Dual Axis Solar Tracker
About the Dual Axis Solar Tracker PCB
Dual Axis Solar Tracker is an open source ESP32 PCB design by jsitech4, published on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board measuring 101.2 × 76.6 mm, with 75 components from 55 distinct parts.
Its main chip is the ESP32-WROOM, from the ESP32 family. Other key parts include the LM2596S-3.3V, LM2596S-12V and LM2596S-5V. By type, the board carries 22 capacitors, 21 resistors, 12 diodes, 7 connectors, 4 ICs and 3 switches.
It belongs with the power & battery and sensors designs in this gallery.
From the project
This project is a Dual Axis Solar Tracking System built using the ESP32-WROOM-32UE microcontroller and an L298D motor driver module. The system automatically tracks the direction of sunlight using four LDR sensors and positions the solar panel for maximum light exposure using two
This project is a Dual Axis Solar Tracking System built using the ESP32-WROOM-32UE microcontroller and an L298D motor driver module. The system automatically tracks the direction of sunlight using four LDR sensors and positions the solar panel for maximum light exposure using two DC motors.
The tracker also includes: - Automatic night detection and sleep mode - Rotary encoder based calibration and control - Direction indication LEDs - Manual movement mode - Saved calibration settings using ESP32 Preferences (NVS)
Main components on the Dual Axis Solar Tracker
Dual Axis Solar Tracker bill of materials (BOM)
75 components, 55 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.
| Qty | Part | Footprint | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LM2596S-3.3V | TO-263-5_TabPin6 | U1 |
| 1 | LM2596S-12V AMS1117-3.3 | SOT-223-3_TabPin2 | U2 |
| 1 | ESP32-WROOM | ESP32-WROOM-32U | U3 |
| 1 | LM2596S-5V CH340C | SOIC-16_3.9x9.9mm_P1.27mm | U4 |
| 2 | Geared Motor | TerminalBlock_Phoenix_PT-1,5-2-3.5-H_1x02_P3.50mm_Horizontal | M1, M2 |
| 1 | UMH3N | SOT-363_SC-70-6 | Q1 |
| 1 | 12MHZ 12MHz | Crystal_HC49-4H_Vertical | Y1 |
| 2 | 12VAC | TerminalBlock_Phoenix_PT-1,5-2-3.5-H_1x02_P3.50mm_Horizontal | J1, J2 |
| 2 | MOTOR | TerminalBlock_Phoenix_PT-1,5-2-3.5-H_1x02_P3.50mm_Horizontal | J3, J5 |
| 1 | SIGNAL | PinHeader_1x06_P2.54mm_Vertical | J4 |
| 1 | 12V_IN | TerminalBlock_Phoenix_PT-1,5-2-3.5-H_1x02_P3.50mm_Horizontal | J6 |
| 1 | USB_C Conn | PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical | J7 |
| 1 | ~ | SolderJumper-2_P1.3mm_Open_Pad1.0x1.5mm | JP1 |
| 1 | RotaryEncoder | PinHeader_1x06_P2.54mm_Vertical | SW1 |
| 1 | SPST_CK_KXT3 RESET | SW_SPST_CK_KXT3 | SW2 |
| 1 | SPST_CK_KXT3 FLASH | SW_SPST_CK_KXT3 | SW3 |
| 2 | Red | LED_D3.0mm | D1, D9 |
| 1 | 1N5824 Red | LED_D3.0mm | D2 |
| 1 | 1N5824 GBU8M | Diode_Bridge_Vishay_GBU | D3 |
| 1 | GBU8M | Diode_Bridge_Vishay_GBU | D4 |
Show 35 more
| Qty | Part | Footprint | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | SM4001 Red | LED_D3.0mm | D5, D6, D11 |
| 1 | SM4001 1N5824 | D_SMA | D7 |
| 1 | 1N5819 | D_SMA | D8 |
| 1 | SM4001 1N5819 | D_SMA | D10 |
| 1 | Green | LED_D3.0mm | D12 |
| 1 | 33UH 33uH | L_12x12mm_H6mm | L1 |
| 2 | 680UF/35V 470uF/25V | CP_Elec_10x12.5 | C1, C2 |
| 1 | 470NF 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C3 |
| 3 | 100NF 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C4, C12, C22 |
| 2 | 220UF/16V 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C5, C11 |
| 1 | 220UF/16V 680uF_35V | CP_Elec_10x12.5 | C6 |
| 1 | 680UF/35V 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C7 |
| 3 | 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C8, C16, C17 |
| 1 | 2200UF/35V 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C9 |
| 1 | 2200UF/35V 220uF_16V | CP_Elec_6.3x7.7 | C10 |
| 2 | 100NF 4.7uF/16V | CP_EIA-3528-21_Kemet-B_HandSolder | C13, C18 |
| 1 | 470UF/25V 470nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C14 |
| 1 | 4.7UF/16V 10uF_16V | CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.00mm | C15 |
| 1 | 4.7UF/16V 22pF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C19 |
| 1 | 22PF 22pF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C20 |
| 1 | 22PF 100nF | C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder | C21 |
| 2 | 680K 330R | R_0805_2012Metric | R1, R2 |
| 1 | 100K 330R | R_0805_2012Metric | R3 |
| 1 | 330R | R_0805_2012Metric | R4 |
| 2 | LDR | PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | R5, R13 |
| 3 | 330R 10k | R_0805_2012Metric | R6, R9, R19 |
| 1 | 680K LDR | PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | R7 |
| 1 | 10k | R_0805_2012Metric | R8 |
| 4 | 10K 10k | R_0805_2012Metric | R10, R12, R16, R17 |
| 1 | 330R LDR | PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | R11 |
| 1 | 330R/2W 10k | R_0805_2012Metric | R14 |
| 1 | 10K LDR | PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical | R15 |
| 1 | 150R 330R | R_0805_2012Metric | R18 |
| 1 | 330R | R_0805_2012Metric | R20 |
| 1 | 10K 330R | R_0805_2012Metric | R21 |
Dual Axis Solar Tracker design files
The KiCad project lives in the jsitech4/Projects repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.
Dual Axis Solar Tracker: common questions
What microcontroller does the Dual Axis Solar Tracker use?
The Dual Axis Solar Tracker is built around the ESP32-WROOM, from the ESP32 family.
How big is the Dual Axis Solar Tracker PCB?
The Dual Axis Solar Tracker measures 101.2 × 76.6 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.
How many components are on the Dual Axis Solar Tracker?
75 components, from 55 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.
Where can I download the Dual Axis Solar Tracker design files?
From the jsitech4/Projects repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.
Can I use the Dual Axis Solar Tracker design in my own project?
The repository has no license, so all rights stay with jsitech4. Use it as a reference, and ask the author before reusing the design.
Can I test firmware for the Dual Axis Solar Tracker without the hardware?
Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug ESP32 firmware against it before you order a PCB.
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