To increase solar yield and electricity production solar trackers and concentrator systems are sometimes used. Large portion of the text published on this site is published with permission of Poulek Solar. Further information about solar trackers can also be found on Poulek Solar web pages.
To increase solar yield and electricity production solar trackers and concentrators are often used. A combination of trackers and plain concentrating mirrors as presented on the pictures below is the simplest possibility and can be used at small photovoltaic systems as well at large scale PV power plants. The next time your company is renovating your office and considering what equipment or systems should be updated after an office clearance, consider switching to solar energy. Boost your company's green credentials, and use a natural and clean energy to power your work space. The right choice, for your company's energy, and the well-being of the planet, is in your hands.
PHOTOVOLTAIC TRACKERS BASIC FEATURES
Considering basic construction principles trackers can be devided into active and passive solar trackers.
Active trackers
Electrooptical solar trackers are usually composed of at least one pair of antiparallel connected photoresistors or photovoltaic solar cells which are, by equal intensity of illumination of both elements, electrically balanced so that there is either no or negligible control signal on a driving motor. By differential illumination of electrooptical sensors a differential control signal occurs which is used to drive the motor to orient the apparatus in such a direction where illumination of the electrooptical sensors is equal and balance is restored. Such high accuracy trackers are intended mainly for concentrator solar systems. These trackers are complex and, therefore, expensive and unreliable. Active solar trackers based on clockworks or combining both principles exist.
Passive solar trackers
Passive solar trackers are based on thermal expansion of matter (freon) or on shape memory alloys. They are usually composed of a couple of actuators working against each other which are balanced by equal illumination. By differential illumination of actuators, the resulting unbalance of forces is used for orientation of the apparatus in such a direction where equal illumination of actuators and balance of forces is restored. Passive solar trackers, compared to active trackers, are less complex but they are working with lower efficiency and at low temperatures are not working at all.
ONE AND TWO AXIS TRACKERS
One axis trackers
Different one-axis trackers solutions are available on the market. In table below different basic features of different one-axis tracker designs are presented.
| Tilted N-S axis tracker |
Rotation axis is tilted. |
| Polar axis trackers |
Axis tilt equals local latitude, incidence angle equals declination |
|
| Horizontal N-S axis tracker |
No shadows in the N-S direction, low wind profile, suitable for flat land |
| Azimuth axis tracker |
Adapt well to uneven land |
TABLE 1: One-axis trackers, basic construction features
Polar axis trackers in large scale PV power plants in Spain and China
(courtesy: Poulek Solar)
One-axis azimuth trackers (courtesy: Titan Tracker)
Two axis trackers
Two-axis tracker products include azimuth-elevation trackers and declination-hour angle trackers. Azimuth trackers can be pedestal mounted or with multiple support or wheel type support. In case of multiple support points wind resistance is better than for pedestal type trackers.
Two-axis trackers: right pedestal mounted tracker, left elevation-hour mounted tracker
(credit: pvresources)
| Azimuth-elevation tracker |
Pedestal type: Pile or slab single point foundation |
| Azimuth-elevation tracker |
More supporting points: lower wind profile, increased number of supporting points |
| Declination-hour angle |
Low wind profile |
TABLE 2: Two-axis trackers, basic construction features
PHOTOVOLTAIC TRACKERS WITH MIRRORS
Trackers with mirrors
A combination of solar trackers and concentrators is the best possibility and can be used at small and at large scale photovoltaic systems. The simplest tracker/mirror design combines solar tracker with flat booster mirrors. Most common solutions include V-trough mirrors or "upside down turned" V-trough mirrors like presented on the pictures below. It is advantageous that soft concentrators for photovoltaics do not need highly specular expensive mirrors. Weather resistant mirrors with high total reflectance are required. The mirror can be made of rolled stainless steel sheet with special surface finish, of rolled aluminium alloy sheet (plated with pure aluminium) protected by a weather resistant polymer (PVF) film, of silver coated polymer (acrylic) film or sheet, of aluminium coated polymer (acrylic) film sheet, or silver coated hardened glass.
Polar axis trackers with concentrators (courtesy: Poulek Solar)
One-axis azimuth trackers, with mirrors
(courtesy: Centro Ricerche ISCAT)
Bifacial tracking concentrator
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 concentrators (courtesy: Poulek Solar)
PHOTOVOLTAIC TRACKERS WEB SITES
Tracker producers
ADES - ADES Aplicaciones de Energías Sustitutivas, offers different renewable energy related products and sollutions including solar trackers.
Website also available in: 
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.
Website also available in:
D.L. Energypoint - D.L. Energypoint is a company that deals with the development of renewable power source and energy saving. The Company designes and constructs photovoltaic systems exploiting the solar tracker patent.
Website also available in:
FEiNA - Trackers FEiNA S.L. is a company dedicated to the Renewable Energy as Design, Engineering and Marketing equips.
Website also available in:
KEMPER Solar -
In the field of solar technology KEMPER develops, manufacture and distribute safe and solid dual-axis tracking systems for photovoltaic modules from a module
area of 60 m2.
Website also available in:
Mecasolar - mecasolar is a company dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of high-technology dual axis solar tracking systems.
Website also available in:
Poulek Solar - the company was established in 1994 by group of solar energy professionals with long term engineering skil.
Website also available in: 
PV trackers - with a history in wind turbines, solar inverters, motor controls, fuel cells, silicon fabrications and much more, the PV Trackers team has come together to design, develop and implement innovative, market-leading PV solutions for our partners. PV Trackers is dedicated to successful, cost-effective solar installations.
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.
Website also available in:
TITAN TRACKER - TITAN TRACKER breaks from the usual trend of mounted-pole systems and offers remarkable advantages in the complete life-cycle of the installation
Website also available in:
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.
Website also available in: 
Trackers - equipment
ZIMM Solar - ZIMM is an international operating austrian family owned company. Their product portfolio includes actuators for sun trackers..
Website also available in:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Books
 |
Libra, M., Poulek, V.: Bifacial PV Modules in Solar Trackers and Concentrators; Physical Methods in Agriculture: Approach to Precision and Quality;  Proceedings of the International Conference, Prague, August 27-30, 2001; Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York, ISBN 978-0306474309.
|
| |
Libra, M., Poulek, V.: Solar Energy; Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, Prague 2006, ISBN 80-213-1489-3.
|
Reports
 |
Shingleton, J.: One-Axis Trackers – Improved Reliability, Durability, Performance, and Cost Reduction; Final Subcontract Technical Status Report, Shingleton Design LLC, NREL. Subcontract Report, NREL/SR-520-42769, February 2008.
|
Papers
| |
Rubio, F.R. et al.: Application of new control strategy for sun tracking, Energy Conversion and Management 48, 2007, pp.2174–2184.
|
| |
Rauth, H.U. et al.: Annually generated electricity of one and two axes solar tracking systems, Proc. 13th European PV Solar Energy Conference, Nice, 23-27 October 1995, pp.1015-1018.
|
| |
Poulek,V., Libra,M.: New solar tracker, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 51, 2, 1998, pp.113-120.
|
| |
Poulek,V., Libra,M.: A New Low Cost Tracking Ridge Concentrator, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 61, 2, 2000, pp.199-202.
|
| |
Klotz, F.H.: PV systems with V-trough concentration and passive tracking concept and economic potential in Europe, Proc.13th European PV Solar Energy Conference, Nice 23-27 October 1995, pp.1060-1063.
|
| |
Nann, S.: Potentials for tracking photovoltaic systems and V-troughs in moderate climates, Solar Energy, Volume 45, 1991, pp.385-393.
|
| |
Nostell, P. et al.: Ageing of solar booster reflector materials, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 54, 1998, pp.235-246.
|
| |
Perers, B. et.al.: Intensity Distribution in the Plane From Structured Booster Reflectors With Rolling Grooves and Corrugations, Solar Energy, Volume 53, pp.215-226.
|
| |
Schissel, P. et al.: Silvered PMMA reflectors, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, 33, 1994, pp.183-197.
|
| |
Stacey, R.W., McCormick, P.G.: Effect of Concentration on the Performance of Flat Plate Photovoltaic Modules, Solar Energy, Volume 33, Issue 6, 1984, pp.565-569.
|
Web sites