What is Solar Tracking structure for Solar Panels?

A solar panel tracker is a device that enables solar panels to follow the movement of the sun throughout the day to optimize energy production. The tracker structure typically includes the following components:

1. Mounting System: This is the structure that attaches the solar panel to the tracker. The mounting system must be designed to withstand the weight and wind load of the solar panel. The Solar Mounting structure can be designed according to how many panels you want to stack. More panels have been stacked the higher will be the wind pressure and you have to add a higher power motor for rotating the structure.

2. Tracking Mechanism: The tracking mechanism is part of the tracker that allows the solar panel to move and follow the sun. It typically consists of an actuator or motor, a control system, and sensors to detect the sun's position. The tracking mechanism is of two types

• Single Axis: A single-axis solar tracker is a device that allows a solar panel to follow the sun's movement in one axis, typically east to west. This type of tracker can increase the energy output of a solar panel system by up to 25% compared to a fixed panel system.

Single-axis solar trackers are typically less expensive and require less maintenance than dual-axis trackers. They are most effective in areas where the sun's movement is mostly in one direction, such as in the northern hemisphere.

• Dual Axis: A dual-axis solar tracker is a device that allows a solar panel to follow the sun's movement in two axes, both east to west and up and down. This type of tracker can increase the energy output of a solar panel system by up to 40% compared to a fixed panel system.

Dual-axis solar trackers are more expensive and require more maintenance than single-axis trackers. They are most effective in areas where the sun's movement is not predominantly in one direction, such as near the equator or in areas with changing weather patterns. Dual-axis trackers can also be beneficial in installations where space is limited and maximum energy production is required.

3. Sensors: The sensors are used to detect the sun's position in the sky. These can be optical sensors, such as photodiodes, or mechanical sensors, such as limit switches.

                                      PhotoDiode                                  Mechanical Sensor

4. Control System: The control system is responsible for processing data from the sensors and adjusting the position of the solar panel accordingly. It may also include features such as remote monitoring and control. The control system can use designed by different controllers available in the market i.e. Raspberry Pi or Arduino. And Mechanical sensors can be worked according to the Sun timing according to the location where the system is executing.

Overall, the tracker structure for solar panels is designed to ensure that the panels are always oriented towards the sun to maximize energy production, and it may be a single-axis or dual-axis depending on the desired level of tracking precision.