Development of a Smart Solar Energy Optimization System Using a Single Axis Tracker and Microinverters.

The increasing demand for reliable and efficient renewable energy systems has driven the need for innovations that maximize photovoltaic (PV) performance. However, the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems is often constrained by fixed-panel orientation, partial shading effects, and inefficiencies in conventional inverter configurations. These challenges reduce energy harvest, hinder scalability, and limit the practical adoption of solar systems for both domestic and industrial applications. The system employs a geared stepper motor to make a linear actuator, controlled by an Arduino Uno, using Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) to dynamically align the panels for optimal solar capture. Each PV module is paired with a dedicated microinverter, enabling independent operation and eliminating the performance decline caused by partial shading in conventional series connections. An IoT based monitoring platform, implemented using the Blynk application and ESP32 module, provides real-time visualization of generation data and fault detection. Experimental evaluation under sunny, cloudy, and rainy conditions demonstrated that the tracked system produced higher daily energy output compared to a fixed-panel setup, achieving a performance ratio of 89.27% versus 71.28% for the fixed configuration, showing the anticipated advantage of 17.99%. The microinverter system maintained stable output during shading scenarios, whereas the series-connected system suffered significant power losses. The inverter system also showed a strong Inverter efficiency value of approximately 84%. The results validate the effectiveness of combining active solar tracking with microinverter technology for enhanced energy harvest offering a practical, cost-effective solution for residential regions with unstable power supply, off-grid communities, and environments requiring high efficiency and shading tolerance in solar energy deployment.