This research focuses on the design and development of a hybrid energy harvesting system that combines solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with piezoelectric sensors to create an efficient and sustainable battery charging solution. Driven by the growing global demand for clean energy and the urgent need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, hybrid renewable energy systems offer a promising path forward. Our system captures energy from both sunlight and mechanical vibrations—such as those produced by footsteps ensuring more consistent power generation regardless of environmental conditions. An Arduino-based control unit regulates power flow and maintains stable voltage levels for battery charging, while an integrated LCD display provides real-time feedback on system performance. The hybrid design effectively addresses the limitations of each individual energy source: solar dependency on weather and piezoelectric reliance on physical motion. The inclusion of a solar tracking mechanism and footstep-based energy harvesting further enhances overall efficiency. This system holds considerable promise for applications in portable electronics, smart cities, and off-grid rural areas, contributing to the advancement of practical and sustainable renewable energy solutions.

The present study demonstrates a hybrid energy harvesting system that integrates piezoelectric and solar photovoltaic modules to generate clean and renewable power. The dual-source design effectively meets small- to medium-scale energy demands in public and semi-urban environments. Experimental analysis confirms that piezoelectric tiles efficiently convert mechanical pressure from footsteps into electrical energy, especially in high pedestrian-traffic locations such as malls, stations, airports, hospitals, and campuses. While the energy from a single step is small, continuous foot movement provides a considerable cumulative output. The solar photovoltaic module ensures stable daytime power, maintaining operation during periods of low footfall. This hybrid configuration leverages both intermittent kinetic and consistent solar energy, thereby enhancing voltage stability, improving efficiency, and ensuring reliable output. Optimized storage and power regulation circuits deliver clean, usable electricity suitable for low-power applications such as LED lighting, IoT-based devices, sensors, and mini charging systems. The performance is further improved through appropriate material selection, efficient piezoelectric tile design, and strategic solar panel positioning. This study concludes that hybrid piezoelectric–solar harvesting is technically feasible, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable. It offers a scalable solution that supports smart city initiatives and reduces dependence on fossil-based energy sources

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