Threshold-Based Active Cooling and LDR-Driven Dual-Axis Tracking for Low-Cost PV Performance Enhancement: Hardware Implementation and Experimental Evaluation

Solar energy is a widely utilized renewable source, yet the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems is significantly affected by temperature rise, dust accumulation, and improper panel orientation. While many approaches, such as temperature management, water cooling, and active tracking, whether used alone or in combination, have been adopted to improve PV cell efficiency, they have provided only limited enhancement. This study presents a low-cost solar PV module performance-enhancement prototype incorporating threshold-based active cooling, LDR-driven dual-axis solar tracking, automated surface cleaning, and monitoring functionality. The proposed system employs a reliable ATMEGA328 controller well suited for hybrid intelligent function of regulation of DC fan and water-cooling mechanisms based on real-time temperature data, ensuring activation when the panel temperature exceeds the limit of 35°C. Dual-axis tracking using LDR sensors and servo motors optimizes solar irradiance absorption, while IoT intelligence connectivity enables remote monitoring, data visualization, and system diagnostics. Additionally, Bluetooth support operation aids in manual operation control of the cooling system. The performance was evaluated against a conventional fixed PV configuration using the recorded daytime power-output profile. The proposed integrated configuration increased the cumulative measured power output by approximately 18.8% relative to the conventional reference, with the instantaneous enhancement reaching approximately 36% during the evaluated high-output operating period; the prototype temperature measurements ranged from approximately 35 to 44 °C under the recorded test conditions. The results demonstrate the potential of coordinated solar tracking and thermal management to improve PV power generation.