With climate change becoming one of the biggest threats faced by humanity, countries across the world are adopting renewable energy sources on a mass scale to transition away from fossil fuels. Among various renewables, solar energy has emerged as one of the most promising technologies due to continuous decline in the cost of solar panels and related equipment over the years. While fixed mount solar panels are sufficient to harness solar power, their efficiency is limited as they can only generate optimum energy when sun rays fall perpendicularly on the panels. This is where dual axis solar trackers come into play to maximize solar energy generation throughout the day.
What is a Dual Axis Solar Tracker?
A dual axis solar tracker, also known as two-axis tracker, is a system that allows solar panels to automatically rotate around two axes (north-south and east-west) to continuously face the sun as it moves across the sky each day. Unlike fixed mount or single axis trackers, dual axis trackers provide the most optimal installation configuration to absorb maximum solar radiation. They utilize advanced algorithms and electronic motors to accurately position the solar array towards the sun, thereby enhancing energy production significantly compared to fixed mount systems.
Key Components of a Dual Axis Solar Tracker
In Dual Axis Solar Tracker Market, CoherentMI describes how a typical dual axis solar tracker consists of the following key components:
- Solar Panel Array: Multiple solar panels are mounted on a movable structure to form an array. Larger arrays require robust trackers.
- Tracking Mechanism: Consists of motors, gears, bearings and frame to precisely rotate the panel array around horizontal and vertical axes.
- Control Unit: Intelligent control unit powered by microprocessors which calculates sun position and controls tracking motors accordingly through complex algorithms.
- Weather Sensors: Sensors to monitor environmental conditions like irradiance, wind speed etc. and protect systems during extreme weather.
- Foundation: Concrete or pile foundation to securely hold the heavy tracker structure and payload in all weather conditions.
Advantages of Dual Axis Solar Trackers
By continuously aligning solar panels perpendicular to sun rays, dual axis trackers provide several advantages over fixed systems:
- Increased Energy Yield: Trackers can boost annual energy production by 25-30% on average compared to fixed tilt installations.
- Higher ROI: The additional energy generated translates to better financial returns and quicker payback periods, often under 5 years.
- Maximized Land Utilization: Space requirements are reduced as higher power output is achieved from the same physical footprint.
- Consistency Throughout the Day: Output remains constant from dawn to dusk unlike fixed panels whose efficiency drops during midday and edge hours.
- Year-Round Optimization: Seasonal sun path variations are automatically compensated for enhanced winter performance.
Applications of Dual Axis Solar Trackers
Given these benefits, dual axis trackers are increasingly being deployed across various on-grid and off-grid applications worldwide:
- Utility Scale Projects: Large power plants spanning hundreds of acres utilize trackers to achieve economies of scale.
- Commercial & Industrial Rooftops: Trackers are mounted on rooftops and carports of big factories and warehouses.
- Residential Rooftops: Emerging self-installation dual axis kits allow homeowners to realize trackers’ full benefits.
- Off-grid &Microgrids: Remote villages, telecom towers and islands rely on tracked solar for consistent power supply.
- Agrivoltaics: Installing trackers above crops and grazing fields serves dual purpose of energy generation as well as livestock shelter.
- Solar Parks: Dedicated areas outside cities filled with trackers connected to transmission networks.
Market Outlook
The global dual axis solar tracker market is witnessing strong growth, driven by supportive renewable energy policies and declining Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of solar worldwide. According to a report by CoherentMI, the worldwide market is projected to surpass a value of US$ 4 Billion by 2026, registering a robust CAGR during the forecast period. Regions like the U.S., India, China, Middle East and Latin America are major contributors to this expansion. Ongoing technological innovations to reduce costs, enhance reliability and enable easy self-installation of trackers will unlock broader opportunities. However, specific factors like regional resource availability, policy incentives and grid infrastructural readiness will determine the adoption pace in various geographies.
As solar energy takes the center stage in combating climate change and meeting world’s growing power needs, technologies like dual axis trackers which maximize generation efficiencies will play a crucial role. Their advanced design allows harnessing maximum solar energy possible from the same physical footprint. With continuous price declines, trackers are already outcompeting conventional fixed racks in utility projects worldwide. Broader deployment across both large grids and off-grid applications holds immense potential to accelerate global energy transition to a renewable-intensive future.
