Solar Tracker

Solar Tracker

When designing and installing a solar power system for your property, you have several unique ways to choose. But if you prefer to have a ground-mounted solar panel installation, it would be better to consider a solar tracking system so you can get the maximum amount of sunlight to power your house. For today’s article, we will discuss what a solar tracker is, its type, how this tracking system works, and is it ideal for your solar project.

What are Solar Trackers?

A solar tracker is a device use to direct solar PV modules toward the sun to emit a maximum amount of sunlight. Generally, these solar devices automatically change their orientation throughout the day to follow the sun’s path across the to maximize solar energy capture. Solar trackers are usually used with solar panel systems, particularly ground-mounted solar panels and other large-capacity and free-standing solar power installations like solar farms. 

Through this device, the PV panels can directly follow the sun’s pathway to generate more solar energy, powering your entire commercial and industrial property. It is not common in most small solar projects like in the residential areas since it entails a high price tag, which is not that ideal for homeowners.  

Types of Solar Tracker

Solar trackers are usually categorized based on which direction they move. A solar tracker can be either Single-axis solar tracker or Dual axis solar tracker.

• Single-axis solar tracker 

Single-axis trackers follow the sun’s orientation, moving from east to west. They also have different types, such as horizontal, vertical, tilted, and polar aligned, which move as the names suggest. These solar trackers are typically used in large utility-scale solar projects. A single-axis tracker can increase solar power production between 25% to 35%. 

• Dual-axis solar tracker 

Dual-axis solar tracker does not only moves from east to west but also follows the sun’s movement in the north and south direction. Usually, these solar trackers constantly face the sun and can move in two different directions, namely tip-tilt and azimuth altitude. They are more common among residential and small commercial properties that have limited ground space. 

How Does Solar Tracker Works?

A solar tracking system maximizes your solar panel system’s power production by tracking and moving the PV panels to follow the sun’s orientation throughout the day. They usually optimize the angle at which your solar panels receive solar energy. 

Typically, a solar tracking device is connected to the racking system of the solar panels. From there, it allows the solar PV panels to move along with the movement of the sun. Generally, the solar tracking system movements are dependent on what type of solar tracking equipment is used.

How Much Does a Solar Tracker Cost? 

Solar trackers can greatly increase the cost of a photovoltaic solar installation. Solar tracker costs depend on many factors like its type, solar mounting type, and the number of panels. To give you an estimate the solar tracking equipment can cost around $500 per panel to more than $1,000 per panel. 

Is Solar Tracker Worth your Investment?

In most cases, the solar tracker device is not worth additional investment for your solar projects, particularly for small solar projects like residential ones. Although they help in generating more solar power, their cost can adversely add to the final cost of your solar panels. Solar trackers only become valuable when you have a large utility-scale but have very limited space to install a lot of solar panels. But if you have enough space for additional solar panels, then a solar tracker is not that advisable to have. 

OEM

Custom Made Solar Products OEM

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer which is commonly referred to as a company that manufactures and offers parts and accessories of items that are used as components of a product from another company. To sum it up, OEM commonly manufactures specific items on behalf of brands. Though OEM typically operates in the computer and technology industries, it also works in the solar industry.

Factories for White Label Solar Products

In the case of the solar industry, most solar companies work with solar OEMs to build and design their own solar products such as solar panels, cells, modules, etc. OEM becomes their outsourcing partner that helps them in assembling and reproducing their solar products.

Nowadays, a huge number of solar companies, particularly those large solar manufacturing companies, are partnering with outstanding solar OEMs to deliver the best quality solar products to their solar customers. Mainly, the reason is, these solar OEMs help solar manufacturers cut down their production costs since they no longer have to operate their own factories, purchase needed materials and hire labour to produce their solar products.

As a solar manufacturing company, the first thing you need to consider is to find the most reliable solar OEM in the market. One of the biggest perks of the internet these days is you can now easily find these OEMs even in the comfort of your home. With the help of a solar outsourcing marketplace such as SolarFeeds.com, you can easily find the most reliable and right OEM partner for your solar company. Solar outsourcing marketplace helps solar industry professionals gather accurate and timely information about solar including the list of most trusted Solar Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Iraq

Solar Market Outlook in Iraq

For many years now, Iraq has been solid in its commitment in clean energy by attracting investors in solar equipment and power plants. In terms of renewable energy sources, the majority of them are dedicated to solar energy and are favorable for the country given that it receives a large amount of sunlight per year in most of its regions.

As of 2021, Iraq has reached various deals with private sectors in order to continue rolling out its solar projects and meet its renewable energy target in the next few years. One of them is the June 2021 deal with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar (also known as the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) wherein a 2 GW solar energy plant will be constructed. This project will cost approximately $1 Billion. This is just one of many steps that Iraq has taken in order to curb its reliance on traditional energy sources, diversify its energy mix, and to reduce carbon emissions. The last one – reducing pollution – is a strong motivator for the Iraqi government given that the country ranks 12th in the world in terms of pollution.

TotalEnergies from France is also set to build a 1GW solar park in Southern Iraq. This was announced in September 2021 and the project will cost $27 Billion. 

Solar Energy Equipment Supply Capacity in Iraq

Despite the promising future of the solar market in Iraq, there is a limited number of local suppliers and distributors. There is no shortage of global and online distributors and suppliers for those who want to switch to solar energy in Iraq. 

Top Major Seaports & Logistics in Iraq

There are plenty of seaports in Iraq for the trade and transport of solar power equipment namely

• the Port of Basrah,
• Port of Khor Al Zubair,
• Port of Umm Qasr, 
• the Port of Mina Al Bakr.