Why is solar panel tracking system important?

Solar trackers have become important components of solar PV installations, But solar tracking systems come with a high price tag. Rather than remaining stationary like most solar racks, solar trackers actively follow the sun throughout the sky, resulting in a greater percentage of the sun's energy being converted into electricity. So Why is solar panel tracking system important?



What is a solar tracker?

A solar tracker is a device that follows the sun as it moves across the sky. When solar trackers are coupled with solar panels, the panels can follow the path of the sun and produce more renewable energy for you to use.

Solar trackers are usually paired with ground mount solar systems but recently, rooftop-mounted trackers have come onto the market.

Typically, solar tracking equipment will be connected to the racking of the solar panels. From there, the solar panels will be able to move along with the movement of the sun.

Types of solar trackers

Solar trackers are of two types, single and dual axis trackers. Single axis trackers track in a singular way i.e. Follows the Sun's East-West or North-South movement, while Dual axis tracking has two degrees of freedom. This means that they have both a horizontal and a vertical axis i.e. Both the east/west axis and the north/south axis and thus they can track the sun's entire motion in the sky. These trackers hence have the potential to maximize the total power output by orienting the panels in direct sunlight for the maximum number of hours in a day.

A dual axis solar panel generates up to 40% more electricity than a static type, but costs 100% more and has larger maintenance costs. The amount of energy spent externally to orient the solar panel must be deducted from the total amount of energy produced in order to accurately gauge the energy produced by the panels.



Pros of solar trackers

● Trackers generate more electricity than their stationary counterparts due to increased direct exposure to solar rays. This increase can be as much as 30 to 40% depending on the geographic location of the tracking system.

● Solar trackers are very beneficial in areas with Time of Use electricity rates. More energy will be able to be produced during peak hours, which means you won't have to pay for grid energy when it's most expensive.

● There are many different kinds of solar trackers, such as single-axis and dual-axis trackers, all of which can be the perfect fit for a unique jobsite. Installation size, local weather, degree of latitude and electrical requirements are all important considerations that can influence the type of solar tracker best suited for a specific solar installation.

Cons of solar trackers

● Solar trackers are very expensive and can easily double project costs.

● Even with the advancements in reliability, there is generally more maintenance required than a traditional fixed rack, though the quality of the solar tracker can play a role in how much and how often this maintenance is needed.

● Trackers are a more complex system than fixed racking. This means that typically more site preparation is needed, including additional trenching for wiring and some additional grading.



The importance of solar tracking systems

Solar trackers offer the greatest value proposition in large ground-mounted solar installations, especially in high latitude locations where there is extensive variation in the path of the sun between summer and winter. In these large commercial projects, the long-term benefit of increased production is enough to offset the initial investment cost and maintenance costs.

Overall, solar trackers are highly efficient installations and are a great fit for both large and small project sites given the proper location and site conditions. Therefore, the economic viability of solar trackers is directly dependent upon the space available to set up a solar plant.