Solar Power Cells, Hot Water, Energy, Collectors

On Track for Maximum Solar Production

01.01.70

Given the need to generate as much energy as possible from their solar installations, residential and commercial customers are increasingly considering ground-mounted solar tracking systems as alternatives to fixed roof- or ground-mount systems where conditions allow. Solar trackers follow the sun during its entire daily trajectory to maximize the amount of energy they capture. Ground-mounted tracking systems comprise photovoltaic (PV) arrays built on pole mount units, which incorporate either a single- or dual-axis design. A solar tracker’s ability to keep PV panels at a perpendicular angle to the sun from dawn to dusk yields considerably higher energy than fixed PV systems of the same size. 

Tracker movement relies on either passive or active drive mechanisms. Passive trackers follow the sun’s movement using thermal actuators or light sensors that identify the sun’s position so the unit can rotate to face it. Active solar trackers, on the other hand, use motors to propel units and incorporate GPS technology to track the sun based on the array’s geographical location. An advantage of active tracking systems is that rather than follow the sun as passive systems do, they use preprogrammed algorithms to automatically align themselves according to the sun’s daily coordinates. Data shows that this precise tracking of the sun as it traverses the sky results in solar energy production that’s 35%-45% higher than that provided by fixed roof- or ground-mounted systems and 10%-15% higher than passive tracking systems.

Source: RenewableEnergyWorld.com