Dual-axis solar trackers are designed to optimize solar panel orientation by adjusting both horizontally (east-west) and vertically (tilt) to follow the sun’s path precisely throughout the day and across seasons. This dual adjustment allows panels to maintain a near-perfect angle relative to the sun’s rays, maximizing energy capture.
In regions where seasonal sunlight changes are minimal—such as areas near the equator—single-axis trackers, which only move east to west, are often considered sufficient because the sun’s altitude varies little over the year. However, dual-axis trackers still offer some advantages:
- While the vertical (tilt) adjustment of dual-axis trackers primarily benefits regions with significant seasonal shifts in solar altitude, in minimal seasonal-change regions the extra vertical movement provides less incremental gain, but still can slightly optimize the panel angle throughout the day, improving performance compared to fixed or single-axis systems.
- Studies indicate dual-axis trackers can increase solar panel efficiency by up to 60% over fixed-tilt systems, a larger margin than single-axis trackers, which typically boost energy capture by about 25-35%. However, the relative advantage of dual-axis over single-axis trackers diminishes in low seasonal variation zones because the sun’s altitude remains fairly constant.
- In climates with minimal seasonal changes, the cost and complexity of dual-axis trackers might not justify the incremental energy gains, making single-axis trackers a more cost-effective choice.
- Despite this, dual-axis trackers provide the most precise solar tracking by compensating for any slight vertical shifts, maintaining optimal incident angles, which can be valuable for maximizing output in any setting, especially if maximizing yield is critical.
In summary, in regions with minimal seasonal sunlight changes, dual-axis trackers still perform well and deliver the highest theoretical energy yields due to their precise solar tracking. However, the performance benefits over single-axis trackers are less pronounced than in regions with significant seasonal variation. Single-axis trackers are often adequate and more cost-effective in such stable solar conditions, but dual-axis trackers provide the best optimization if cost and complexity are not a primary concern.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-dual-axis-trackers-perform-in-regions-with-minimal-seasonal-sunlight-changes/
