Tracking Vs Fixed Solar Panels

When it comes to cost the difference between fixed solar whether it be roof or ground mount and solar tracker systems generally comes down to whether you want to spend less money up front or save considerably more over the life system.

Tracking vs fixed solar panels.

They tend to have higher installation and maintenance costs. Tracking systems offer greater levels of energy output compared to fixed solar arrays because they can follow the sun s movements. Compared to a fixed mount the additional cost per watt or premium to track is 1 33 per watt 2 24 0 91. Trackers increase the production of a site by more than 15 to 25 over fixed tilt.

Tracker systems are the alternative of standard installation with a different variety. If you put six 305w panels on a tracker the rated output on your system is 1830w. Most of the pv power plant designed fixed type of installation. You can buy hardware for a standard fixed ground mount for about 80 per panel.

Benefits of fixed pv systems. That increases the installed cost for a tracked pv system from 8 63 to 9 96 per dc watt. Pros of solar trackers. The roi of a pv tracker vs.

Fixed rack system 3 vs tracked system 4 cost breakdown the tracking price is 2 24 per dc watt. The variety of trackers available from manufacturers like allearth solar and first sunergy makes it possible to find a unit that s just right for your needs. Fixed tracking systems offer more field adjustability than single axis tracking systems. In a world of rapidly decreasing prices for solar ppas increased power production is critical in helping project owners achieve a viable roi.

Typically fixed tilt systems require 4 5 acres per megawatt while tracking systems need 4 7 acres per megawatt. Lastly tracking systems are more expensive to maintain over the 25 year life of a system. This research is an empirical financial assessment of the benefit of using a dual axis sun tracker versus a fixed flat position as well as a comparison of the performance of the two panels under such settings. A ground mount for a six panel system will cost about 480 in materials.

An additional 20 of acreage for tracking systems is a good rule of thumb for checking the economics. Let s compare both options. A solar tracker will cost more money up front than a fixed solar panel system because it is a more complex technology and has moving parts. On the other hand it s also possible to produce more energy with the same quantity pv panels and inverters.

Fixed systems can generally accommodate up to 20 slopes in the e w direction while tracking systems typically offer less of a slope accommodation usually around 10 in the n s direction.