Solar panels are photovoltaic devices that generate electricity as a result of contact with sunlight. Solar panel trackers are innovative devices that improve solar panel performance by optimizing energy capture, leading to enhanced energy yields. The main function of solar panel trackers is to dynamically orient solar panels to track the sun's path, significantly increasing a solar system's efficiency. They are often ground-mounted and available in various configurations.
There are two main types of solar panel trackers, dual-axis and single-axis trackers. Dual-axis trackers meticulously follow the sun's path across both vertical and horizontal axes, offering up to 40% more energy yield than fixed systems. Single-axis trackers strike a balance between efficiency and simplicity, ideal for various installations.
There are several benefits of solar trackers. Solar panel trackers increase electricity generation by aligning panels optimally with the sun's path. Dual-axis trackers offer unmatched efficiency, generating up to 40% more electricity. Single-axis trackers boost output by 20-30% over fixed systems.
Given the significant cost of solar trackers, it’s important to weigh the benefits against potential drawbacks. While solar trackers boost energy production, they involve higher upfront costs and maintenance requirements, usually between $500-$1000 per tracker, depending on the type you choose. As the cost of solar panels continues to decline, solar trackers for residential solar panels are not as valuable as they used to be. This is largely because it’s typically cheaper and more efficient for homeowners to buy more solar panels rather than invest in a tracker.
What is a Solar Panel Tracker?
A solar panel tracker is a device that allows solar panels to follow the path of the Sun throughout the day to maximize their solar energy yield. Solar panel trackers are typically attached to the frame of a solar panel and are usually ground-mounted. Solar trackers are an easy way for homes and businesses to maximize the energy they generate from solar panels.
Solar panel trackers are vital when enhancing the efficiency of each solar panel. Solar panels with trackers are always positioned to capture sunlight by following the path of the sun throughout the day. As a result of this tracking movement, solar panels yield higher levels of energy than stationary panels. Through the course of the day, a stationary solar panel's angle becomes less optimal, resulting in less solar energy being captured. In contrast, a solar panel with a tracker maintains the most direct angle towards the sun throughout the day, harnessing more sunlight and, therefore, generating more electricity. This optimization ultimately leads to increased energy output, improved sustainability, and reduced energy costs.
What is the Importance of a Solar Panel Tracker?
A solar panel tracker is important because it allows for the more efficient harnessing of solar energy. With solar trackers, solar panels are automatically adjusted to capture maximum sunlight throughout the day. Conversely, static panels are only able to capture sunlight during peak sunlight hours. In other words, consumers face higher electricity output when installing a solar tracker, as opposed to static solar panels. In addition, solar trackers help lower electricity costs, since they increase the efficiency of solar panels, resulting in fewer solar panels needed. Lastly, using a solar tracker reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional electrical generation methods, such as burning fossil fuels.
How do Solar Panel Trackers Function?
Solar panel trackers operate by automatically adjusting the orientation of solar panels, ensuring they are optimally positioned in relation to the sun. Solar trackers, available in dual-axis and single-axis variants, enhance clean energy production by maximizing a panel's exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Solar panel trackers are available in different mounting methods, including pole-mounted and cantilever-mounted, as well as in different degrees of automation. This allows for flexibility when choosing the right tracker for your solar setup.
Solar panel trackers are composed of various components, including controllers, sensors, actuators, and motors. Controllers are essentially the brain of a solar tracker and are used to inform its directional motion. Solar tracker sensors measure the sunlight levels within an environment and relay this information to the controllers. Actuators enable the tracker to move when instructed by a controller, while motors power the actuator, allowing it to rotate or pivot. Together, these components help your solar arrays produce the maximum renewable energy possible.
There are three ways in which solar panel trackers function, which are as follows.
- Manual Solar Trackers: Manual solar trackers are devices that require moving by hand throughout the day. Whilst they offer a low-cost solar tracking solution, manual solar trackers require a degree of effort and attention to work at their full capacity.
- Passive Solar Trackers: A passive solar tracker follows the Sun's path by using the Sun's heat as a source of power. Passive solar trackers are a cost-effective solution but require maintenance and some technical know-how to effectively harness solar energy.
- Active Solar Trackers: Active solar trackers are devices that use motors or actuators to rotate a solar panel in the direction of the Sun. These types of trackers are the more expensive option, but they return the higher solar electricity yield of all three.
What types of Solar Panel Trackers are there?
There are two types of solar panel trackers, dual-axis trackers and single-axis. Both types of solar trackers offer a vast amount of advantages and help increase the efficiency of residential and commercial solar systems. The functions, benefits, and drawbacks of dual and single solar trackers are explained below.
1. Dual Axis Solar Panel Tracker
Dual-axis solar panel trackers are advanced devices designed to follow the sun's movement across the sky. A dual-axis solar panel tracker adjusts positions on both vertical and horizontal axes to optimize solar panel alignment. This movement allows the tracker to capture the sun's light more precisely throughout the day and seasons, enabling maximum exposure and energy yield. The key benefit of dual-axis trackers includes a significantly higher energy output. These trackers harness up to 40% more solar energy than fixed-tilt systems and 10-20% more than single-axis trackers.
Single-axis trackers, unlike dual-axis trackers, move only in one direction, either east-west or north-south, limiting their ability to optimize sunlight exposure throughout the day. While single-axis trackers improve solar energy production over fixed installations, their efficiency is less than dual-axis trackers. However, single-axis trackers have the advantage of a less complex mechanical system and lower maintenance costs.
2. Single Axis Solar Panel Tracker
Single-axis solar panel trackers are devices designed to follow the sun's movement across just one axis, typically from east to west. This design enables them to capture a substantial amount of sunlight throughout the day, improving the energy production of domestic and professional solar systems. A single-axis solar panel tracker is less complex, easier to maintain, and less expensive to install than dual-axis systems. Trackers installed on vertical axes are especially useful near the equator because most of the sun's movement occurs from east to west.
Single-axis solar trackers produce less energy than dual-axis trackers. However, the single-axis tracker will increase energy output by 20-30% over fixed solar panel installations. Comparatively, dual-axis trackers increase solar energy yields by up to 40%. Still, single-axis solar trackers are less prone to mechanical failure and require less maintenance, due to their simpler design. Essentially, single-axis trackers provide a balance between increased energy production and initial costs, while dual-axis trackers capture more potential solar energy.
What are the Pros and Cons of Solar Panel Trackers?
The pros and cons of solar panel trackers vary depending on their application and your needs. Generally, solar panel trackers offer benefits like increased energy yield, enhanced sunlight exposure, reduced land usage, and grid stabilization. However, the drawbacks are that they are more expensive, require regular maintenance, suitable for domestic roofs, and have durability issues due to exposure to harsh weather.
The four main benefits of installing solar panel trackers are listed below.
- Increased solar energy yield: Solar trackers maximize a solar panel’s exposure to the sun, therefore increasing the overall efficiency and clean energy output.
- Enhanced sunlight exposure: Solar trackers allow solar panels to follow the sun’s course throughout the day, ensuring the panels are always in the ideal position and angle to capture maximum sunlight.
- Reduced land usage: Solar trackers produce more energy than conventional fixed-panel solar systems, reducing the overall space needed to harness renewable energy.
- Grid stabilization: Through grid integration, solar trackers contribute to the stabilization of the power grid by supplying additional power during peak demand periods.
While solar panel trackers offer many advantages, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks before making a decision. Below are the four main drawbacks associated with using solar panel trackers:
- Cost: Solar panel trackers are more expensive than traditional fixed-panel solar systems, and the associated costs of installation often dissuade people from considering them as an investment.
- Maintenance: Solar trackers require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to work accurately and efficiently. This includes checking for loose parts or wear and tear issues, lubrication, and cleaning.
- Unsuitable for use on domestic roofs: Most solar panel trackers are quite bulky, meaning domestic roofs don’t generally withstand the weight. For this reason, solar systems with tracking devices installed are better suited for ground-mounting.
- Durability: The mechanical parts of solar panel trackers are exposed to harsh weather effects, leading to a higher chance of breakdowns and repairs compared to stationary solar panels. High winds especially affect the structural integrity of solar panel tracking systems, leading to a shortened lifespan.
How much does a Solar Panel Tracker cost?
A standard 4-kilowatt ground-mounted solar system is typically priced at approximately $13,000, in the United States. The tracking equipment itself varies in cost, ranging from $500 to over $1,000 per panel. Incorporating a single-axis tracking system on the same array would result in an increased cost of around $20,000. This represents an additional 57% compared to the cost of the fixed array, providing only a 35% boost in solar output. Opting for a dual-axis tracking system would further escalate the total cost, reaching approximately $26,000.
Are Solar Panel Trackers worth investing in?
Yes, solar panel trackers are worth investing in, depending on your solar system, location, and energy requirements. One of the biggest advantages of installing a solar tracker is that you get to increase the amount of sunlight reaching your solar panels, maximizing their efficiency and electricity output. Solar trackers reduce shade loss caused by nearby trees or buildings and improve solar energy output in low-light conditions, like on cloudy days.
Can Solar Panel Trackers Help Generate More Electricity?
Yes, solar panel trackers can help generate more electricity. They do this by maximizing a solar system's exposure to sunlight across the course of the day. Using trackers, solar panels are angled so that they capture more sunlight by tracking the sun's path through the sky. As a result, the amount of clean electricity generated increases. In optimum conditions, dual-axis solar trackers help PV panels generate up to 40% more electricity than non-tracking systems.
A solar tracker helps increase a system's performance during winter months when sunlight hours are shorter and the sun's angle is lower. On average, solar systems with trackers create up to 20% more electricity than fixed systems in winter periods. This helps ensure that homes and businesses are efficiently powered during the cold months when energy demands tend to be higher. Overall, solar trackers are a great way to optimize solar system efficiency regardless of environmental conditions.