Design and Manufacturing of a Single Axis Solar Tracking System

In light of the current global climate crisis, it is essential to transition from fossil fuel consumption to renewable energy sources. Among these options, solar energy stands out as the most environmentally friendly choice due to its minimal ecological footprint. However, a key challenge is effectively harnessing enough solar energy for technological applications, which requires the use of solar tracking methods. This study applies the Duffie–Beckman model to a north-south single-axis tracker with continuous adjustments. The system incorporates a DC motor actuator, a rotary encoder, an Arduino Nano, and a Real-Time Clock (RTC) module for automated tracking. Testing conducted in Benin City, Nigeria, revealed that this setup achieved approximately 20% higher power output compared to a fixed panel system. These findings emphasize the potential of this approach to enhance the adoption of renewable energy and combat climate change.In light of the current global climate crisis, it is essential to transition from fossil fuel consumption to renewable energy sources. Among these options, solar energy stands out as the most environmentally friendly choice due to its minimal ecological footprint. However, a key challenge is effectively harnessing enough solar energy for technological applications, which requires the use of solar tracking methods. This study applies the Duffie–Beckman model to a north-south single-axis tracker with continuous adjustments. The system incorporates a DC motor actuator, a rotary encoder, an Arduino Nano, and a Real-Time Clock (RTC) module for automated tracking. Testing conducted in Benin City, Nigeria, revealed that this setup achieved approximately 20% higher power output compared to a fixed panel system. These findings emphasize the potential of this approach to enhance the adoption of renewable energy and combat climate change.