Large-scale dual axis tracking arrays, monocrystalline silicon (Trina)
These dual-axis tracking arrays adjust the orientation of the panels through the day to maximise their exposure to the sun.
To take advantage of the available area on the tracking array, efficient monocrystalline panels have been used.
The trackers operate by continually monitoring the light intensity, and processing this information to drive the arrays’ motorised supports. At sunrise, light hitting the sensor at the rear of the control units will trigger movement back towards the east. On a completely overcast day, the panel surface adjusts to horizontal.
The control and drive systems use less than one watt of DC power from the array's output. Tracking is expected to increase this array's output by 35%.
Its long term performance can be compared to that of the fixed Trina monocrystalline array to see the gain contributed by the trackers at different times of the year.
Solar Inception delivers complete photovoltaic power plants. They are distributers for Trina Solar, a photovoltaic manufacturing company based in China.
| Electricity produced (annual): | 68.9 MWh* |
|---|---|
| System size: | 31.5 kW |
| Array area: | 6 x 40m² |
| Number of panels: | 6 x 30 |
| Panel efficiency: | 13.7% |
| Panel type: | Trina TSM 175D |
| Panel rated output: | 175 W |
| Inverter size: | 6 x 6kW SMC 6000A |
| Type of tracker: | DEGERenergie 5000NT, dual axis |
| Inverter size, type: | 6 x 6kW, SMA SMC 6000A |
*This figure is based on an assumption of 1.622 MWh annually, per kWp of installed solar panels. This may prove to be a conservative estimate for Alice Springs. A 35% gain from the tracking system has been assumed.