Polycrystalline silicon array, single axis tracker
Single axis trackers adjust the east-west orientation of an array, to increase its solar exposure through the day.
Solar panels are best able to generate electricity from light hitting their surface at a right angle. Adjusting their surface to follow the path of the sun will increase their electricity production.
These trackers are an “active” system, driven by motors according to a pre-programmed schedule. The arrays are returned to the east after sunset.
Using a program to angle the trackers will not necessarily always find the direction with the greatest amount of light like light sensitive trackers – however its single line of motion causes less wear on the motor. The tracker is powered from the array’s DC output.
| Electricity produced (annual): | 10.9 MWh* |
|---|---|
| System size: | 5 x 1.1 kW |
| Array area: | 5 x 8.1 m² |
| Number of panels: | 5 x 8 |
| Panel efficiency: | 13.5% |
| Panel type: | Kyocera KD135GX |
| Panel rated output: | 135 W |
| Inverter size, type: | 5kW, SMA SMC 5000A |
| Type of tracker: | BW Solar 5 Star Tracker |
*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 gain of 25% has been assumed for the tracker.