Design and Build A 3D Printed Single-Axis Solar Tracking Photovoltaic System

Abstract

This paper presents a design and build process of a 3D printed single-axis solar tracking PV (photovoltaic) system, which can increase the efficiency of solar panels by tracking the movement of the sun. The system consists of a 3D printed support structure, which includes a single axis tracking mechanism, and a control system based on an Arduino microcontroller. The support structure was designed using SolidWorks, and a load simulation was conducted to ensure its structural stability. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material was utilized for the 3D printing process due to its superior mechanical and temperature properties. The tracking mechanism employed a servo motor to enable the solar panel to rotate on a single axis from east to west, aligning with the sun’s motion throughout the day. The control system was programmed to determine the sun’s position using output data from two light sensors and control the servo motor accordingly. The prototype of the system was tested outdoors, and the results showed that the solar tracking system can increase the energy output of the solar panel by up to 19.4% compared to a fixed solar panel. The proposed design is low-cost, easy to assemble, and can be used in small-scale applications, providing an efficient and sustainable energy source.