A solar tracker is a device that orients solar panels or solar collectors toward the sun to maximize their exposure to sunlight. The primary goal of a solar tracker is to increase the efficiency of solar energy capture by ensuring that the solar panels are always facing the sun as it moves across the sky. This allows the panels to receive sunlight more directly, optimizing the angle of incidence and increasing the amount of energy harvested.
There are different types of solar trackers, but they all share the common objective of improving the performance of solar energy systems. Here are some common types of solar trackers:
- Single-Axis Solar Tracker:
- A single-axis solar tracker follows the sun’s movement along one axis, either horizontally (azimuth) or vertically (elevation). The most common type is the horizontal single-axis tracker, which moves the solar panels from east to west over the course of a day.
- Dual-Axis Solar Tracker:
- A dual-axis solar tracker adjusts the position of the solar panels along both the horizontal and vertical axes. This allows for more precise tracking of the sun’s movement, capturing sunlight from different angles throughout the day and year.
- Azimuth Solar Tracker:
- An azimuth solar tracker adjusts the horizontal position of the solar panels, following the sun’s path from east to west.
- Elevation Solar Tracker:
- An elevation solar tracker adjusts the vertical tilt of the solar panels, optimizing the angle to the sun’s height in the sky.
- Passive Solar Tracker:
- A passive solar tracker uses mechanical or pneumatic systems that respond to changes in temperature or sunlight intensity to adjust the position of the solar panels. These trackers do not require external power for their operation.
