Fixed Solar Panels Vs Tracking

This research is an empirical financial assessment of the benefit of using a dual axis sun tracker versus a fixed flat position as well as a comparison of the performance of the two panels under such settings.

Fixed solar panels vs tracking.

Residential and small capacity commercial or industrial rooftop solar panels and solar water heater panels are usually fixed often flush mounted on an appropriately facing pitched roof. Typically fixed tilt systems require 4 5 acres per megawatt while tracking systems need 4 7 acres per megawatt. A solar tracker is a device that follows the sun as it moves across the sky. Fixed systems can generally accommodate up to 20 slopes in the e w direction while tracking systems typically offer less of a slope accommodation usually around 10 in the n s direction.

Trackers increase the production of a site by more than 15 to 25 over fixed tilt. Solar trackers are usually paired with ground mount solar systems but recently rooftop mounted trackers have come onto the. Only x axis tracker only y axis tracker xy dual axis tracker and azimuth tracker systems during the design consider tracker system has higher initial investment cost than non tracking system and maintenance cost the biggest advantage is producing more energy in the same area tracker system designer says that up to 30 more energy. The maximum output of the panels is achieved when the panels are perpendicular to the sun s rays.

Possible types of installation can be shown on the picture. Benefits of fixed pv systems. Advantages of fixed mounts over trackers include the following. In a world of rapidly decreasing prices for solar ppas increased power production is critical in helping project owners achieve a viable roi.

Fixed tracking systems offer more field adjustability than single axis tracking systems. Fixed pv systems when it comes to cost the difference between fixed solar whether it be roof or ground mount and solar tracker systems generally comes down to whether you want to spend less money up front or save considerably more over the life system. An additional 20 of acreage for tracking systems is a good rule of thumb for checking the economics. 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.

The roi of a pv tracker vs. Lastly tracking systems are more expensive to maintain over the 25 year life of a system. Compared to a fixed mount the additional cost per watt or premium to track is 1 33 per watt 2 24 0 91.