Dual Axis Solar Tracking with IoT-Based Load Monitoring System

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a low-cost, efficient dual-axis solar tracking system integrated with an IoT-based load monitoring platform. The system utilizes Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to detect the sun's position, an Arduino Nano microcontroller as the central processing unit, and DC gear motors to orient a solar panel for maximum irradiance capture. A significant efficiency increase of 25-30% was observed compared to a fixed-tilt system. Furthermore, the system uses a real-time IoT module (ESP8266) to monitor electrical parameters, including voltage and current consumption of connected loads, via a web server. Data is displayed locally on a liquid-crystal display (LCD) and distantly on a customizable web dashboard. The hardware implementation, validated through practical testing, demonstrates a feasible solution for boosting solar energy harvesting and enabling smart load management, particularly in distant or resource-constrained settings.