Abstract

This paper presents the research, design, and construction process of an automatic dual-axis solar tracking system model to optimize solar energy collection efficiency. The system utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller as the central processing unit, receives environmental optical signals through a matrix of four photoresistors (LDRs), and precisely controls the mechanical mechanism through two servo motors. Specifically, the mechanical part of the system is modeled in detail using SolidWorks software to optimize kinematics and test durability before fabrication. The hardware structure is designed with a cross-shaped partition to create shading differences, helping the algorithm compare light intensity and accurately position the light source direction. The system is programmed in C/C++ on the Arduino IDE platform, applying analog signal noise filtering algorithms to minimize motor oscillation. Experimental results demonstrate that the system operates stably, tracking the light source with a high accuracy of ±1.5◦ and a fast response time of approximately 2.3 seconds. Furthermore, the dual-axis mechanism increases the harvested energy by an estimated 18% to 25% compared to conventional fixed-tilt systems. These quantitative improvements prove the substantial application potential of the model in smart renewable energy systems.

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