Solar Tracker 
A solar panel yields its maximum output when solar light falls perpendicularly on its plane. Practically, solar panels can be installed in two ways: on fixed and mobile fixtures.
In the first case, the panel will be permanently be facing South.
In the second one, the panel will be attached to a mobile mechanism, which will move it slowly in such a manner that it will follow the sun for as long as there is daylight.
Although the first option is less efficient, it's also cheaper to set up. The second one offers improved performance, but also requires additional costs with the solar tracking mechanism.
Our team made a comparative test, whose main monitored parameter was the energy efficiency of two identical panels, one in a fixed position and the other following the sun with the help of a solar tracker.
Testing conditions:
- individual panel power: 200W
- individual panel voltage: 12V
- time of the year: the month of July
- hourly time span: 6AM - 8PM (total 14h)
- weather: generally sunny
- location latitude: 45º72'
Results:
- aproximate energy delivered by the fixed panel: 826Wh
- aproximate energy delivered by the controlled panel: 1344Wh
- energy consumption of the tracking system (actuator engine + solar
tracker controller): 5,80Wh, which is approximately 0,43% of the total
energy gain
The net energy gain derived from using the solar tracker amounted to
some 500Wh, which is significant. Sun tracking gain is most
obvious during the cold season, when daylight is shorter. Aside from
that, a battery pack correctly charged has a longer life span.
- a solar tracking device can control several identical actuators
- any kind of solar energy collecting devices can can be controlled with the help of adequate fixtures, be they hot water panels, parabolic mirrors etc.
The solar tracker includes:
- a controller electronic circuit plus two optical sensors
- a weatherproof box
- a 2m power supply and control cable (4 wires)
- - solar panel mounting braces
- - parabolic dish polar or H-H mount (for example)
- - (parabolic dish) linear actuator
