A solar tracker is a device or system that adjusts the orientation of solar panels or solar collectors to optimize their angle and alignment with the sun throughout the day. The primary goal of a solar tracker is to maximize the amount of sunlight that the solar panels receive, which in turn increases the efficiency of energy generation from the solar panels. Solar trackers are commonly used in solar power generation systems to enhance energy output and improve the overall performance of solar installations.
Solar panels generate the most energy when they are directly facing the sun, as this maximizes the solar irradiance (sunlight intensity) that falls onto the panels' surface. The angle at which the solar panels are inclined relative to the sun's position in the sky greatly affects the amount of energy they can capture. In a fixed solar panel installation, panels are usually positioned at a fixed angle or tilt based on the latitude of the installation site. However, this fixed angle is not always optimal for capturing the most sunlight throughout the day.
Solar trackers solve this problem by continuously adjusting the orientation of the solar panels to follow the sun's path across the sky. There are two main types of solar trackers:
Single-Axis Solar Trackers: These trackers move the solar panels along one axis, typically the horizontal axis (azimuth), from east to west. This allows the panels to follow the sun's movement from sunrise to sunset, maintaining a more direct angle with the sun.
Dual-Axis Solar Trackers: These trackers move the solar panels along both the horizontal axis (azimuth) and the vertical axis (elevation). Dual-axis trackers provide even more precise tracking, as they can adjust the panels to account for the changing sun angle throughout the day and throughout different seasons.
The tracking mechanism of solar trackers can be automated using various methods:
Light Sensors: Light sensors or photodiodes detect the position of the sun in the sky and send signals to the tracker to adjust the panel's orientation accordingly.
Position Algorithms: Mathematical algorithms calculate the sun's position based on the date, time, and location, and use this information to control the tracker's movement.
GPS and Compass Systems: These systems use GPS signals and compass readings to determine the sun's position and guide the solar tracker's movement.
Feedback Control: Sensors on the solar panels provide feedback about their current orientation, allowing the tracker to make real-time adjustments to maintain optimal alignment.
By continually aligning solar panels with the sun, solar trackers can significantly increase the amount of electricity generated by solar installations, often by around 20% to 40% compared to fixed-angle installations. However, solar trackers are more complex and expensive than fixed installations, so their implementation is often chosen based on factors such as energy output requirements, available space, and cost considerations.