Solar energy is a clean energy source which has a minimal impact on the environment than other forms of energy. Solar energy is now widely used in a variety of applications. Although solar energy is widely used, the efficiency of converting solar energy into electricity is insufficient since most solar panels are installed at a fixed angle and the fixed solar panels do not aim directly towards the sun due to the earth’s constant motion. Solar panels are very expensive for families or businesses that consume more energy than usual, as they require several solar panels to generate enough power. The main objective of this project is to build a working model so that to increase the efficiency of power output taken from solar panel by continuously tracking the sun’s rays through out the day and aligns the solar panel orthogonal to the sun. To develop a model that benefits people by producing more solar energy with fewer solar panels. In order to overcome this problem we come up with a solution through Arduino Uno system which consists of four LDR sensors which are responsible for the detection of the light intensity of the sun’s rays. Two micro servo motors are used for movement of the solar panel in azimuth and elevation direction since it is a dual axis tracking system. A solar panel is the core part we use in this model for the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. The LCD displays shows the power output of the solar panel. The proposed system is a dual axis tracking system that actively tracks solar radiation and adjusts the panel so that the sun’s rays are perpendicular to it, maximizing the solar panel’s power output. The LCD display shows the power output of the solar panel. By this project, we can say that dual axis tracking system we built can track the sun’s rays and increases the power output of solar panel. The manual effort for changing the solar panel according to the sun position can be avoided.

This thesis project investigates, analyzes, designs, simulates, constructs and tests a dual-axis solar tracker system to track the sun and concentrates the heat of the sunlight, using a Fresnel lens, into a small area, which is above of an evaporator, to increase the temperature of the seawater to convert it into freshwater. The dual-axis solar tracker was designed with the main objectives that the structure was portable, dismountable, lightweight, low cost, corrosion resistant, wires inside pipes, accurate, small size, follow the sun automatically, off-grid (electrical), use green energy (solar powered), and has an empty area right below of the lens. First, a 500 mm diameter flat Fresnel lens was selected and simulated based on an algorithmic method achieved by a previous PhD student at UNT using MATLAB®, to give the optimization lens dimensions. The lens profile was drawn with AutoCAD®, then output profile lens was simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics®. The objective was to provide the high efficiency, optimum and high precision of the focal rays and heat to the receiver of the evaporator. A novel dual-axis solar tracker system was then designed that is portable, dismountable, lightweight and corrosion resistant. The solar tracker tracks the sun in two axis of rotation automatically during the day time, maximizing the angles of inclination on each axis. After testing computer simulations, the dual-axis solar tracker system was constructed and tested. Last, a detailed cost analysis was performed of the entire project. The outcome of this work can be applied for desalination seawater purposes or other any Fresnel lens application that require a focal high temperature directed by dual-axis solar tracker system.