Solar Tracking System with IoT
Solar Tracking System with IoT
Abstract: Through the integration of mechanical tracking and connected intelligence, IoT-based solar tracking systems
can significantly enhance photovoltaic energy capture and enable smarter operations and maintenance. This review covers
recent developments in single- and dual-axis trackers, sensor and actuator hardware, and edge-to–cloud IoT stacks
supporting real-time telemetry, remote control of devices, as well as predictive maintenance. Both are supported by open
source software and cloud computing technologies. In this paper, we compare open-loop astronomical algorithms and
AIoT controllers with sensor-driven closed-Loop approaches (e.g, LDR/photodiaode feedback), considering the tradeoffs
between point accuracy, "actuation energy", and lifecycle costs. The standard outcome of performance analyses
demonstrates that fixed mounts offer an average increase of 15-30% in single-axis performance (with bifacial modules
providing additional benefits), while IoT-enabled analytics reduce downtime and enhance O&M efficiency by anomaly
detection and targeted interventions. Utility-scale farms, residential off-grid systems, and agri-food applications such as
solar-powered drying and cold storage are all possible applications where increased availability directly reduces post-
harvest loss. There are still some obstacles to overcome, including mechanical reliability, site-specific economics, and
cybersecurity risks caused by networked control.
Keywords: IoT, Solar Tracking, Photovoltaic Optimization, Edge AI, Predictive Maintenance.
How to Cite: Saroj Kumar Behera (2025) Solar Tracking System with IoT. International Journal of Innovative Science and
Research Technology, 10(11), 104-114. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov108
A. Types of Solar Tracking Systems. mechanical complexity and system costs. Backtracking,
There are three main types of solar trackers: fixed-tilt, torque-limiting, and stow strategies for high winds can
single-axis, and dual-axial. The latter are for tracking only. optimize single-axical control and combine them with bifacial
Throughout the year, dual-axis trackers and single-axes modules to increase yield and reduce LCOE. Recent large-
tracked devices provide elevation control by rotating the scale analyses and developer experience indicate that single–
panels around the sun's azimuth. This technology keeps solar axis tracking is the preferred option in many new-install
radiation at bay for many years without disrupting the markets due to the tradeoff between yield/cost. [9].
tracking system. The benefits are influenced by factors such
as latitude, project economics, and local climate (such as Dual-Axis Trackers.
direct vs. diffuse irradiance), but research studies suggest that The utilization of dual-axis trackers allows for optimal
the effectiveness of trackers and cost-effectiveness should be irradiance capture per panel by keeping the module
considered for each site. [8]. orthogonal to direct sunlight during both daylight and season.
Although the actual energy gains differ depending on the
Single-Axis Trackers. research and location, they are generally within the range of
The single-axis tracker is the preferred choice for utility- 20% to 40% in favorable locations (particularly significant
scale PV due to its ability to provide significant energy gains where the direct beam fraction is substantial) [10].
in the 15-30% range while maintaining a balance of
B. Working Principle of Solar Trackers. deployments have revealed that IoT architecture, along with
Trackers can operate using either open-loop remote corrective actions or automated storability for shading,
astronomical control or closed- loop sensor feedback such as inverter faults, or actuator drift, can improve effective up-time
photodiodes/LDRs or pyranometers to minimize error in and predictive maintenance workflows [13].
irradiance or panel orientation. The control algorithms
available vary from basic two-photodiode differential A. Overview of IoT Technology.
algorithms to hybrid model-based/ML methods that consider PV's IoT involves the use of lightweight protocols like
sensor noise, actuator backlash, and wind loading. Low-power MQTT, HTTP, and CoAP to connect edge devices such as
stepper motors or linear actuators are commonly used in microcontrollers, sensors, data loggers or gateways to cloud-
modern systems to minimize wear while maintaining pointing based platforms. With the help of edge processing, data can be
accuracy, and the trade-off between actuation parasitic filtered and pre-aggregated to minimize bandwidth and
consumption and additional harvest is a crucial consideration latency, and cloud services offer users dashboards, long-term
in their design [11]. storage, fault detection ML models, APIs for integration with
asset-management systems. Layers are utilized to expedite
C. The Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Tracking. O&M response times and enable fleet management scalable
The key benefits of tracking are enhanced energy yield, across multiple sites. [14].
higher capacity factor, and potential LCOE reductions with
the right hardware configuration (such as bifacial modules). B. Components of IoT-Based Solar Systems.
The constraints consist of increased capital expenditure, more
demanding upkeep (mechanical adjustments, bearings, Sensors.
motors), susceptibility to intense gusts of wind and erratic soil Irradiance sensors (Pyranometers/Piranoometer(s)/LDRs
movement, and occasionally diminished advantage in highly /Photodiodes) and light sensors for feedback tracking,
diffused sky conditions or heavy rainfall. A careful evaluation temperature sensors like LM35 or INA219 with hall-effect
of insolation features, land expenditure, and operations sensors as well as environmental sensors such as wind and
budgets is essential for determining economic feasibility [12]. humidity. For performance analysis and fault detection, high-
quality irradiance sensing is superior, while low-cost light
III. IOT IS A TERM USED TO DESCRIBE THE USE sensors are sufficient for closed-loop pointing in many small
OF ENERGY SYSTEMS deployments [15].
for long-range low-power links, or wired links for utility visualization, ML model hosting, anomaly detection, or
installations. Throughput, latency, and power/coverage predictive maintenance. Research and experiments have
constraints are considered when choosing a protocol for demonstrated that cloud analytics, in combination with ML,
deployment. [16]. can predict component degradation and schedule
interventions, leading to reduced unplanned downtime and
Cloud Platforms and Data Analytics. lower maintenance expenses for operators [17].
Cloud-based platforms (AWS IoT, Azure IofT),
ThingSpeak, Blynk, and custom stacks) offer storage,
C. Advantages of Integrating IoT in Solar Tracking O&M expenses, the industry generally employs electric linear
The advantages multiply when IoT is coupled with actuators, geared DC motors, or stepper motors for single-axis
tracking: IoT offers performance assurance (real-time trackers. The trade-offs between actuator torque rating and
telemetry, fault warnings, predictive maintenance), while service life in electric actuators for renewable systems are
tracking improves geometric irradiance capture, which leads highlighted in reviews (higher torque allows for heavier/larger
to increased efficiency. Higher effective energy is collected arrays but raises cost and). actuation energy), and advise using
and less downtime is achieved. New research on AIoT (AI + prudent sizing and wind-stow interlocks to ensure resilience.
IoT) enhances adaptive control, such as the ability to adjust [19].
tracking strategies. opening avenues for smarter, more robust
PV assets by switching between weather forecasts or Sensors for Light, Temperature, and Position
dynamically trading actuator energy against incremental yield Feedback from sensors maintains panel alignment and
[17]. provides the diagnostics required for IoT analytics. Common
arrays contain inclinometers, GPS, and encoders for precise
IV. SOLAR TRACKING SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE location awareness, pyranometers for accurate irradiance
BASED ON IOT recording, temperature sensors (NTC, RTD, or semiconductor
types) for thermal derating experiments, and light sensors
A solar tracking architecture based on IoT combines (LDRs or photodiodes) for closed-loop pointing. Due to their
three closely integrated layers—hardware, software (edge and affordability and robustness, low-cost LDR arrays are
cloud), and control algorithms—to provide precise targeting, frequently employed in prototypes and smaller commercial
real-time telemetry, and remote operation of PV resources. In trackers, while professional monitoring frequently includes a
contemporary utility and distributed installations, the calibrated. pyranometer to determine the actual incident
hardware must balance robustness (for wind, dust, and cyclic irradiance for performance ratio computations [20].
loading) with minimal parasitic energy for activation, whereas
the software must balance robustness with flexibility. Because Microcontrollers (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32)
the software stack manages data acquisition, local pre- Options for edge computing include single-board
processing, secure telemetry, and cloud analytics for fleet computers (Raspberry Pi) for local data fusion and ultra-low-
management, the integrated architecture places a strong power microcontrollers (ESP32 family) that integrate Wi-
priority on modularity to accommodate sensors, comms, Fi/Bluetooth and deep-sleep modes. or low-power, small-
Controllers and modules may be interchanged without scale ML inference. The ESP32 series is well-liked in solar
requiring a complete system redesign. [18]. IoT since it combines connectivity, several ADCs, and low-
power modes at a fair price. Raspberry Pi or similar SBCs are
A. Hardware Design selected where more intensive data processing, local
databases, or complex gateway functions are necessary, while
Actuators and Solar Panels the package is selected elsewhere. Availability should be a
The actuators/drives that realign the PV modules are the factor in the choice. for remote deployments, there are long-
focus of the mechanical subsystem. Depending on the needed term energy budgets for real-time control requirements and
torque, pointing resolution, weather exposure, and life cycle I/O. [21][22].
Table 3 Tracker Adoption (Representative Percentages from Industry & Market Reports)
Metric Value (%) Source / note
Share of new U.S. utility-scale PV capacity using single- 94% Reuters summary of IEA PVPS / LBNL data. (Reuters)
axis trackers (2022)
Share of installed U.S. PV systems adopting one-axis 65% NREL Fall 2024 industry update. (NREL)
tracking (2023, sample metric)
Global tracker penetration (2022) ~40% IEA/market analysis cited in Reuters — expected to
rise to ~50% by 2030. (Reuters)
Sources (table): Reuters; NREL.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-solar-tracker-dominance-offers-learnings-other-markets-2024-08-08/
https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy25osti/92257.pdf
Data Collection and Processing Tracking Based on a Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
The edge software collects sensor data (analog/digital), Closed-loop controllers built on LDRs utilize
filters/transforms it (debounce LDR jitter, apply moving- straightforward differential measurements from paired sensors
average irradiance smoothing), and executes safety interlocks to regulate actuators until light imbalances are minimized;
(stow on high wind). Using lightweight edge preprocessing, they are inexpensive, durable, and self-calibrating to local
cloud bandwidth is reduced and local fail-safe actions are atmospheric conditions. While their performance under clear
made possible in near real time (e. g. , restricting movement skies is frequently twice as good as that of fixed panels,
during gusts). Tried and tested designs employ watchdogs, experimental field research indicates that well-tuned LDR-
timestamped packets (NTP/RTC), and circular buffers to based systems can provide significant daily energy gains.
assure dependable functionality in isolated locations. Modern Under severely diffused sky (cloudy) conditions, performance
scholarly and practical evaluations demonstrate that judicious can deteriorate, and mechanical shielding is necessary to
edge design, particularly timestamp integrity and local lessen erroneous readings caused by albedo or reflections
buffering, significantly lowers telemetry loss and aids [20][26].
subsequent forensic investigation [23].
Predefined Astronomical Algorithms
Communication Protocols (Wi-Fi, MQTT, LoRa) The canonical reference for open-loop astronomical
Depending on the range, power, and network topology, algorithms, which determine the sun's azimuth and elevation
installers select protocols for connectivity: Wi-Fi for high- from time and geographic coordinates, is the Solar Position
bandwidth, short-range residential gateways; MQTT as the Algorithm (SPA) developed by NREL, which has an accuracy
lightweight publish/subscribe messaging layer for Telemetry of less than 0. 001 degrees. if implemented using the proper
in close to real time; and LoRaWAN or NB-IoT for low- time and location inputs. Astronomical tracking is preferred in
power field telemetry over long distances in locations where huge arrays where sensor maintenance would be expensive, in
cellular coverage or private gateways are desirable. The high-precision or concentrator systems, but it necessitates
widespread usage of MQTT for IoT messaging, the sub-kbps precise RTC/NTP synchronization. as well as a thorough
to tens of kbps profile of LoRaWAN with multi-kilometer understanding of array geometry and mounting offsets [25].
coverage, and the cellular-grade coverage of NB-IoT for
remote assets are all examples of the options that are Hybrid Strategies
highlighted in industry analyses and standards papers. swaps Combining SPA for rough pointing with LDR or
range and power for bandwidth. [24][31][32]. encoder feedback for fine correction, or combining model-
based predictions with ML adjustments that adapt to, are
Cloud Analysis and Storage examples of hybrid controllers. local atmospheric patterns;
Cloud platforms like AWS IoT Core, Azure IoT, such hybrids retain the benefits of accurate sun-angle models
ThingSpeak, open-source MQTT brokers, and bespoke stacks while being unaffected by sensor drift and unmodeled
offer long-term storage, dashboards, alarm routing, and ML shading. Recent research and applied pilot experiments
model hosting for a variety of applications. predictive demonstrate that hybrid AIoT approaches can lower pointing
maintenance. Cloud analytics commonly uses pilot anomaly RMSE, minimize excessive actuator motions, and, in some
detection on historical irradiance vs. predicted yield, actuator instances, increase the amount of net energy collected. as
energy vs. commanded motion, or drift in LDR baselines; opposed to complete astronomical or sensor control. [26].
Remote alarming that minimizes fault response times and
unexpected downtime is demonstrated by the projects. The
best practices include encrypting telemetry (TLS),
implementing device authentication, and keeping Both raw,
high-frequency data (for diagnostic work) and aggregated
metrics for trend analytics. [23][34]
Table 4 Communication Protocols: Typical Data Rates, Ranges and Recent Adoption Figures
Protocol Typical data rate Typical range Reported adoption / Source
(line-of-sight) market metric (%)
MQTT (messaging) Lightweight messaging (payload N/A (runs over IP) MQTT used/essential in HiveMQ survey
small; broker overhead small) ~50–55% of IIoT projects (2022).
(survey). (hivemq.com)
LoRaWAN 0.3 kbps – 50 kbps (typ.) Kilometres (2–15 LoRa market share ~36% of LoRa Alliance /
km typical rural LPWAN (projected / IoT Analytics.
LOS) regional varies). (LoRa
Alliance®)
NB-IoT Up to ~100–250 kbps Cellular coverage NB-IoT ~20% (ex-China GSMA / IoT
(implementation dependent) (wide) LPWAN share) / large share Analytics.
in China; projections rising. (GSMA)
Sources (table): HiveMQ; LoRa Alliance; IoT-Analytics; GSMA.
https://www.hivemq.com/blog/2022-survey-shows-mqtt-adoption-is-high-for-industry/
https://lora-alliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/lorawan_regional_parameters_v1.0.3reva_0.pdf
https://iot-analytics.com/lpwan-market/
https://www.gsma.com/iot/
VI. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND validation studies. Alternatively, pairing single–axill tracker
OPTIMIZATION with bifacial modules typically adds an extra 4-15% (site
dependent), while dual-axial trackERS sometimes offer larger
Tracker gains differ depending on latitude, DNI, module gains per panel in direct-to-unclimated climate[citation] but
type, and system configuration, necessitating both field data require more complexity and cost. These ranges are supported
and modeled projections when comparing PV systems with by NREL model/validation work and national-scale industry
fixed-tilt references. In general, single-axis trackers can reports that quantify tracker yield and provide economic
increase annual energy yield by around 15-25% over fixed-tilt justification for tracking. [35].
systems, as demonstrated by broad syntheses and field
reveal reduced RMSE and less unnecessary cycles of data and ATB cost modeling, which demonstrate the
actuators than with the traditional naive control, leading to importance of conducting up-front sensitivity analysis when
improvements in lifecycle economics [41][42]. module and tracker prices change rapidly [36][37].
Machine Learning for Tracking Accuracy C. Data Security and IoT Vulnerabilities.
Cloud-based irradiance changes, sensor correction, and IoT integration provides significant operational
actuation scheduling optimization have been achieved through advantages, but it also introduces novel attack foci. Newly
the use of machine learning (ML) and deep learning published security research and vulnerability disclosures have
strategies. In certain settings, ML can minimize pointing exposed internet-exposed solar inverters, cloud management
errors and accurately predict irradiance transients than static APIs, and fleet control systems to serious vulnerabilities that
heuristics. Empirical evidence indicates this is achievable; could allow remote manipulation of inverteder setpoints or
controllers that use distributed local programming (such as mass shutdown operations. Thousands of vulnerable devices
micro-climate and shading dynamics) can learn intricate local and high-severity vulnerabilities have been documented by
patterns to optimize control by optimizing for actuation firms and researchers, and threat modeling studies using
expenses. The benefits of data quality and model STRIDE highlight risks across sensors, gateways, cloud
generalizability vary, with some indicating an improvement in layers, etc. IoT-enabled trackers may create systemic risk
RMSE, others suggesting an increase in false stows or modest vectors if the asset is not managed through the use of device
improvements in net energy [43][44]. hardening, network isolation, TLS authentication processes,
secure firmware update processes and regulatory attention
Adaptive Control Systems. [46][47][48][49].
By utilizing weather forecasts, energy price signals
(where available), and battery/storage state, adaptive control VIII. FUTURE SCOPE
can be used to determine the aggressive tracking and its
intensity. Active tracking in clear conditions is the preferred By utilizing lightweight ML models at the edge, AIoT
method of adaptive strategies, which can reduce actuator and edge intelligence will soon merge to enable rapid
motion to conserve parasitic energy. By combining response to sudden changes in solar radiation levels. This
deterministic sun-position models with sensor/ML approach involves embedding lightweight MCUs or small
corrections, hybrid strategies have been found to offer near- SBC's at various locations across networks with low power
astronomical pointing accuracy and resilience against sensor connections. Additionally, they aim to reduce cloud
faults and localized shading, which are now widely used in dependence and speed up tracking decisions. Edge-AI
pilot applications. This AIoT approach is adaptive and techniques reduce telemetry expenses and latency, making it
provides support for fleet-level optimization, which involves possible to create more autonomous and durable trackers for
managing row–to–row interactions (mutual shading) [41][45]. off-grid and rural electrification initiatives. Current research
indicates that edge inference can enhance responsiveness and
VII. CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS energy capture by combining astronomical observation with
sensor feedback [51][52].
A. Technical Challenges.
Moving parts, such as bearings and actuatorntae, or Trackers are tightly linked with distributed storage,
gearboxes (of which trackers are technically aware) are smart inverter, and demand-side controls, which allows for
subject to periodic maintenance but are also susceptible to optimal tracking based on battery state, time-of–use prices, or
wind loading and soil settlement. As per the literature, sensors grid signals, making system-level integration an important
such as LDR baseline shift, pyranometer calibration loss, growth vector that goes beyond per-module control. In
actuator backlash, and encoder failures are frequent field agricultural/food-processing facilities with critical load
issues. Additionally (actuation) requires parasitic energy to profiles and cold-chain needs, microgrid resilience can be
balance against incremental harvest. Unreliable IoT telemetry improved by adopting value-aware tracking practices such as
is made more difficult by the connectivity/BT battery more aggressive tracking when the marginal electricity value
limitations of off-grid sites, which can lead to wear and tear is high or reducing actuation when storage can reduce peak
caused by harsh conditions such as sand, salt, and high demand. A diverse research and deployment landscape is
temperatures. Early-life failure modes are frequently emerging due to the rising tracker penetration and parallel
influenced by mechanical and sensor realities that necessitate growth in storage and fleet orchestration services, as indicated
conservative design and PdM to manage them [35][19]. by market forecasts and industry outlooks [53][54].
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