How Solar Trackers Work

Calculate the optimal solar angle
By expgreen

A solar tracker is a system where solar panels follow the sun throughout the day - retaining the best angle for maximum radiation exposure.

They change the tilt and direction of solar panels as the sun moves.

Solar modules are mounted on tracking frames, connected to a solar actuator - which acts like a hydrolic lift or extender.

As the sun moves across the sky, the actuator extends and moves the solar panel in order to keep the optimal angle with the sun.

Working with solar trackers is becoming increasingly popular in both domestic and utility scale systems as it boosts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic installations.

The LINAK Solar Park in Denmark found that by adding trackers to their solar modules, they could get 30-40 percent additional electricity output.

The solar park was a green initiative of the LINAK company, setup next their headquarters. It is expected to generate around 90,000 kilowatt hours per year.

Many large utility solar parks are also using solar tracker systems, such as Italy's 80,000 module Montalto di Castro.




First published May 1, 2012
Last updated February 4, 2021

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 comments on “How Solar Trackers Work”

  1. I am a international stenudt, and this is the second draft for my final essay in English class.It's a compare/contrast essay, please fix my grammar errors, word choice, verb tense and enhance the conclusion paragraph. Thank you! Green Roofs or Solar Roofs ? You want to contribute to our earth but have no idea? Everyone knows Global warming and unban heat island effect are making inroads into the places where you and your family live. We all know that is a serious issue, and also have positive attitude toward it.Suppose that you are not a boss of an enterprise, therefore, you are powerless to decide how to emission air pollution or recycle resources. Don’t be discouraged! You still have a way that is to develop the idea of green design to protect our earth. Green design is an internationaltheme that has been discussing for many years, and was promoted in “Leaders Summit Meeting” in Brazil in 1992. It is called Ecological Building in Japan and Sustainable Building in Europe. How to put the idea in use? Home Green Design is an affordable way for everyone. I am going to introduce two ways to save energy. They are green roof and a roof covered by solar panels. This essay will show their advantages and disadvantages of the following: 1. Expense; 2. Workingrequirement; 3.Function. Despite the fact that everyone knows the benefit of solar panels, I will argue that green roof is worth than solar panels. First, you do really care about the expense that green roof and solar panels might cost. For a100 sq foot, you need about $25,000 to install solar panels on your rooftop. The system works at least 25 years. On the other hand, it will cost you $1,000 per year. Is that worth? Itdepends on your personal utility rate of electricity. You would save a small amount of money if you are living with a big family. But a fact that you have to consider is one dollar tomorrow probably won’t have same value as today. Otherwise, you still need to pay the upkeep of the system every year and the charge of basic power for keeping it working. It is priced $1,500 for the same area as 100 sq foot, and the maintenance will not be the problem. Basically then, all you need is a waterproof rooftop, a layer of soil and a bag of seeds. The idea of Green Roof is much cheaper obviously and has lower maintenance than solar panels by comparison. Next is the working conditions that for each one. Before you choose one of them, you might need to consider that the area you live is sunnier or cloudier. Solar panels that as the name hints, is a system that has to be solarized under sunshine. In addition to sunshine, theGreen Roof also needs adequate raining to support them growing. If we simply consider that the best environments for them, solar panels need less conditions than green roof. Actually, solar panels will still work on a cloudy day. Of course, no one expects that the system can maintain same efficiency as it used to be on a sunny day. However, that is probably enough for keeping a lamp plus a computer working for one day. Unfortunately, solar panels do not fit in a winded area, because the panels might be damaged by blown stuff. In this stage, they are almost in a tie. Taking that green roof is working 24 hours a day into account, I guess that green roof is a little bit better than solar panels. Lastly I will compare the most important part which is the function of them. In theory, solar panels can basically reduce your energy consumption. What would be powered with solar electricity are the things such as the refrigerator, the computers, the TVs and the airconditioning, etc. Sounds great! But something you do not know is solar panels efficiency averages only 20% to 40%. Solar panels catch sunlight and convert to another type of power that we usually use for home electronic appliances. The system loses much energy during theconversion process. You can’t make appliances working unless you get enough energy from sunlight. So how about green roof and its benefits? It not only filters rains and air pollutants, but also keeps the house warmer in winter and emissions heat in summer. Sometimes it caneven provide a habitat for birds and some small animals. To choose solar panels or green roof is a fascinating question. It is a tough choice for either, I will personally choose green roof anyway. Solar panels are still an immature technology somehow, especially in converting energies. In addition, price is also a point to be considered. I believe that to protect living environments is important for individuals, but it is unacceptable ifno one can solve the problems that I mentioned before.

  2. Dear Sirs,

    How do you do, Sirs?

    We are introducing and recommending an excellent Anemometer

    using Tracker Solar Device to you as followings.

    Our company - MC TECHNOLOGY LTD.- is located in Busan, Korea Republic of.
    We are selling this product - Anemometer TX320P - successfully in the domestic market

    and exporting to USA, India, South Africa and Thailand etc.

    Our main product -TX320P- is used for the Tracking typd Moving Solar Power Generation

    as a Wind Speed Transfer Device which is made of special Aviation Materials.

    The average product lifetime of TX320P is almost to be become 7-8 years surely from installation.

    We have some Testing Reports issued by public institutions and the delivery performance of the various companies, including Korea Meteorological Agency.

    Despite under the bad weather environment,

    TX320P was already improved to be a Zero Failure Rate by public institutions

    and our company is a professional weather conditions venture Enterprise

    which was achieved in Standardization & Specification in this field.

    Our Anemometer TX320P is also used for Tower Cranes, Thermal Power Generation,

    Special Equipped Vehicles for the Ladder and other industrial various purposes.

    For your reference, we are hereby enclosing the product picture as attached file.

    We hope to extend market share to your country in future under your assistance.

    Could you find us some excellent buyers for Tracking Device of Solar Power in your country?

    We will do our best for your successful business in your country in future.

    -. FOB Busan port PRICE : transported by SHIP

    Q'TY 10sets below : USD780/set

    11-50sets : USD750/set

    51-100sets : USD730/set

    101sets over : USD700/set

    -. Minimum of Order Quantity : 10sets

    -. Payment : Prepayment by TT

    -. Delivery : within 10days after receipt of prepayment

    Looking forward to contact us anytime, if you are interested in our product - TX320P.

    Sincerely Yours,

    Steve Song/Export Managing Director

    MC TECHNOLOGY LTD.

    4F, Changwon Bldg., 662-6, Jeonpo-2Dong,

    Busanjin-Gu, Busan 614-865, Korea Republic of.

    TEL : 82-51-311-5961 FAX : 82-51-311-5963

    Website : mc-technology.com

    E-Mail : kangwon4858 @ naver.com

    Mobile : 82-10-8008-6661

AboutPrivacy PolicyContact
Copyright © 2023 ExploringGreenTechnology.com
menu-circlecross-circle