Mechanical design and experimental performance analysis of a hybrid single-axis photovoltaic tracking system under tropical climate conditions in Nigeria

Purpose The aim of this research is to determine if fixed-tilt photovoltaic (PV) systems have lower energy harvesting efficiency in tropical climates due to changing solar irradiation, cloud cover, and high operating temperatures. However, many modern tracking systems rely on complicated and expensive control design, which limits their use in underdeveloped countries. The aim of this research is to design, fabricate, and test a low-cost hybrid single-axis PV tracking system that combines light-dependent resistor (LDR)-based active tracking with real-time clock (RTC)-based astronomical control to improve PV energy harvesting in tropical environments. Design/methodology/approach A mechanically robust single-axis tracking system was designed and fabricated using locally available materials. The system utilizes a hybrid tracking method consisting of LDR active tracking and time-controlled astronomical calculation with an RTC. A fabricated mild-steel single-axis tracking structure and an ESP32 microcontroller were installed to enable real-time tracking and recording of PV system parameters PV voltages, PV currents and temperature) with battery status notification through an Internet of Things (IoT) system monitoring. A passive temperature regulation system was used to regulate high PV array temperature resistance within a tropical environment, which remains a key factor in improving PV efficiency. Field experiments were conducted in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria over seven consecutive days during the 2025 rainy season at 15 min intervals. Findings The hybrid solar tracking system produced a peak PV voltage of 23.0V, compared to 19.8V for the fixed-tilt system, representing a 17.95% improvement. The system also generated 241.3 Wh/day, compared to 162.7 Wh/day, representing a 48.3 % increase in daily energy production. Furthermore, the solar tracking system lowered peak module temperature by 5.7 °C, resulting in higher electrical efficiency and thermal performance. These findings show that combining sensor-based tracking with RTC-assisted fallback control resulted in more reliable functioning and energy harvesting under various tropical weather situations. Practical implications These findings attest that the proposed hybrid single-axis tracker has improved electric power output and thermal performance characteristics irrespective of the conditions prevailing in tropical environments. The design has immense possibilities for viable implementation in small- to medium-scale solar power installations in developing countries due to its un-complex design and possible integration of local material components. Originality/value This study presents a mechanically simple, low-cost hybrid single-axis PV tracking system specifically developed and experimentally validated for tropical environments. By integrating LDR-based active tracking, RTC-assisted backup control, IoT-based monitoring and passive thermal management into a single architecture, the proposed system offers an effective and practical solution for improving PV performance in small- and medium-scale solar installations, particularly in developing countries.