Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal

Moustapha Diop; Oumar Dia; Ibrahima Gueye; Abdoulaye kebe

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal

Moustapha Diop^*

, Oumar Dia

, Ibrahima Gueye

, Abdoulaye kebe

Published in Science Journal of Energy Engineering (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 6 January 2026 Accepted: 31 January 2026 Published: 24 April 2026

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

This study presents a theoretical comparative analysis of photovoltaic systems using Fixed-Tilt and dual-axis solar tracking structures, applied to rural electrification. The analysis focuses on the village of Kakouda, located in the Kaffrine region of Senegal, and is based on local meteorological data, particularly solar irradiation and ambient temperature, combined with mathematical models describing the apparent motion of the sun. Energy performance is evaluated using monthly energy production, solar irradiation, and Peak Sun Hours. The results show that, for the same installed capacity of 70 kWp, dual-axis solar tracking systems provide an average annual energy gain of 23.57 %. When systems are sized to meet a given energy demand of 230 kWh per day, solar tracking enables a reduction in installed capacity of approximately 23 %. These results confirm the technical advantages of solar trackers in terms of energy gain and land-use efficiency, resulting in a reduced number of photovoltaic modules. However, for small-scale community photovoltaic systems, the additional energy production corresponds to a relatively modest benefit compared to the higher investment and maintenance costs associated with tracking systems. This study highlights the need to identify an optimal compromise between energy performance and overall system cost, and emphasizes the importance of developing simplified, low-cost, and energy-efficient solar tracking solutions adapted to the specific technical, economic, and territorial conditions encountered in Senegal.

Published in	Science Journal of Energy Engineering (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
Page(s)	32-40
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dual-axis Solar Tracking, Photovoltaic Systems, Fixed-Tild Systems, Theoretical Analysis, Senegal

References

[1]	D. Sene, A. Sarr, M. Sako, M. Ndiaye, A. Ouattara, and V. Sambou, “ Optimizing Land Use in Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants: A Model-Based Approach for Row Spacing Optimization,” J. Electrical Systems, vol. 20, n(o) 3, pp. 337-353, 2024.
[2]	Z. Hua, C. Ma, J. Lian, X. Pang, and W. Yang, “Optimal capacity allocation of multiple solar tracker sand storage capacity for utility-scale photovoltaic plants considering output characteristics and complementary demand,” Applied Energy, vol. 238, pp. 721-733, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.01.099
[3]	M. Shabani, J. Mahmoudimehr, “Techno-economic role of PV tracking technology in a hybrid PV-hydroelectric standalone power system,” Applied Energy, vol. 212, pp. 84-108, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.030
[4]	Y. Gao, J. Dong, O. Isabella, R. Santbergen, H. Tan, M. Zeman, G. Zhang, “Modeling and analyses of energy performances of photovoltaic greenhouses with suntracking functionality,” Applied Energy, vol. 233, n(o)234, pp. 424-442, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.10.019
[5]	Ö . GÖnül, F. Yazar, A. Can Duman, Ö . Güler, “A comparative techno-economic assessment of manually adjustable tilt mechanisms and automatic solar trackers for behind-the-meter PV applications,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 168, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112770
[6]	E. Gol, and M. Scasny, “Techno-economic analysis of fixed versus sun-tracking solar panels,” International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, vol. 12, n(o)3, pp. 615-626, 2023. https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.2023.50165
[7]	W. Lu, P. Ajay, “Solar PV tracking system using arithmetic optimization with dual axis and sensor,” Measurement: Sensors, vol. 33, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measen.2024.101089
[8]	M. Phiri, M. Mulenga, A. Zimba, C. Eke, “Deep learning techniques for solar tracking systems: A systematic literature review, research challenges, and open research directions,” Solar Energy, vol. 262, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.111803
[9]	U. Mamodiya, N. Tiwari, “Dual-axis solar tracking system with different control strategies for improved energy efficiency,” Computers and Electrical Engineering, vol. 111, Part A, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2023.108920
[10]	H. Murthy, V. Prakash, E. Mohammad, K. Harshith and G. Gokul, “Dual Axis Solar Tracking System,” 2024International Conference on IoT, Communication and Automation Technology (ICICAT), Gorakhpur, India, pp.162-165, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICICAT62666.2024.10923031
[11]	N. Kuttybay, S. Mekhilef, and al. , “Assessment of solar tracking systems: A comprehensive review,” Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 68, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2024.103879
[12]	R. Sadeghi, M. Parenti, S. Memme, M. Fossa, S. Morchio, “A Review and Comparative Analysis of Solar Tracking Systems,” Energies, vol. 18, n(o) 10, 2025.
[13]	A. Awasthi, A. Shukla, and al. , “Review on sun tracking technology in solar PV system,” Energy Reports, vol. 6, pp. 392-405, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18102553
[14]	B. Hammad, A. Al-Sardeah, M. Al-Abed, S. Nijmeh, A. Al-Ghandoor, “Performance and economic comparison of fixed and tracking photovoltaic systems in Jordan,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 80, pp. 827-839, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.05.241
[15]	E. Akpinar, G. Katircioglu, M. Das, “Effects of solar tracking on different types of solar panels; experimental study for thermal and photovoltaic types,” Int. Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 144, pp. 611-620, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.02.155
[16]	H. Nahim, I. Mohamad, and al., “Performance enhancement of photovoltaic systems using a North-South single-axis solar tracker in Lebanon,” Unconventional Resources, vol. 9, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uncres.2025.100288
[17]	M. Alam Emon, M. Ahmad, M. Hasanuzzaman, “Chapter 2 - Solar thermal energy conversion,” Ed: MdHasanuzzaman, Technologies for Solar Thermal Energy, Academic Press, pp. 25-54, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823959-9.00011-8
[18]	K. Oyshei, K. Sazid Hasan, N. Sadat, M. Ashraful Hoque, “ Comparative analysis of solar module configuration and tracking systems for enhanced energy generation in South Sakucia Union, Bhola, Bangladesh: A software based analysis,” Heliyon, vol. 10, n(o) 13, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33884
[19]	P. Muthukumar, S. Manikandan, R. Muniraj, T. Jarin, A. Sebi, “Energy efficient dual axis solar tracking system using IOT,” Measurement: Sensors, vol. 28, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measen.2023.100825
[20]	J. Atallah, P. Rahme, J. Issa, “Comparative assessment of single axis manual solar PV trackers: A case study for agricultural applications,” Energy Conversion and Management: X, vol. 26, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2025.100927
[21]	R. Mosaad, W. Sharaby, W. Swellam, A. Sharshir, A. Asmaa, A. ElBahloul, A. Kandeal, and M. Rashad, “Performance evaluation of fixed and sun-tracking photovoltaic systems integrated with spray cooling,” Solar Energy, vol.288, pp. 113310, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2025.113310

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Diop, M., Dia, O., Gueye, I., kebe, A. (2026). Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal. Science Journal of Energy Engineering, 14(2), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Diop, M.; Dia, O.; Gueye, I.; kebe, A. Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal. Sci. J. Energy Eng. 2026, 14(2), 32-40. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Diop M, Dia O, Gueye I, kebe A. Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal. Sci J Energy Eng. 2026;14(2):32-40. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11,
  author = {Moustapha Diop and Oumar Dia and Ibrahima Gueye and Abdoulaye kebe},
  title = {Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal},
  journal = {Science Journal of Energy Engineering},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {32-40},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjee.20261402.11},
  abstract = {This study presents a theoretical comparative analysis of photovoltaic systems using Fixed-Tilt and dual-axis solar tracking structures, applied to rural electrification. The analysis focuses on the village of Kakouda, located in the Kaffrine region of Senegal, and is based on local meteorological data, particularly solar irradiation and ambient temperature, combined with mathematical models describing the apparent motion of the sun. Energy performance is evaluated using monthly energy production, solar irradiation, and Peak Sun Hours. The results show that, for the same installed capacity of 70 kWp, dual-axis solar tracking systems provide an average annual energy gain of 23.57 %. When systems are sized to meet a given energy demand of 230 kWh per day, solar tracking enables a reduction in installed capacity of approximately 23 %. These results confirm the technical advantages of solar trackers in terms of energy gain and land-use efficiency, resulting in a reduced number of photovoltaic modules. However, for small-scale community photovoltaic systems, the additional energy production corresponds to a relatively modest benefit compared to the higher investment and maintenance costs associated with tracking systems. This study highlights the need to identify an optimal compromise between energy performance and overall system cost, and emphasizes the importance of developing simplified, low-cost, and energy-efficient solar tracking solutions adapted to the specific technical, economic, and territorial conditions encountered in Senegal.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal
AU  - Moustapha Diop
AU  - Oumar Dia
AU  - Ibrahima Gueye
AU  - Abdoulaye kebe
Y1  - 2026/04/24
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
T2  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JF  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JO  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
SP  - 32
EP  - 40
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-8126
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
AB  - This study presents a theoretical comparative analysis of photovoltaic systems using Fixed-Tilt and dual-axis solar tracking structures, applied to rural electrification. The analysis focuses on the village of Kakouda, located in the Kaffrine region of Senegal, and is based on local meteorological data, particularly solar irradiation and ambient temperature, combined with mathematical models describing the apparent motion of the sun. Energy performance is evaluated using monthly energy production, solar irradiation, and Peak Sun Hours. The results show that, for the same installed capacity of 70 kWp, dual-axis solar tracking systems provide an average annual energy gain of 23.57 %. When systems are sized to meet a given energy demand of 230 kWh per day, solar tracking enables a reduction in installed capacity of approximately 23 %. These results confirm the technical advantages of solar trackers in terms of energy gain and land-use efficiency, resulting in a reduced number of photovoltaic modules. However, for small-scale community photovoltaic systems, the additional energy production corresponds to a relatively modest benefit compared to the higher investment and maintenance costs associated with tracking systems. This study highlights the need to identify an optimal compromise between energy performance and overall system cost, and emphasizes the importance of developing simplified, low-cost, and energy-efficient solar tracking solutions adapted to the specific technical, economic, and territorial conditions encountered in Senegal.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Moustapha Diop

National Higher School of Technical and Vocational Education (ENSETP), Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9907-5595
Oumar Dia

National Higher School of Technical and Vocational Education (ENSETP), Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9921-2617
Ibrahima Gueye

National Higher School of Technical and Vocational Education (ENSETP), Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3282-4632
Abdoulaye kebe

National Higher School of Technical and Vocational Education (ENSETP), Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6043-2575

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Diop, M., Dia, O., Gueye, I., kebe, A. (2026). Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal. Science Journal of Energy Engineering, 14(2), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Diop, M.; Dia, O.; Gueye, I.; kebe, A. Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal. Sci. J. Energy Eng. 2026, 14(2), 32-40. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Diop M, Dia O, Gueye I, kebe A. Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal. Sci J Energy Eng. 2026;14(2):32-40. doi: 10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11,
  author = {Moustapha Diop and Oumar Dia and Ibrahima Gueye and Abdoulaye kebe},
  title = {Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal},
  journal = {Science Journal of Energy Engineering},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {32-40},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjee.20261402.11},
  abstract = {This study presents a theoretical comparative analysis of photovoltaic systems using Fixed-Tilt and dual-axis solar tracking structures, applied to rural electrification. The analysis focuses on the village of Kakouda, located in the Kaffrine region of Senegal, and is based on local meteorological data, particularly solar irradiation and ambient temperature, combined with mathematical models describing the apparent motion of the sun. Energy performance is evaluated using monthly energy production, solar irradiation, and Peak Sun Hours. The results show that, for the same installed capacity of 70 kWp, dual-axis solar tracking systems provide an average annual energy gain of 23.57 %. When systems are sized to meet a given energy demand of 230 kWh per day, solar tracking enables a reduction in installed capacity of approximately 23 %. These results confirm the technical advantages of solar trackers in terms of energy gain and land-use efficiency, resulting in a reduced number of photovoltaic modules. However, for small-scale community photovoltaic systems, the additional energy production corresponds to a relatively modest benefit compared to the higher investment and maintenance costs associated with tracking systems. This study highlights the need to identify an optimal compromise between energy performance and overall system cost, and emphasizes the importance of developing simplified, low-cost, and energy-efficient solar tracking solutions adapted to the specific technical, economic, and territorial conditions encountered in Senegal.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Performance Comparison of Fixed-Tilt and Dual-Axis Solar Tracking Systems: A Case Study on Rural Electrification in Senegal
AU  - Moustapha Diop
AU  - Oumar Dia
AU  - Ibrahima Gueye
AU  - Abdoulaye kebe
Y1  - 2026/04/24
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
T2  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JF  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
JO  - Science Journal of Energy Engineering
SP  - 32
EP  - 40
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-8126
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjee.20261402.11
AB  - This study presents a theoretical comparative analysis of photovoltaic systems using Fixed-Tilt and dual-axis solar tracking structures, applied to rural electrification. The analysis focuses on the village of Kakouda, located in the Kaffrine region of Senegal, and is based on local meteorological data, particularly solar irradiation and ambient temperature, combined with mathematical models describing the apparent motion of the sun. Energy performance is evaluated using monthly energy production, solar irradiation, and Peak Sun Hours. The results show that, for the same installed capacity of 70 kWp, dual-axis solar tracking systems provide an average annual energy gain of 23.57 %. When systems are sized to meet a given energy demand of 230 kWh per day, solar tracking enables a reduction in installed capacity of approximately 23 %. These results confirm the technical advantages of solar trackers in terms of energy gain and land-use efficiency, resulting in a reduced number of photovoltaic modules. However, for small-scale community photovoltaic systems, the additional energy production corresponds to a relatively modest benefit compared to the higher investment and maintenance costs associated with tracking systems. This study highlights the need to identify an optimal compromise between energy performance and overall system cost, and emphasizes the importance of developing simplified, low-cost, and energy-efficient solar tracking solutions adapted to the specific technical, economic, and territorial conditions encountered in Senegal.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download