Fixed Solar Panels Vs Tracking

The maximum output of the panels is achieved when the panels are perpendicular to the sun s rays.

Fixed solar panels vs tracking. Typical land use for fixed pv can be 4 to 5 acres per megawatt while a. In a world of rapidly decreasing prices for solar ppas increased power production is critical in helping project owners achieve a viable roi. Tracker systems are the alternative of standard installation with a different variety. An additional 20 of acreage for tracking systems is a good rule of thumb for checking the economics.

Trackers increase the production of a site by more than 15 to 25 over fixed tilt. The roi of a pv tracker vs. So why exactly are we seeing this shift from fixed tilt to single axis trackers. Most of the pv power plant designed fixed type of installation.

Compared to a fixed mount the additional cost per watt or premium to track is 1 33 per watt 2 24 0 91. That increases the installed cost for a tracked pv system from 8 63 to 9 96 per dc watt. The variety of trackers available from manufacturers like allearth solar and first sunergy makes it possible to find a unit that s just right for your needs. Lastly tracking systems are more expensive to maintain over the 25 year life of a system.

Typically fixed tilt systems require 4 5 acres per megawatt while tracking systems need 4 7 acres per megawatt. Benefits of fixed pv systems. This also leads to the second area of increased cost for solar tracking systems. One factor involves the light reception angles at the panels in which the intensity of the received solar radiation from the sun at the earth is affected significantly by the diurnal and seasonal movement of the earth.

Fixed rack system 3 vs tracked system 4 cost breakdown the tracking price is 2 24 per dc watt. A solar tracker will cost more money up front than a fixed solar panel system because it is a more complex technology and has moving parts. The performance of photovoltaic panels depends on many factors. Tracking systems offer greater levels of energy output compared to fixed solar arrays because they can follow the sun s movements.

Tracking systems have a larger area footprint per megawatt so space constrained areas will be less attractive for trackers.