Design, Modeling, and Experimental Validation of a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System with Embedded Control and Monocular Vision

Adán Acosta-Banda (), Verónica Aguilar-Esteva, Eduardo Campos-Mercado, Miguel Patiño-Ortiz, Ricardo Carreño-Aguilera, Jesús Antonio Enriquez-Santiago and Hugo Francisco Abundis-Fong
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Adán Acosta-Banda: División de Estudios de Posgrado, SECIHTI-Universidad del Istmo, Ciudad Universitaria S/N Barrio Santa Cruz 4a. Sección, Sto. Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca 70760, Mexico
Verónica Aguilar-Esteva: Departamento de Ingeniería en Diseño, Universidad del Istmo, Ciudad Universitaria S/N Barrio Santa Cruz 4a. Sección, Sto. Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca 70760, Mexico
Eduardo Campos-Mercado: Investigador por México, SECIHTI-Universidad del Istmo, Ciudad Universitaria S/N Barrio Santa Cruz 4a. Sección, Sto. Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca 70760, Mexico
Miguel Patiño-Ortiz: Sección de Estudio de Posgrado e Investigación de la ESIME Zacatenco, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, México City 07738, Mexico
Ricardo Carreño-Aguilera: Departamento de Ingeniería en Computación, Universidad del Istmo, Ciudad Universitaria S/N Barrio Santa Cruz 4a. Sección, Sto. Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca 70760, Mexico
Jesús Antonio Enriquez-Santiago: División de Estudios de Posgrado, Universidad del Istmo, Ciudad Universitaria S/N Barrio Santa Cruz 4a. Sección, Sto. Domingo Tehuantepec, Oaxaca 70760, Mexico
Hugo Francisco Abundis-Fong: Tecnológico Nacional de México/I.T de Pachuca, Carretera México-Pachuca Km 87.5, Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo 42080, Mexico

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-27

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: artificial vision; dual-axis; embedded control; photovoltaic performance; solar tracking system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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