Dual Axis Solar Tracker Using Arduino

As the demand for clean and sustainable energy grows, improving how efficiently we harvest solar power has become just as important as generating it. While solar panels are widely used today, many of them remain stationary and miss out on a significant portion of available sunlight as the sun moves across the sky. This limitation makes solar tracking systems an effective solution for maximizing energy capture throughout the day.

This Dual Axis Solar Tracker using Arduino solves that problem by automatically adjusting the solar panel’s position in both horizontal and vertical directions, ensuring maximum sunlight exposure from sunrise to sunset.

Overview of the Dual Axis Solar Tracker System

A dual axis solar tracker is an automated system that aligns solar panel with the sun’s position using two axes of movement: azimuth (left–right) and elevation (up–down). In this project, an Arduino UNO processes light data from four LDR sensors and controls two servo motors to keep the panel facing the brightest light source.

Compared to fixed or single-axis systems, this approach can improve energy output by up to 30–40%, making it ideal for efficient solar harvesting.

Components Used

Hardware

• Arduino UNO
• 4 × LDR sensors
• 2 × Micro servo motors
• Solar panel
• 10kΩ resistors
• Breadboard and jumper wires

Software

• Arduino IDE

How the System Works

The four LDR sensors are placed in a cross arrangement to detect light intensity from all directions. The Arduino continuously compares light levels between left–right and top–bottom sensor pairs.

• If one side receives more light, the corresponding servo motor rotates the panel toward that direction.
• When sunlight is weak or during nighttime, the system enters standby mode to prevent unnecessary movement.

This real-time feedback loop allows the panel to stay optimally aligned with the sun throughout the day.

Advantages of a Dual Axis Solar Tracker

• Higher energy generation than fixed panels
• Automatic daily and seasonal adjustment
• Better morning and evening performance
• Low-cost implementation using Arduino
• Ideal for educational and renewable energy projects

The Arduino-based Dual Axis Solar Tracker using LDR and servo motors is a practical and efficient solution for maximizing solar energy output. By intelligently tracking the sun in both directions, the system significantly improves panel efficiency while using affordable components and simple control logic. This project is an excellent example of how smart electronics and renewable energy can work together for a sustainable future.