www.SolarTracker.companyOther solar products and services

Solar TrackersSolar trackers are devices that help solar systems to track the movement of the sun at any given period and align accordingly to the sun’s path as required. The solar trackers are generally classified into two types:

Single Axis Trackers Dual Axis Trackers

Single Axis TrackersThese trackers have only one degree of freedom i.e. they rotate along one axis only. The single axis trackers are mostly used for utility scale photovoltaic plants to increase the yield by 25 to 30%. The single axis trackers are further classified into the following categories based on the axis of rotation:

Horizontal single axis tracker Vertical single axis tracker Tilted single axis tracker Polar aligned single axis tracker

Horizontal Single Axis TrackerThe horizontal single axis tracker has its rotating axis parallel to the ground. Generally the

axis will be oriented in the North-South axis. This type of single axis tracker can share a common shaft of rotation and hence is one of the most economically viable trackers.

Vertical Single Axis TrackerThe vertical single axis tracker has its rotating axis parallel to zenith i.e. it is perpendicular to

the ground. These trackers are more effective in higher altitudes and are extensively used where the ground is not uniform as compared to horizontal single axis trackers. They track the sun from east to west.

Tilted Single Axis TrackerAll trackers whose axis of rotation is neither horizontal nor vertical and is in between are

classified as tilted single axis tracker. They are very similar to vertical single axis tracker in working and hence have similar advantages.

Polar Aligned Single Axis TrackerThis is new and popular method of single axis tracking. It employs the same method as

mounting an astronomical telescope. This system has 2 axis, but only one movable axis. The fixed axis is aligned parallel to the axis of Earth’s rotation and the movable axis rotates and tracks the sun from east to west.

Dual Axis TrackersThese trackers have two degree of freedom i.e. they rotate along one primary axis and

another secondary axis. The dual axis trackers are mostly used for utility scale solar thermal power plants to accurately track the Sun’s movement. The dual axis trackers are further classified into the following categories:

Tip-Tilt dual axis tracker Azimuth-altitude dual axis tracker

Tip – Tilt Dual Axis TrackerThe tip – tilt dual axis tracker is a very simple dual axis tracker. Here the azimuth angle is

fixed and the primary axis rotates like a horizontal single axis tracker while the secondary axis coupled with a ‘T’ or ‘H’ shaped mechanism rotates it in the vertical direction. The primary axis can be shared with the adjacent modules and hence it reduces cost of installation and is cheaper compared to azimuth – altitude dual axis tracking.

Azimuth – Altitude Dual Axis TrackerIn an azimuth – altitude dual axis tracker the primary axis is vertical axis and the secondary

axis is tilted with respect to the altitude angle of the Sun. the main advantage of this system is it has higher load carrying capacity compared to tip – tilt dual axis trackers, but have lesser module density as they cannot be placed very close to each other.

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