###### Abstract  
Today, the world continuously investigates the promising potential of advanced and optimized technologies for harvesting green renewable energy sources, such as a solar tracking system (STS). This study presents an actual implementation of a single-axis solar tracking system (SAST), where an azimuth control scheme is developed to precisely follow the sun's orientation. This is demonstrated by computing in real-time the optimal azimuth angle based on the actual altitude, date, and time using an embedded microcontroller. At the same time, experimental comparisons using the azimuth-based control method compared with the proportional, integral, derivative (PID) control scheme and fixed-tilt PV systems (FTPV) are derived. Experimental results show that the developed azimuth solar tracker can autonomously follow the sun's orientation primarily from time and location-based information and independent from the actual solar irradiance. Nevertheless, the electrical energies gained from all three tested systems revealed that using the sensor-based STS would increase the net energy production by 12.68% compared to the azimuth-based SAST, with an energy production increase of 7.7%. In addition, energy consumption by the azimuth-based STS is 65% greater than the energy consumption of a sensor-based STS due to the continuous movements of the tracker, regardless of the increase or change in power production within short periods. renewable energy; solar tracking; optimization; single-axis tracker; azimuth-based control +
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and methodologies have been presented [11]. This necessitates complex mathematical calculations and precise observations of many solar energy characteristics. The basic parameters in the solar energy field are solar irradiance, Greenwich Time, and Solar Time [12; 13; 14]. Several factors should be estimated or quantified to identify PV modules' appropriate azimuth and alignment [15]. Based on control strategies, solar tracking systems can be classified into active and passive types [16]. Microprocessors are used in active tracking systems to control the movement of panels via motors and gears [17]. The sun's temperature is used to heat a liquid and inflate it into gas in passive solar tracking devices. The thicker fluid can be pushed to the shaded container, shifting the weight to that side, providing a pressure gradient that allows movement and rotation [18]. The number of axes required to move the photovoltaic panels horizontally, vertically, or perhaps both dictates the system's sophistication. Single-axis tracking (SAT) and dual-axis tracking (DAT) are the two major types [19; 20; 21]. In each design, mechanical drives can be used as linear actuators, gearboxes, and DC motors [22]. A single-axis tracking (SAT) system has a single axis around which the panel can be rotated to align it orthogonal to the sun's rays. The north meridian axis is the best alignment [23]. Based on optimal angle estimates, [24] suggested a discrete single-axis solar tracker that actuates just three times each day. Experiments revealed that this tracking system provided roughly 90-94% of the solar energy produced by a similar continuous solar tracking system. Some of the single-axis tracking system designs (SAT) are vertically aligned, horizontal aligned, horizontal with inclined units, and polar aligned. In comparison to dual-axis trackers (DATs), single-axis trackers (SATs) are less expensive and less complex, but they are less efficient [25; 26]. An SAT produces more than 20% of the average power of a fixed panel. The mechanical movement of a basic SAT solar module is controlled by a PIC microcontroller depending on the specified location of the sun [27; 28]. [PERSON] et al. [29] devised an SAT system controlled by a PIC microcontroller to achieve maximum production. [PERSON] et al.