What is a solar tracking system?

A solar tracking system (also called a sun tracker or sun tracking system) maximizes your solar system’s electricity production by moving your panels to follow the sun throughout the day, optimizing the angle at which your panels receive solar radiation.

Do solar trackers work with solar panels?

When solar trackers are coupled with solar panels, the panels can follow the path of the sun and produce more renewable energy for you to use. Solar trackers are usually paired with ground-mount solar systems, but recently, rooftop-mounted trackers have come onto the market.

How much does a solar tracker cost?

Adding solar trackers can significantly raise the price of a PV system installation. For instance, a standard 4-kilowatt ground-mounted solar system costs approximately $13,000. If you opt for a single-axis tracking system on the same array, the total cost would increase to about $20,000.

Why do solar panels need a tracking system?

As the sun moves, your panels might not be able to completely optimize the sun’s rays. Without a tracking system, your panels stay in one constant position, making them unsuitable for capturing maximum energy. Unlike fixed panels, trackers move across the sky by constantly adjusting the angle of your panels.

What is a solar tracker used for?

Solar trackers are used mostly for commercial solar projects. They could increase the efficiency of home solar panels, too, but most residential solar systems are roof-mounted, and roof-mounted solar trackers could make the panels more vulnerable to wind damage. How does a single-axis solar tracker work?

What are the benefits of a solar tracker?

The biggest benefit of a solar tracking system is that it offers a boost in electricity production. Generally, a solar panel system with a single-axis solar tracker installed sees a performance gain of 25 to 35 percent. A dual-axis tracker bumps performance up by another five to 10 percent.