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Design and Implementation of a Solar Tracking Robot for Renewable Energy Enhancement in Electric Vehicle Charging

Ali Alzahrani1, Mouiad Nahhas1, Abdulaziz Alogla1, Khalid Almghrabi1, Nawaf Albishri1, Ahmed M. Nahhas1,

1Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Umm Al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

American Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 2025, 13(2), 15-19. DOI: 10.12691/ajeee-13-2-1
Received August 18, 2025; Revised September 20, 2025; Accepted September 28, 2025

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of a single-axis solar tracking robot (STR) aimed at maximizing solar energy harvesting efficiency and exploring its use in off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging systems. Unlike fixed solar panels that suffer performance losses due to the sun’s movement, the STR autonomously aligns a photovoltaic panel using light-dependent resistors (LDRs) and a servo motor, while its mobility system repositions the entire unit in search of optimal sunlight. The robot was built using cost-effective components such as Arduino Uno, L298N motor driver, and DC motors, and simulated in Proteus before hardware implementation. Field testing demonstrated an efficiency gain of up to 26% compared to static panels. The results suggest that the STR provides a viable, scalable solution for renewable-powered EV charging in remote or underdeveloped areas.

Keywords:

Solar Tracking Robot, Arduino, LDR, Photovoltaic, Mobile Robot, EV Charging, Renewable Energy
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