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Trackers

One-axis trackers

Different one-axis trackers solutions are available on the market. Products include polar axis trackers, tilted N-S axis trackers, azimuth axis trackers and N-S horizontal axis trackers.

Two-axis trackers

Two-axis tracker products include azimuth-elevation trackers and declination-hour angle trackers.
read more about wind load related to position of the tracker (paper courtesy of Titan Tracker).

Titan trackers (courtesy: Titan Tracker)

Bifacial tracking concentrators

Bifacial PV modules are recently delivered by several manufacturers. Because there is either no or low price difference in the price of such bifacial and single sided modules it is reasonable to use bifacial modules which could produce 5-20% more energy (in comparison with monofacial PV module with the same nominal output power). Polar axis solar tracker and/or tracking concentrator is always mounted on high support structures (to avoid contact of the rotating PV array with the ground). It improves back side energy collection in comparison with fixed PV arrays or even roof integrated PV modules. The energy gain can be in the range 10-15% (for typical albedo 0.3). Air-flow around the modules and corresponding cooling is improved as well (especially in comparison with roof integrated modules).

   

Bifacial concentrator tracker, bifacial modules and standard bifacial tracker (Source/Copyright: Poulek Solar Co.Ltd).

Text and pictures courtesy Poulek Solar Co.Ltd. further information about solar trackers can also be found on Poulek Solar web pages.

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Webmaster's choice - interesting information about solar trackers with some literature available.

Photovoltaic large scale concentrators - application examples

The Rockingham Photovoltaic Trough Concentrator System

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have been developing photovoltaic (PV) concentrator technology since 1995. Funding has come from a number of sources, including Western Power from 1995 to 1997. In early 1998 Western Power joined a consortium with ANUTECH (the commercial arm of the ANU) and Solahart to apply for federal government funding for a 20kW pre-production system using the ANU technology. The Rockingham concentrator PV system was constructed by ANU and Solahart and commenced in November 1999. The system was connected to the public grid in July 2000.

Name and location: The Rockingham Photovoltaic Trough Concentrator System - Australia
PV system type: PV grid-connected
Operation commencement: 1999, on-grid 2000
PV module area: 154 m² (80 mirrors)
Rated power: 20 kW, 40 receivers 250 W each
Number of mirrors: 80 mirrors, 1,6 x 1,2 m each
Module mounting: double axis tracking, computer controlled position

The Rockingham Photovoltaic Trough Concentrator System
(courtesy: Australian National University - CSES)

Concentrating Photovoltaic Power Plant, Dallas

In March 1995, the Texas Utility Electric Company installed a 100 kW photovoltaic power plant at its new Energy Park in Dallas, Texas. The 100 kW plant consists of four east-west rows of collector modules, each 104 m in length and containing 72 photovoltaic modules. The system is connected to the public grid via DC to AC inverter and a transformer.

Name and location: Concentrating Power Plant, Texas Energy Park
PV system type: PV grid-connected
Operation commencement: on-grid 1995
Concentrator: Fresnel lens
Rated power: 100 kW
Number of modules: 288 modules - 4 rows with 72 modules each. Each module 430 Wp.

* Abbreviations - explanation

BG - Biogas as additional energy source in hybrid systems
BIPV - Building integrated photovoltaic system
BM - Biomass as additional energy source in hybrid systems
CONC - Concentrating photovoltaic system
CSC - Coloured solar cells
DI - Diesel fuel as additional source of energy in hybrid systems
DIST - Distributed photovoltaic system
GC - Grid-connected photovoltaic system
FC - Fuell cells as additional energy source in hybrid systems
FI - Facade-integrated system
FLEX - Flexible solar cells
FM - Facade-mounted system
HY - Hybrid photovoltaic system
NB - Noise barrier
PB - PV System part of a passive building
RES - Residental housing
RI - Roof-integrated photovoltaic system
RM - Roof-mounted photovoltaic system
SA - Standalone photovoltaic system
SV - "Shadow-Voltaic" system
TRAC - Tracking system
TRAN - Transparent modules
WI - Wind as additional source of energy in hybrid systems
WP - Water pumping
 

Trackers and photovoltaic concentrators - related web sites

ADES - Aplicaciones de Energías Sustitutivas S.L., company offers different renewable energy related products and sollutions including solar trackers.

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Alanod - Manufacturer of aluminium reflective sheets. Sheets, mainly used in lightning, can be used in concentrator systems also.

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Amonix Inc. - integrated high-concentration photovoltaic (IHCPV) systems. Since the early-1990s, Amonix has field-tested several IHCPV generating systems throughout the United States.

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Absolicon Solar Concentrator AB - Absolicon´s main product focus is solar concentrators shaped as parabolic troughs.

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DEGEREnergie - Single-axis active tracking systems for flat roofs, facades, dumps, and open spaces Dual-axis, active tracking systems for free-standing applications, on buildings and for fitting on different mast heights.

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D.L. Energypoint srl - D.L. Energypoint is a company that deals with the development of renewable power source and energy saving. Company with its efficient structure, covers whole Italy and relies on a strong network of co-workers and agreements with companies distributed around the Italian country. The Company designes and constructs photovoltaic systems exploiting the solar tracker patent.

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Edmund Optics - Edmund Optics offers a variety of solar optical components supporting photovoltaic technologies. Whether your project is in the early stages of Research and Development or you are ready for full-scale product launch, we are able to provide unique components that may pave the way for a greener tomorrow. From large Fresnel or glass condenser lenses to a variety of cold coated optics, many of our components have been used in photovoltaic applications for years.

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FEINA SCP - FEiNA SCP is a company dedicated to the Renewable Energy. Its main products are devices that follow the motion of the sun - solar trackers.

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IEA SHC Task 35 "PV/Thermal Solar Systems" - The objectives of this Task are to catalyse the development and market introduction of high quality and commercial competitive PV/Thermal Solar Systems and to increase general understanding and contribute to internationally accepted standards on performance, testing, monitoring and commercial characteristics of PV/Thermal Solar Systems in the building sector.

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Mecasolar - mecasolar is a company dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of high-technology dual axis solar tracking systems.

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Poulek Solar - The company was established in 1994 by group of solar energy professionals with long term engineering skil.

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Webmaster's choice - interesting information about solar trackers with some literature available.

STI norland - Since 2001, STi Norland has developed products and solutions for the photovoltaic solar energy sector, making it one of the pioneering companies in this sector.

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WS-Energia - WS Energia as a diversified set of "ready to install" products packages, from the DoubleSun® systems of high efficiency with solar concentration, or reliable solar tracking systems, or optimized systems for housing, or stand-alone systems for isolated areas or industrial applications, and also solar gardens systems.

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Solar20 - the Solar20's mission is to produce solar power at an investment of 1 USD/Wp. It seems to be possible by using of state-of-art solar cells that operate with 20% efficiency at a light concentration of 20 times (20 suns).

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checkSun (Galileo/GPS Timesignal for 2-axis Solar Tracking) - Specified as NMEA 0183 (ASCII) GPS signals are available worldwide. The purpose here is to use these signals for solar tracking: Time/Date for the position of the sun and geogr. coordinates to adjust the global data to retrieve relevant local facts for tracking. (Galileo starts 2008).

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SunTideTracer® - Inventors presentation

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SolarTec AG - SolarTec International AG focuses on Concentrating Photovoltaics (CPV), as well as, worldwide planning, turnkey realization, and management of PV power plants.

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SolFocus - The company’s mission is to provide innovative solar energy solutions which are competitive with fossil fuels. SolFocus has an expanding portfolio of products and technologies including solar concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems, intelligent tracking systems for CPV and flat panel PV systems.

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TITAN TRACKER - is a technology based company specialised in the design and manufacturing of dual-axis solar trackers. It was launched with a commitment of providing an entirely reliable solution to the market.

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Literature and more information

Libra, M., Poulek, V.: Bifacial PV Modules in Solar Trackers and Concentrators Physical Methods in Agriculture; Proceedings of the International Conference, Prague, August 27-30, 2001; Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York.
C-Rating Project: Test, rating and Specification of PV Concentrator Components and Systems Classification of PV concentrators.
Geyer, M. et all: EUROTROUGH - Parabolic Trough Collector Developed for Cost Efficient Solar Power Generation; 11th SolarPACES International Symposium on Concentrated Solar Power and Chemical Energy Technologies, Sept 4-6, 2002, Zurich, Switzerland (557 kB).
Erik Rossen personal pages. Some interesting information about solar concentrators and heliostats
Heliostats - Diverse Information and Links;
Solar Trackers - Electronic Cirquits and Design Tips.