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Other solar products and services

Solar Trackers
Solar trackers are devices that help solar systems to track the movement of the
sun at any given period and align accordingly to the suns path as required. The
solar trackers are generally classified into two types:

Single Axis Trackers

Dual Axis Trackers

Single Axis Trackers

These trackers have only one degree of freedom i.e. they rotate along one axis
only. The single axis trackers are mostly used for utility scale photovoltaic plants
to increase the yield by 25 to 30%. The single axis trackers are further classified
into the following categories based on the axis of rotation:

Horizontal single axis tracker

Vertical single axis tracker
Tilted single axis tracker
Polar aligned single axis tracker

Horizontal Single Axis Tracker

The horizontal single axis tracker has its rotating axis parallel to the
ground. Generally the axis will be oriented in the North-South axis. This type of
single axis tracker can share a common shaft of rotation and hence is one of the
most economically viable trackers.
Vertical Single Axis Tracker
The vertical single axis tracker has its rotating axis parallel to zenith i.e. it
is perpendicular to the ground. These trackers are more effective in higher
altitudes and are extensively used where the ground is not uniform as compared
to horizontal single axis trackers. They track the sun from east to west.
Tilted Single Axis Tracker
All trackers whose axis of rotation is neither horizontal nor vertical and is
in between are classified as tilted single axis tracker. They are very similar to
vertical single axis tracker in working and hence have similar advantages.
Polar Aligned Single Axis Tracker
This is new and popular method of single axis tracking. It employs the
same method as mounting an astronomical telescope. This system has 2 axis,

but only one movable axis. The fixed axis is aligned parallel to the axis of Earths
rotation and the movable axis rotates and tracks the sun from east to west.

Dual Axis Trackers

These trackers have two degree of freedom i.e. they rotate along one
primary axis and another secondary axis. The dual axis trackers are mostly used
for utility scale solar thermal power plants to accurately track the Suns
movement. The dual axis trackers are further classified into the following
categories:

Tip-Tilt dual axis tracker

Azimuth-altitude dual axis tracker

Tip Tilt Dual Axis Tracker

The tip tilt dual axis tracker is a very simple dual axis tracker. Here the
azimuth angle is fixed and the primary axis rotates like a horizontal single axis
tracker while the secondary axis coupled with a T or H shaped mechanism
rotates it in the vertical direction. The primary axis can be shared with the
adjacent modules and hence it reduces cost of installation and is cheaper
compared to azimuth altitude dual axis tracking.
Azimuth Altitude Dual Axis Tracker
In an azimuth altitude dual axis tracker the primary axis is vertical axis
and the secondary axis is tilted with respect to the altitude angle of the Sun. the
main advantage of this system is it has higher load carrying capacity compared
to tip tilt dual axis trackers, but have lesser module density as they cannot be
placed very close to each other.
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