.e., it rotates
the panel left and right following sunlight

3. Working Principle
Two LDR sensors (light-dependent resistors) detect the intensity of sunlight on both sides of
the panel left and right following sunlight The Arduino compares these readings. If the left LDR
senses lighter, the servo motor rotates the panel toward the left; if the right one gets lighter, the
panel moves to the right. This continues until both LDR readings are nearly equal — meaning
the panel is perfectly aligned with the sunlight. The servo motor’s rotation angle (usually
between 0° and 180°) determines the direction of tracking.

4. Optimum Angle and Efficiency

The solar panel performs best when the incident angle (between sunlight and panel surface) is 0°,
i.e., sunlight falls perpendicularly on it.
A fixed solar panel can lose 20–25% energy daily due to suboptimal angles.
A single-axis tracker corrects this automatically by adjusting the panel’s angle throughout the
day.

3. Temperature Effect -
Small 3V solar cells also lose efficiency when they become too hot.
High temperature causes: Voltage drop
Increased internal resistance
Reduced output power
They work best at 25°C – 35°C.

[Link] and Quality of Solar Cell Material -

Efficiency varies based on the material used:
Monocrystalline silicon – highest efficiency
Polycrystalline silicon – medium efficiency
Thin-film cells – lower efficiency

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Better quality materials allow more photons to be converted into electricity.

5. Electrical Losses -
- Electrical losses occur due to:
-Internal resistance of the solar cell
-Wiring losses.
-Poor connections.
-Low-quality charge regulators.
-Using good-quality cables and connectors reduces these losses.

2.4 Solar Tracking System

Solar tracking systems are the best devices for maximizing the collected energy by the PV
panel whose purpose is to keep the PV panel perpendicular to the incident solar radiation. The
maximum power can be extracted from the PV panel when the tilt angle of the panel is
synchronized with the daily and seasonal changes of the sun's motions. Many researchers have
proven that solar trackers maximize the PV energy generation (10%-50%). Solar trackers can be
classified, according to tracking mechanisms, into two main types: passive trackers (mechanical
mechanism) and active trackers (electrical mechanism). Passive trackers (PTs) use compressed
gas to move the panel. Depending on the difference in the falling sunlight on gas containers
mounted on the eastern and western sides of the PV panel, a difference in gas pressure is created
and then the tracker is moved until it reaches an equilibrium position. This tracking type is
simple because it works without any electronic controls and motors. However, its accuracy is
limited, and it cannot operate at low temperature. On the other hand, active trackers (ATs) use
electrical components to direct PV panels toward the sun. The advantage of these compared to
PTs is that they have better tracking accuracy. ATs can be classified into two main categories
according to their principle working: astronomical and sensor based solar trackers. Astronomical
solar trackers work based on approaches that calculate the sun's position from predefined
geometric and astronomical equations. However, this tracking approach requires manual
intervention to change the site's latitude, local date, and time zone. On the other side, sensor-
based solar trackers widely use light sensors such as photo resistors (LDRs), photodiodes, solar
cells, pyrometers to follow instantaneously sun's movement. The most used sensors are LDRs in
view of their simple circuit and very low price. These tracking systems use two or four LDR
ensures, depending on the tracking structure.

Circuit Diagram -

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Fig: Circuit diagram of solar tracking system

Circuit Connections
LDR Sensor Circuit
Each LDR acts as part of a voltage divider:
LDR1 Connected between VCC (5V) and AO
LDR2 Connected between VCC (5V) and A1
1kΩ resistor between AD and GND
1kΩ resistor between Al and GND

This forms:
VOC-LDRAO1KQ-GND
VCC-LDR-A1-1kO-GND
Servo Motor Connection
VCC 5V (Arduino)
\Servo GND (Arduino)
Servo Signal (Orange pin) → A4 (used as digital pin)
Solar Panel
3V solar panel is not powering the circuit, it is only being tracked
The output of solar panel can be measured separately if required

Working Principle-
1. Two LDRs sense sunlight intensity.
2. Arduino reads analog values from A0 and A1.
3. If light on left LDR > right LDR servo rotates left

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 Single Axis Solar Tracking System Using Arduino

4. If light on right LDR > left LDR servo rotates right

5. When both values are equal servo stops (panel aligned)
6. This keeps the solar panel facing the sun throughout the day.

Chapter 3. Methodology

3.1 Design of connection

Fig3.1

3.2 System Overview

The solar tracking system uses two LDR sensors to detect the direction of maximum sunlight.
The LDR signals are sent to the Arduino UNO, which compares their light intensity. Based on
this difference, the Arduino controls a servo motor to rotate the solar panel toward the brighter
side. This keeps the panel always facing the sun, increasing its power output.

Purpose of the System

Automatically tracks the sun.
Increases power output compared to a fixed solar panel.
Reduces manual adjustment.
Demonstrates automation and renewable energy control using Arduino.
3.3 Hardware Components

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 Single Axis Solar Tracking System Using Arduino

1)LDR [light

Fig3.2: LDR and variation of resistance with light

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