Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 5951: Design, Modeling, and Experimental Validation of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System with Embedded Control and Monocular Vision

Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 5951: Design, Modeling, and Experimental Validation of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System with Embedded Control and Monocular Vision

Energies doi: 10.3390/en18225951

Authors:
Adán Acosta-Banda
Verónica Aguilar-Esteva
Eduardo Campos-Mercado
Miguel Patiño-Ortiz
Ricardo Carreño-Aguilera
Jesús Antonio Enriquez-Santiago
Hugo Francisco Abundis-Fong

The growing demand for renewable energy requires efficient technologies to maximize solar resource utilization. This study presents the development and validation of a novel dual-axis solar tracking system that integrates kinematic modeling, embedded control, and a monocular vision algorithm. Unlike fixed photovoltaic systems, the proposed design dynamically aligns solar panels with the sun’s position using a Denavit–Hartenberg-based model and real-time image analysis. The system was experimentally validated in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico, a high-irradiance region. Results showed reliable sensor calibration with errors below 3%, and an 18% increase in energy capture compared to a fixed panel system. The prototype achieved a maximum output of 800 W using four 205 Wp modules. This work contributes an innovative, replicable approach to enhance solar energy harvesting under real operating conditions.