TrackerSystems

Interactive simulation calculating the energy yield for 6 types of mounting systems: Fixed and five different type of solar trackers.

Results

  1. The six types of mounting systems are: Full (2-axis) trackers, Vertical Axis Trackers (VAT), Polar Trackers, Horizontal Axis Trackers (HAT-NS) with axis in North-South direction, Fixed, and Horizontal Axis Trackers (HAT-EW) with axis in East-West direction
  2. A full tracker can yield up to 70% more energy than fixed system
  3. Horizontal Trackers East-West does not yield significantly more energy than fixed arrays.
  4. Horizontal Trackers North-South are more effective at lower latitude.
  5. VAT and polar trackers are only 5% less efficient than full trackers
  6. Selecting optimum panel tilt is critical to annual system performance of VAT, Polar trackers and fixed array

EcoSmart uses computer programs developed in-house to optimize tracker systems and panel tilt with actual weather/ solar data

Technical Notes

  1. Trackers only improve direct energy yield and have not much effect on diffuse solar radiations
  2. The simulation uses typical direct / diffuse ratios
  3. The simulation is for an ideal clear, cloud-free day.
  4. Actual output based on real irradiation will differ from this simulation.