A solar tracker is a device that orients a payload toward the sun. Payloads can be photovoltaic panels, reflectors, lenses, or other optical devices. By following the sun’s trajectory, solar trackers enhance the amount of solar energy that these devices harvest, increasing overall efficiency compared to static installations. The primary types of solar trackers are single-axis and dual-axis. Single-axis trackers rotate on one axis moving back and forth in a single direction, generally east to west. Dual-axis trackers have the added capability to follow the sun vertically, which helps in capturing maximum sunlight as the sun’s elevation changes with seasons.
Solar trackers employ different drive mechanisms to move the payload, including hydraulic, electric, and mechanical drive systems. The choice of drive mechanism often depends on the scale of the solar installation and specific environmental factors such as wind load and corrosion potential. Control systems for solar trackers use GPS signals and light sensors to accurately gauge the sun’s position. The implementation of advanced algorithms in these systems ensures precise movement, even during cloudy or partially obscured conditions, thereby optimising the energy output. The increasing adoption of solar trackers is indicative of their potential to enhance energy production in large-scale solar projects, particularly in regions with high solar irradiance.
