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Navigation: Glossary

PV Tracking System

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Type:	Input Variable
Units:	none

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are typically mounted at a fixed orientation. They can, however, be made to track the sun to maximize the incident solar radiation. PV tracking systems are classified according to the number of axes of rotation and the frequency with which the adjustments are made. HOMER can consider the following tracking systems:

•No Tracking: Panels are mounted at a fixed slope and azimuth. This is the simplest and most common case.

•Horizontal Axis, monthly adjustment: Rotation is around a horizontal east-west axis. The slope is adjusted on the first day of every month so that the sun's rays are perpendicular to the surface at noon of that day.

•Horizontal Axis, weekly adjustment: Rotation is around a horizontal east-west axis. The slope is adjusted on the first day of every week so that the sun's rays are perpendicular to the surface at noon of that day.

•Horizontal Axis, daily adjustment: Rotation is around a horizontal east-west axis. The slope is adjusted each day so that the sun's rays are perpendicular to the surface at noon.

•Horizontal Axis, continuous adjustment: Rotation is around a horizontal east-west axis. The slope is adjusted continually in order to minimize the angle on incidence.

•Vertical Axis, continuous adjustment: Rotation is around a vertical axis. The slope is fixed, but the azimuth is continually adjusted to minimize the angle of incidence.

•Two Axis: The panels are rotated around both horizontal and vertical axes so that the sun's rays are always perpendicular to the surface. This type of tracking system maximizes the power production of the PV panels, but it is the most expensive.