Different Classifications of Tracking Mounts

Tracking Mounts
At a given location, the solar altitude angle changes continuously throughout the day. Therefore, the optimal tilt angle of a photovoltaic array for receiving the maximum solar radiation also varies over time. The function of a tracking system is to determine the real-time position of the sun using algorithms and monitor the motor rotation angle through motor encoders, ensuring that the sun is always aligned with the solar panels to achieve the maximum incident solar radiation energy. While ensuring the safe operation of the mount, tracking mounts calculate the optimal power generation angle of the modules in real time based on their maximum power generation performance under different weather conditions. Common types are as follows.

Type 1: Horizontal Single-Axis Tracking Mount
The axis of the horizontal single-axis tracking mount is oriented north-south, and the modules rotate from east to west to track the sun's azimuth angle. Its advantages include foundation accuracy requirements no higher than those of fixed mounts, low civil engineering costs, savings in pile foundations, multi-point support, strong wind resistance, low structural costs, low levelized cost of energy, high return rate, and high cost-effectiveness.

Type 2: Tilted Single-Axis Tracking Mount
The axis of the tilted single-axis tracking mount is oriented north-south, with the north end higher than the south end. Compared to the horizontal single-axis mount, it is more conducive to capturing solar radiation. Its advantages include foundation accuracy requirements no higher than those of fixed mounts, low civil engineering costs, and better suitability for high-latitude regions. Its disadvantages include relatively poor wind resistance, large land occupation, higher price, and lower return rate and cost-effectiveness in large-scale ground-mounted power plants.

Type 3: Dual-Axis Tracking Mount
The dual-axis tracking system can track both the sun's azimuth angle and altitude angle, enabling precise real-time solar tracking. Its advantage is that it achieves the highest power generation increase among all mount types, capable of improving power generation by 25% to 35% compared to fixed mounts. Its disadvantages include high price, large initial investment, significant land occupation (approximately twice that of fixed mounts), and high maintenance costs, resulting in low cost-effectiveness in large-scale ground-mounted power plants.